Informative Essay: What Does Freedom Of Speech Means
In this essay, I explain what I believe "freedom of speech" should mean. "Freedom of speech" is guaranteed in the United States Constitution, but is also a principle generally accepted by democracies. However, I'm explaining my views on what it should mean, not how it is understood by courts or other bodies.
Freedom of speech is often invoked in defence of offensive comments and works of art. At the other extreme, it is generally accepted that freedom of speech does not include a right to, quoting an oft-used example, yell "fire" in a crowded building that is not actually on fire. Various limits to what one is allowed to say are generally accepted, and include forbidding libel and slander, at least to some extent.
In my opinion, freedom of …show more content…
...gives one the right to argue that offensive works of art are acceptable, but does not give artists the right to produce or display offensive art.
Of course just because the freedom-of-speech principle does not give one these rights does not mean that we don't have such rights for other reasons. So freedom of speech...
...gives one the right to argue that homeschooling is okay, but does not give one the right to homeschool. But in many jurisdictions that right exists anyway.
Some may wonder that I've included in the lists above actions that are not "speech", such as abortion. But the point is that the freedom-of-speech principle is the right to express (or argue) a view on something, whether that "something" is related to speech (e.g. swearing) or not. Further, it is clear that courts have taken the view that the principle is not confined just to speech, but any expression of one's views, whether speech, writing, artwork, or etc.
Freedom of speech is a principle applicable at the level of society. It does not extend to a home, for example. If you visit a friend, and he doesn't want you expressing a view on a topic in his home, then you have no right to do
Freedom of speech is often invoked in defence of offensive comments and works of art. At the other extreme, it is generally accepted that freedom of speech does not include a right to, quoting an oft-used example, yell "fire" in a crowded building that is not actually on fire. Various limits to what one is allowed to say are generally accepted, and include forbidding libel and slander, at least to some extent.
In my opinion, freedom of …show more content…
...gives one the right to argue that offensive works of art are acceptable, but does not give artists the right to produce or display offensive art.
Of course just because the freedom-of-speech principle does not give one these rights does not mean that we don't have such rights for other reasons. So freedom of speech...
...gives one the right to argue that homeschooling is okay, but does not give one the right to homeschool. But in many jurisdictions that right exists anyway.
Some may wonder that I've included in the lists above actions that are not "speech", such as abortion. But the point is that the freedom-of-speech principle is the right to express (or argue) a view on something, whether that "something" is related to speech (e.g. swearing) or not. Further, it is clear that courts have taken the view that the principle is not confined just to speech, but any expression of one's views, whether speech, writing, artwork, or etc.
Freedom of speech is a principle applicable at the level of society. It does not extend to a home, for example. If you visit a friend, and he doesn't want you expressing a view on a topic in his home, then you have no right to do