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Single Idea 22829

[filed under theme 25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 3. Free speech ]

Full Idea

The argument for restricting defamatory speech is that unrestricted speech makes it impossible, or too difficult, to distinguish between those who deserve a trustworthy reputation and those who don't - a distinction in society's best interests.

Gist of Idea

Allowing defamatory speech is against society's interests, by blurring which people are trustworthy

Source

John Charvet (Liberalism: the basics [2019], 03)

Book Ref

Charvet,John: 'Liberalism: the basics' [Routledge 2019], p.18

A Reaction

A nice example of appeal to the common good, in opposition to the normal freedoms of liberalism. An example of the Prisoner's Dilemma. Should assertion of the common good of a group be a prime value of liberalism?

The 16 ideas with the same theme [extent to which opinions can be freely expressed]:

1766 Diogenes said that the most excellent thing among men was freedom of speech [Diogenes of Sin., by Diog. Laertius]
20481 Nothing we say can be worse than unsaying it in the face of authority [Montaigne]
19942 Treason may be committed as much by words as by deeds [Spinoza]
20009 Freedom of speech and writing, within the law, is essential to preserve liberty [Montesquieu]
2233 No government has ever suffered by being too tolerant of philosophy [Hume]
21058 Enlightenment requires the free use of reason in the public realm [Kant]
19859 Free speech is very precious, and everyone may speak and write freely (but take responsibility for it) [Mirabeau/committee]
21487 The freedom of the press to sell poison outweighs its usefulness [Schopenhauer]
7213 Liberty arises at the point where people can freely and equally discuss things [Mill]
22681 The liberty of the press is more valuable for what it prevents than what it promotes [Tocqueville]
23819 Deliberate public lying should be punished [Weil]
22268 If persons define themselves by a group membership, insults to that group are a real harm [Sandel]
22267 In the liberal view an insult to my group doesn't hurt me, since I'm defined by choices not groups [Sandel]
20586 Free speech does not include the right to shout 'Fire!' in a crowded theatre [Tuckness/Wolf]
22829 Allowing defamatory speech is against society's interests, by blurring which people are trustworthy [Charvet]
23136 Liberal free speech is actually paid speech [Gopnik]