The Art of Always Being Right by A.C. Grayling Summary
Overview of The Art of Always Being Right
Ever wondered why some people always win arguments? Schopenhauer's controversial guide, edited by Grayling, reveals 38 devious rhetorical tactics that Boris Johnson endorses and the Financial Times warns readers about. Master the dark art that made the Observer recommend "keep this delightful essay at your side."
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Key takeaways
The Battlefield of Words: When Winning Trumps Truth
Have you ever walked away from an argument feeling victorious, even when you suspected you might be wrong? Since ancient Greece, humans have been perfecting the dubious art of winning debates at any cost. Schopenhauer's "The Art of Always Being Right" exposes these manipulative techniques not as a handbook for the dishonest, but as a shield against those who would use rhetoric to deceive. The tension between seeking truth and seeking victory defines our intellectual exchanges-from casual conversations to high-stakes political debates. This tension isn't new; the ancient Sophists commercialized argument, teaching rhetorical tricks to ambitious young men for substantial fees, much to the disgust of Socrates and Plato who championed sincere inquiry through questioning. Today's political discourse shows how little has changed. Modern media training explicitly teaches these ancient arts-how to "bridge" away from uncomfortable questions or "pivot" to preferred talking points. Our natural vanity, particularly sensitive regarding intellectual powers, rarely allows us to admit being wrong. Even when we realize our error, we persist in defending our position, transforming discussions into battles for dominance rather than understanding.
The Arsenal of Deception: 38 Ways to Win Without Being Right
Setting Traps: The Psychology of Manipulation
Emotional Warfare: When Logic Fails, Attack the Person
The Authority Trap: When Credentials Replace Reasoning
Playing to the Crowd: The Public Relations Approach
Beyond Winning: The Higher Path of Intellectual Integrity
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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