Dissenting

Dissenting is the present participle form of the verb dissent, meaning to hold or express disagreement with an established idea, policy, decision, or majority view. It can describe a person who voices such disagreement or the act itself, as in a dissenting opinion or a dissenting voice in a debate. In everyday use, dissenting opinions challenge prevailing consensus and may offer alternative analyses, data, or values.

In law, a dissenting opinion is written by a judge who disagrees with the majority ruling. It explains the judge's reasons and may critique the legal reasoning, misinterpretation of precedents, or implications of the decision. Dissent can be separate from concurring opinions: a concurrence agrees with the outcome but not necessarily the majority reasoning. Although a dissent does not change the immediate decision, it can influence future cases, reform, or statutory interpretation, and some dissents become influential over time.

The concept also appears in political organizations, scientific communities, or corporate governance, where dissenting voices can broaden inquiry and prevent groupthink. Protections for dissent vary by country and institution, with principles of free expression, academic freedom, or internal governance rules supporting the right to dissent.