The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth

By Jonathan Rauch

In a world awash in misinformation and disinformation, it is more important than ever to defend the truth. In his new book, The Constitution of Knowledge, Jonathan Rauch argues that truth is essential to a free and democratic society, and that we must do everything we can to protect it.

Rauch begins by defining truth as "a statement that corresponds to reality." He then argues that truth is necessary for us to make sense of the world and to make informed decisions. Without truth, we would be lost in a sea of conflicting claims and would be unable to distinguish between fact and fiction.

The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth

by Jonathan Rauch

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5082 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	384 pages

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Rauch also argues that truth is essential for democracy. In a democracy, citizens must be able to trust that their leaders are telling them the truth. If citizens cannot trust the truthfulness of their leaders, then they cannot make informed decisions about who to vote for or what policies to support.

Rauch is not naive about the challenges of defending truth in the age of misinformation and disinformation. He acknowledges that there are powerful forces that are working to undermine trust in the truth. These forces include:

• The rise of social media, which has made it easier for people to spread misinformation and disinformation.
• The decline of traditional media, which has led to a loss of trust in the institutions that have traditionally been responsible for informing the public.
• The rise of political polarization, which has made it more difficult for people to agree on what is true.

Despite these challenges, Rauch believes that it is possible to defend the truth. He argues that we need to:

• Educate people about the importance of truth.
• Support independent journalism.
• Hold our leaders accountable for telling the truth.
• Be willing to challenge misinformation and disinformation when we see it.

Rauch's book is a powerful and timely defense of truth. It is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of our democracy.

About the Author

Jonathan Rauch is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and a contributing editor at The Atlantic. He is the author of several books, including The Constitution of Knowledge and Kindly Inquisitors: The New Attacks on Free Thought.

Praise for The Constitution of Knowledge

"A brilliant and timely defense of truth. Rauch shows us why truth is essential to a free and democratic society, and how we can protect it in the age of misinformation and disinformation." —Fareed Zakaria

"An important and provocative book. Rauch challenges us to think deeply about the nature of truth and the threats it faces today." —Cass Sunstein

"A must-read for anyone who cares about the future of our democracy." —Anne Applebaum

The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth

by Jonathan Rauch

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5082 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	384 pages

FREE