On the Liberty of Free Expression
Ramblings inspired by John Stuart Mill’s ‘On Liberty’.
It is difficult to exist in silence, whilst, at least in general terms, being so compelled to agree with Mill’s principles of liberty, published in 1859. This Blog, and the text that follows, is my conviction of the importance, nay, necessity of free expression, reduced to absurdity; Absurd indeed does it seem to me now. Nevertheless, I contend that shouting into the void is a more worthwhile pursuit than quietly conforming on matters that do not conform with an individual’s beliefs. Lest all individuality and human potential be suffocated from society.
“There ought to exist the fullest liberty of professing and discussing any doctrine.”
Paraphrasing Mill, the peculiar evil of silencing an opinion is that it robs mankind of the potential to better itself. Indeed to better itself is the only state attained by mankind through, at the least, refusing to silence an individual’s opinion. All the more so for daring to invite authentic and honest profession of doctrines from the individuals within the collective of mankind.
For it is so that at the infancy of opinions, which hold the potential to generate good, they may be rebutted before they achieve said potential, if it were discovered that the potential they hold when actualised is in fact bad. To refuse unequivocally to silence doctrines, ideas, and beliefs held by individuals is to allow the opportunity to refute, or indeed confute, the truth of the claim publicly.
Thus, if an opinion is right it might correct the erroneous doctrine held by popular opinion at the time, who perhaps in their ignorance would prefer the quiet of conformity. If the opinion is wrong, it can be demonstrated so, and thus mankind is strengthened in the comfort of company, adding a non conforming individual to the ranks of conformity, one professed and discussed opinion at a time. Fallible though we are, wilful ignorance could then at least not be apportioned blame on account of this.
It is not the subject of this blog to introduce discussion on the nature of good, and what may constitute a “right” opinion. With regards to the liberty of free thought and expression, it is sufficient to assume that 'good' may mean what you and I know it to mean, through our lived experience, subjective though that may be.
The only rational way for beings with human faculties to further their understanding of truth, to predict with greater accuracy the actualised potential of an opinion, is to weigh individual opinion with collective lived experience.
I consider it necessary that, in order to negate the tyranny of the majority, individual opinion is given absolute freedom of expression. Only in parallel with an open invitation to be shown wrong, can the confidence in the truth of a claim be increased.
It is thus where, without considering my individual opinion to be any more important than another’s, I find myself compelled to live out my ideals, and exercise to the fullest extent my liberty of expression. Indeed I shout at you the reader, the void, to value authentic expression of self, and refuse to be spoken for.
