5) Pilot Discussion: Free Speech & Its Limits
When, if ever, is it justified to restrict speech (e.g., hate speech, misinformation, incitement)? Who decides, and how?
How do legal standards (e.g., in the U.S. vs. Europe) differ in their approach to these questions?
Who tends to benefit from broad speech protections, and who might be harmed?
Is “cancel culture” real? Is it justified or problematic?
Read This:
- Wax, A. (2018), ‘What can’t be debated on campus’, The Wall Street Journal, 16 February.
- Zimmer, P.R.J. and Isaacs, P.E.D. (2014), Report of the Committee on Freedom of Expression, Chicago: University of Chicago.
- Howard, J. (2024), ‘Freedom of Speech’, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
- ‘A Letter on Justice and Open Debate,’ Harper’s Magazine, July 7, 2020.
- The Objective (2020), ‘A More Specific Letter on Justice and Open Debate’, The Objective, July 10.
Do This:
Classwork:
Debate, Deliberation, Discussion
Homework:
Write a reflection about today’s discussion. How comfortable did you feel? Did your opinion change at all? Which points were especially persuasive and why?
Watch This:
S. Pinker, Human Rationality and Academic Freedom:
Listen To This:
J. Howard, Dangerous Speech: