- Freedom of speech: what are its proper boundaries?
- Should freedom of speech extend to include pornography and to what degree?
- Now that the internet is available, what kinds of censorship are permissible?
Tell us what you think about this issue! Are there any other questions you have about this topic?
To respond to the first point; how can we erect boundaries if freedom is the goal? How can you be free and have limitations? Freedom of speech dictates that you can express anything without it being considered incriminating. Freedom of speech is the unrestricted use(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freedom definition 8) of language, and any concept that has been voiced abides to this freedom. Thus, anything we say or write, or communicate in any facet, is free, and there should be no restrictions to this freedom. If there were, the concept of freedom of speech would be nullified.
ReplyDeletePornography should be distributed in a legal manner; those who appear under 30 years of age should be asked for identification before entering shops that provide these sexual potentiators. This does not make a difference to those who view pornography legally, but for those who do not, it provides not only a means for them to access illegal pornography, but also a means for their IP addresses to be tracked, proving them a criminal. Although allowing them momentary pleasure, the consequences will be far worse.
Lastly, on the subject of the internet, as long as minors are not being sexually exploited, people should be free to say anything they want to. That which is read should be interpreted as it was meant to be said by the writer, and profanity is solely a different means of expressing oneself.
This entire comment is based on freedom of speech. If I was limited to what I could say, none of this would be posted. But then again, as long as one can speak, freedom of speech cannot be abolished, only punished. Nobody can destroy freedom of speech, they can only malign it's ideology.
Thank you for your comment Jakob. Are you suggesting that freedom of speech should exist in the absence of any limits? Wouldn't that equate to something akin to anarchy? I've always thought that freedoms should not be limited unless it is reasonable to do so. Sorry if this is sounding legal - but I would say my philosophy on this is strongly impacted by studying law. An example of a reasonable limit would be hate propaganda. When in comes to freedom, I believe my right to swing my arm ends where my neighbour's nose begins.
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ReplyDeleteFreedom of speech is connected to pornography because freedom of speech includes freedom of expression. Some people may look at something, like a piece of art, and suggest it is pornographic. Others may suggest it is just expression.
ReplyDeleteIn the words of Voltaire, "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
ReplyDeleteI'd much rather see crazy scat porn, or death and violence than watching other peoples opinions be oppressed. if you don't like it, don't read it, it's all your own discretion.