Freedom Of Speech And Expression Philosophy Essay

Freedom Of Speech And Expression Philosophy Essay Critically analyze the following statement, which is often attributed to Voltaire I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. All humans live in societies. In these societies rules of behavior are very important in order for people to treat their fellow human beings equally. These rules of behavior are commonly called human rights. Human Rights are universal and thus apply to all people on the basis of being human regardless sex, race, nationality, sexual orientation, political opinion or any other status. As Michael Douglas said Human Rights for everyone is the necessary foundation upon which all of us may build a world where everybody may live in peace and serenity and plenty.   In this course of paper we are going to examine the right to freedom of expression which has seized particular importance. This will be achieved by discussing a famous quotation which is usually attributed to Voltaire; I may disapprove of what you say but I will fight to death for your right to say it. Through this quotation we are going to see and understand the importance of this valuable right in our societies. During our discussion we should always bear in mind that none of the fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, is absolute. Main Body Origin of the quotation To start with, although there are more ancient precedents, freedom of expression as it is known today has its basis from the period of Enlightenment. One of the philosophers and political thinkers of that period was Voltaire, a French thinker, who believed strongly in freedom of expression and was a significant contributor to Enlightenment movement. The well known phrase I may disapprove of what you say but I will fight to death for your right to say it is widely attributed to him but it cannot be found in his writings. This can be easily understood since the phrase was firstly appeared in The friends of Voltaire written by Evelyn Beatrice Hall. Hall claimed that this phrase was an epitome of Voltaires attitude and that she has paraphrased Voltaires words; Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too, in his essay of Tolerance. International standards As indicated in the introduction, the importance of the free expression as a basic and valuable characteristic of democratic society cannot be underestimated. As a result the development of international human rights system which serves as a framework for freedom of expression is of particular interest. All major human rights treaties protect this right: article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights, article 19 of international covenant on civil and political rights, article 13 of the American Convention on Human Rights and article 9 of the African Charter on Human and People Rights. Freedom of Expression and its importance As we have seen I am using freedom of expression instead of freedom of speech since I view the latter as an umbrella that incorporates the former. Freedom of expression is wider since it includes any form of communication that is capable of conveying meaning. For example behinds including words; it is used for pictures, images, sounds, non-verbal communication etc. As Michael Jackson said The meaning of life is contained in every single expression of life. In practice, freedom of expression serves many functions which are related to each other. First of all, a classic defense of the right to freedom of expression is the one that John Stuart Mill argued On Liberty in 1859. He stated that nobody has the monopoly of truthà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.Anyone has the right to express their views and opinions because truth is not a monopoly term. If people disagree with minoritys opinion should use counter arguments and not suppression. As it was stated in Bose Corporation v Consumers Union  [1]  freedom to speak ones mind is not only of individual liberty but also essential to the common quest for truth and the vitality of society as a whole. Generally in Europeans court of human rights case law, it has been made clear that freedom of expression is guaranteed not only with respect to popular and favorably receivable ideas or information, but also to those that offend shock or disturb. Furthermore, its vital role in ensuring democracy is undisputable and it has been recognized by scholars and judgments of international and national courts. For example In Handyside v UK  [2]  it was stated that freedom of expression in one of the essential foundations of a democratic society and one of the basic conditions for its progress and for the development of every man and woman. As Thomas Carlyle said Every human being has the right to hear what other human beings have spoken to him. It is one of the Rights of Men; a very cruel injustice if you deny it to a man. As it was also stated in Castells v Spain  [3]  it enables everyone to participate in political which is at the core of the concept of democratic society. Philosopher Alexander Meiklejohn argues that the concept of democracy is that of self government by the people. For such a system to work an informed electorate and free flow of information and ideas is necessary. If citizens are able to exercise their righ ts effectively, their wishes would be taken into account and also tyranny, corruption and ineptitude would be restrained. This can only be achieved through open discussion, exchange of opinions in which citizens can have the opportunity to consider and debate alternative ideas. Freedom of expression is important at all levels in society but most important for government. A government which does not know how and what people feel and think is in dangerous position. When criticisms of the government are freely voiced, government has the opportunity to respond to those comments and explain its actions. Thirdly, freedom of expression is an important aspect of an individuals self fulfillment which is a desirable objective. As we all know expression is tied up with humanity since what distinguishes us from animals is the ability that we have to communicate and express our feelings. So we can understand that all people must have the opportunity to express their views; wrong or right, in order to explore and develop their own personal identity. Otherwise we would not be able to be developed both morally and intellectually as individuals and this look like a restriction of our humanity. Summarizing all these, freedom of expression has two dimensions. It has the individual dimension of not to be prevented from manifesting ones own thinking, and the collective right to receive any information and to hear expression of anothers thought.  [4]  As we can understand protection of free expression is meaningless if it does not also extend to ideas and opinions that are generally not acceptable. When citizens are unable to talk to each other, they will increasingly talk against each other, and thus will increasingly misunderstand and mistrust each other.  [5]  As we have seen in many cases of the European court of Human Rights it was said that defense of offensive opinions is one of the demands of pluralism, tolerance and broadmindness without which we can not talk about democratic society. Tolerance is integral and a basic value in our societies. Protecting unpopular opinions is itself an act of tolerance. Also John Stuart Mill supported the idea that we must active ly work against the tyranny of majority opinion. The fact that majority holds an opinion does not necessarily makes it to be true. For example, regarding decision-making we have to consider range of ideas, and a decision is likely to be better if it does not underestimate opinions, interests and needs of minority. Liberals like Voltaire encourage open verbal and written debate, free flow of arguments, free press, art etc. Generally they support that only through open discourse we can learn from others and also encourage others to learn from us. If we not value toleration for unpopular opinions, then we reject our right to live in a tolerant society. As Nigel Warburton said commitment to free speech involves protecting the speech that you dont want to hear as well as the speech that you do. This means that is not enough to express what you want but also not prevent others from doing so. Freedom of Expression and its limits (briefly) However its importance, right of expression may be subjected to some restrictions for respect of rights of other or other values. As Judge Oliver Wendell Holmes stated free speech does not allow one to shout Fire in a crowded theatre. By this he meant that good ideas are those which survive the criticisms and are allowed for further development, in contrast with bad ideas which do not survive criticisms at all. Limitations for freedom of expression may follow the harm or the offence principle. John Stuart Mill introduced what is known as harm principle, stating that freedom of expression can be restricted in order to prevent harm to others. In contrast Joel Feinberg introduced offence principle, arguing that Mills harm principle does not provide sufficient protection against the wrongful behaviors of others. He suggested that some factors must be taken into account when applying his principle. Nowadays although the wording in article 10 paragraph 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights and article 19 paragraph 3 of international covenant on civil and political rights differs, the case law has proved that limitations to freedom of expression are relatively the same in both articles. Although both articles are important we are going just to see briefly the European test. Restrictions can only be applied if they meet the three-part test made by ECtHR  [6]  . Thus they must be prescribed by law, serve a specific legitimate aim and also be necessary in a democratic society. When assessing the restrictions we must always bear in mind the test of proportionality and also each countrys margin of appreciation. Conclusion To sum up all the above, we come to the conclusion that freedom of expression is important for the growth of our species. Our world is increasingly integrated, thus we have to be mature enough to understand that such integration comes with things that we may not want to see and with ideas, opinions and views that we may not like and may not want to hear. Based on the fact that freedom of expression is the most important ability of human beings, every person should have the right to express itself. As the Desmond Tutu maintained the more we recognize people as people, the more we are recognized as people ourselves; and vice versa: the more we degrade other people, the more we debase ourselves further and further away from being fully human. Generally as what Noam Chomsky has stated in the twentieth century If you believe in freedom of speech, you believe in freedom of speech for views you dont like. Stalin and Hitler, for example, were dictators in favor of speech for views they liked only. If youre in favor of freedom of speech, that means youre in favor of freedom of speech precisely for views you despise.  [7]  However we must know that although freedom of expression is a precious gift for people it must not exceeds its limits, thus why restrictions related to this right can be easily understood. After all the above analysis I would like to close, with the main theme of this paper I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Essay about Curley’s wife -- English Literature

Essay about Curley’s wife Curley’s wife is the only female character in the novel Of Mice of Men; Curley’s wife is never given a name and is only referred to in reference to her husband. Like the other people on the ranch, she is very lonely and has dreams of a better life which never come true. The author John Steinbeck introduces Curley’s wife in a symbolic ness way, this is shown when George is talking to Lennie about the dream and when Curley’s wife first meets both the men. â€Å"Both men glanced up, for the rectangle of sunshine in the doorway was cut off. A girl was standing there looking in.† The symbolic ness of the word sunshine is hope, freedom, happiness and dreams. This foreshadows that she may cause trouble or come in the way and could ruin it all for Lennie and George. Steinbeck also describes her as a ‘girl’, which tells us that she is very playful, childish and vulnerable. Curley’s wife is trying to make her self attractive by applying make up and dressing up as if she was going to a party. This is clear shown as Steinbeck describes her â€Å"She had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes† This suggests she is trying to be provocative and incongruous. Curley’s wife also wears red, red gives the symbolic ness of danger and seductiveness. Curley’s wife is described â€Å"Heavily made up. Her fingernails were red. Her hair hung in little rolled clusters, like sausages. She wore a cotton house dress and red mules, on the insteps of which were little bouquets of red ostrich feathers.† Again the red on her fingernails and the red mules are symbolic to danger. Steinbeck is again suggesting that women are trouble makers who ruin everything for the men. Curley’s wife is in a ranch and she dresses up as if... ...alk.† Steinbeck is clearly suggesting that not a single person would trust each other on the ranch. The presentation of Curley’s wife’s death was astonishing due to the way Steinbeck described her after the death. Steinbeck is suggesting that she was under pressure, trying to gain attention and she was mean. Steinbeck described her as she was â€Å"the meanness and the planning’s and the discontent and the ache for attention were all gone from her face. She was very pretty and simple, and her face was sweet and young† This suggest that she was under pressure all the time but when she died everything was just normal. It also suggests that the entire ache for attention was just gone and a simple beautiful woman was lying dead. Overall Steinbeck is suggesting that all the characters are cruel because they’re powerless and they all want to exercise their power.

Salt: A World History

This book was chosen for review because I was looking for a book that has a history of salt and how it affects us today. Mark Kurlansky, the author of this book, earned a BA in Theater from Butler University in 1970. He has worked as a playwright at Brooklyn College, a commercial fisherman, a dock worker, a paralegal, a cook, and a pastry chef. He worked as a journalist for many companies which are, The International Herald Tribune, The Chicago Tribune, The Miami Herald, and The Philadelphia Inquirer.He had twenty-five books published and received the Pluma Plata award for Salt among many other awards. In the introduction of the book, Mark Kurlansky states how he bought a rock of salt in Cardona. He explains how the rock changed from being dry to having a puddle under it as the weather changed. He states that a person who does think that a fascination with salt is bizarre, then they have never own a rock like the one he had. Mark Kurlansky wrote this book because he is fascinated by salt and wanted to write about the history of salt and how it has been used through all these years.He wanted to provide insight of how salt is valuable to us humans. In the introduction of Salt, Kurlansky talks about his view on salt and the people and how it was used throughout history. He includes Welsh Jungian psychologist Ernest Jones input on human obsession with salt. He also includes a list from the book â€Å"One Hundred and One Uses for Diamond Crystal Salt†, by the Diamond Crystal Salt Company of St. Clair, Michigan. One of these uses is that salt keeps the colors bright on boiled vegetables.Part One is titled A Discourse on Salt, Cadavers, and Pungent Sauces and includes six chapters. At the introduction of part one there is a quote that states â€Å"A country is never as poor as when it seems filled with riches† by Laozi quoted in the Yan tie lun, A Discourse on Salt and Iron, 81 B. C. In chapter one, he explains how because of Lake Yuncheng, a lake of sal ty water in China, caused many wars because many civilizations were fighting for it.In chapter two, Kurlansky correctly explains how salt was used to preserve fish, birds by the technique of disembowelment and salting. Also, he includes how the Egyptian people bodies were preserved because of the dry, salty desert sand that they were buried in. In chapter three, the discovery of salt miners in the Durnberg mountain mine. The bodies were dried and preserved and the bright colors of their clothing was preserved by the salt. Salt: A World History This book was chosen for review because I was looking for a book that has a history of salt and how it affects us today. Mark Kurlansky, the author of this book, earned a BA in Theater from Butler University in 1970. He has worked as a playwright at Brooklyn College, a commercial fisherman, a dock worker, a paralegal, a cook, and a pastry chef. He worked as a journalist for many companies which are, The International Herald Tribune, The Chicago Tribune, The Miami Herald, and The Philadelphia Inquirer.He had twenty-five books published and received the Pluma Plata award for Salt among many other awards. In the introduction of the book, Mark Kurlansky states how he bought a rock of salt in Cardona. He explains how the rock changed from being dry to having a puddle under it as the weather changed. He states that a person who does think that a fascination with salt is bizarre, then they have never own a rock like the one he had. Mark Kurlansky wrote this book because he is fascinated by salt and wanted to write about the history of salt and how it has been used through all these years.He wanted to provide insight of how salt is valuable to us humans. In the introduction of Salt, Kurlansky talks about his view on salt and the people and how it was used throughout history. He includes Welsh Jungian psychologist Ernest Jones input on human obsession with salt. He also includes a list from the book â€Å"One Hundred and One Uses for Diamond Crystal Salt†, by the Diamond Crystal Salt Company of St. Clair, Michigan. One of these uses is that salt keeps the colors bright on boiled vegetables.Part One is titled A Discourse on Salt, Cadavers, and Pungent Sauces and includes six chapters. At the introduction of part one there is a quote that states â€Å"A country is never as poor as when it seems filled with riches† by Laozi quoted in the Yan tie lun, A Discourse on Salt and Iron, 81 B. C. In chapter one, he explains how because of Lake Yuncheng, a lake of sal ty water in China, caused many wars because many civilizations were fighting for it.In chapter two, Kurlansky correctly explains how salt was used to preserve fish, birds by the technique of disembowelment and salting. Also, he includes how the Egyptian people bodies were preserved because of the dry, salty desert sand that they were buried in. In chapter three, the discovery of salt miners in the Durnberg mountain mine. The bodies were dried and preserved and the bright colors of their clothing was preserved by the salt.

Problem / Policy - Restructure The Working Visa Model

Fernando Gonzalez CAS 100A 23 11/4/2015 Problem/Policy – Restructure the Working Visa model in USA INTRODUCTION I. (Attention-Grabber) What is your initial thought when immigration problem come to mind? I am not going to lie the first think I think of is this video from south park https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEgi0BiToj4 Now I know this is not even politically correct, but that is not problem I am going to talk about, I am going to talk about the immigrations situation concerning the International student and the work visa. Let me ask you a few questions A. How many international students do you think are in the US? - It’s actually 886k, which is 4% of all students in the US. B. How money do you think is brought in to US by†¦show more content†¦III. (Preview) the H-1 visa situation is an immigration problems that affects directly the students themselves greatly, but it also affects indirectly the US economically, socially, and education wise. A. Recognize the problem; and how it affects international students, companies, the science community in the US, and even US itself. B. I would like to propose a restructuration of the H-1 visa model that would that would attend the raising amount of international students and promote STEM in the US. C. This proposal would be effective because it would allow companies to pick from the best in the US without fearing losing them in the lottery, and at the same time would promote and fund internally STEM programs. Transition: This is a situation that needs to be addressed the lack of work visas is problem that affects more than group of people. I. (Needed: Topic Sentence) the lack of working visas is problem that affects students and companies, due to the small cap of visas, they are sorted by lottery. With this lottery system the US loses quality professionals that are not selected, and companies are not as free to maintain in the US the best professionals in the field. A. What’s currently happening? According to The Daily Caller â€Å"prior to the 1990 Act, there was no numerical limit on such workers. However, for the past 12 years, the 65,000 annual supply of H-1B visas, along with a 20,000 exemption for graduate students, has