"Focusing on what makes free speech free is fundamental to our moral and political futures. Because free speech, properly conceived, is not just about the right to say what one wants. It is also about being the kind of person who has been so conscientious in their thinking, learning and discussion that they have become a free subject whose speech is directed toward the pursuit of truth."
"If we are beholden to prejudice, or hatred, or the pursuit of profit, or a desire to manipulate others, then our speech is constrained by these ulterior ends and not free. Mill in fact criticizes those who think it enough if a person assents undoubtingly to what they think true, though he has no knowledge whatever of the grounds of the opinion. For our speech to become free, we have to undertake due study and preparation."
Free speech properly conceived depends on free thought: speech must originate from conscientious thinking, learning, and discussion directed toward pursuing truth. Speech is genuine only when speakers are open to criticism, willing to learn, and have compared beliefs with experience and reality. Speech motivated by prejudice, hatred, profit, or manipulation lacks freedom because ulterior ends constrain expression. Achieving freedom in speech requires due study, preparation, humility, skepticism, and learning the best arguments from differing viewpoints before forming considered conclusions. A trial-and-error attitude and engagement with others are essential to becoming a free subject whose speech seeks truth.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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