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Position:Home>Philosophy> What does Freedom of Speech really mean?Question: What does Freedom of Speech really mean!? "I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it!."
I do not recall who made this quote!. I know it was part of a conversation between two British politicans durintg eighteenth century!. But this quote represents to me the true meaning of the Freedom of speech!. Would you defend everyone's elses right to voice his opinion, no matter how much you disagree with it!?Www@QuestionHome@Com Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Slander is just someone's opinion, and that is illegal!. Reputations and futures are built on what people say!. If it harms someone, should speech be completely free!? I am on your side!. My freedom and yours to speak our opinion is what makes this country great, but I believe there should be limits, however, in giving someone power to impose limits, where do you stop him from going too far!. For example: Slander, exactly how do you draw the line between what is harmful to someone and what is not!. That line continuously gets redrawn every day!. Tabloid papers test the limits of the statute every day!. Calling someone a thief is slanderous unless it's true, and stealing words is commonplace, so everyone is at one time or other a thief!. Obama and his wife are finding out the hard way what people are allowed to say just outside the boundaries of slander!. Ross Perot gave up on trying not to be misquoted!. Teachers have lost their professions because a student lied about an affair with them, and even when the truth came out, people still suspected the teacher, and his reputation is ruined!. I wouldn't live in a country without freedom of speech, but with that freedom should come the responsibility for what you say!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Freedom to self-express!. Freedom to communicate ideas in intellectual pursuits!. Although, I do think people have a right not to hear you out!.!.!. and they have the right to be protected from undue, out-of-context obscenity and insult!. Furthermore, I think people have a right to be protected from slander and libel (which are defined as UNTRUE statements!. It isnt slander or libel if its true - which is yet another form of communicating truth and knowledge) Essentially, I believe in the right to knowledge!. That means the right to books, the right to schools, the right to the internet!. I think the deliberate propagation of lies and deception should be illegalized!.Www@QuestionHome@Com No!. I don't think all forms of speech deserve equal protection!. Many forms of speech are prohibited and for good reason!. Things like slander and fighting words and, in some places hate speech, offer nothing of value, actually harm others and society, and often shouldn't be protected!. If the true meaning of the Freedom of Speech is to be legally able to say anything, regardless of the consequences, we never have had free speech and likely never will have free speech, and it seems to be quite a good thing!. The meaningful kind of free speech at the least doesn't do things like harm others or incite hatred or (unjustified)violence!. The answer to your question would really depend on the nature of the "disagreement"!. If it is a bigoted opinion which is designed to incite violence or hate, I do not think it is worth defending!. If it is just a contrary opinion, then it likely is!. Sure there may be some grey areas, but that is the nature of the law (there are grey areas in regards to slander, for example!.)Www@QuestionHome@Com Yes (to your question at the bottom of your paragraphs)!. We should all be free to say whatever we want, within the law> But that does not mean that it is wise to say whatever we want!. I might say to my best friend that, if the truth be known, that I would like to have sex with his wife!. That would be free speech indeed, but would it be wise!? On the other hand, political correctness, while at times apparently a good idea, is nevertheless very dangerous to liberty!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I'm a black feminist, but I will happily defend the rights of patriarchal white supremacists to express themselves and their opinions!. The ACLU defends both the KKK and Planned Parenthood!. Absolutely everyone deserves a fair shake!. That's the real meaning of democracy!.Www@QuestionHome@Com There is a fine line between freedom of speech and threatening someone!. If what you say is not threatening to life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness, then I would fight for your right to say it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Look up affirmative action!. It means the same thing except with speech!. =) E!.g!. If you're a minority (not a white male) nobody can say anything bad about you!. Say anything you want as long you don't say something "bad" about a minority! Otherwise those ultra PC people will get ya!!!Www@QuestionHome@Com no but i do respect a persons opinion, and would like to have the same respect given to me even if it is an argument!.-blureyWww@QuestionHome@Com Yes, i believe anyone can say what they want but social conditions often mean we can't not because it is disallowed but because it is unapproved ofWww@QuestionHome@Com It means to express yourself freely with words!. I believe in freedom of speech-in fact it's one of my favorite freedoms!.Www@QuestionHome@Com |