Free speech / Alan Haworth.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Haworth, Alan, 1944-

Series:

Problems of philosophy (Routledge (Firm))

The problems of philosophy

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Freedom of speech.

Physical Description:

xiv, 263 p.

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Routledge, 2002.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Free Speech is a philosophical treatment of a topic which is of immense importance to all of us. Writing with great clarity, wit, and genuine concern, Alan Haworth situates the main arguments for free speech by tracing their relationship to contemporary debates in politics and political philosophy, and their historical roots to earlier controversies over religious toleration. Free Speech will appeal to anyone with an interest in philosophy, politics and current affairs.

Contents:

Cover

Title

Copyright Page

Dedication

Contents

Preface and acknowledgements

PART ONE

I An introduction to the argument

1.1 Mill's argument and Mine

1.2 The place of Mill's argument in philosophy and in history

1.3 What is the problem?

1.4 Getting the story right

II The liberty of thought and discussion

2.1 Thought and discussion prioritised

2.2 What is 'thought and discussion'?

2.3 A crack in the fabric: Mill's 'corn dealer' example

III A case study

3.1 A German attack on applied ethics

3.2 A short exercise in 'deconstruction'

3.3 A note on 'assuming infallibility'

3.4 Conclusion and postscript

IV Truth and consequences

4.1 The anti-consequentialist consensus

4.2 The objections from integrity and negative responsibility

4.3 Assessing the consequences

4.4 A note on the 'free market in ideas'

V Consequentialism and the right to free speech

5.1 The anti-consequentialist argument from rights

5.2 Consequentialism: conclusions

VI The value of truth

6.1 The value of truth and the threat of relativism

6.2 Value relativism: truth and the good society

6.3 Value relativism: whose vision?

6.4 Epistemic relativism: the 'true believer'

6.5 An appeal to science

6.6 Epistemic relativism: Rorty's revisionist liberalism

6.7 Conclusion: are we trapped in a house of mirrors?

VII Areopagitica's aftermath

7.1 'One discussion more'

7.2 Parallels and perspective

7.3 Patterns of repression

7.4 Conclusion: the lie of the land

Postscript to Part One: taking stock of theclassic defence

PART TWO

VIII Contract and convention

8.1 Contract and convention: 'literal' contractualism

8.2 'Conventionalist' contractualism

8.3 Some interim conclusions

8.4 Contractualism and value relativism

8.5 Conclusion: contractualism and rights.

IX From the contract to free speech?

9.1 Free speech as a 'basic liberty'

9.2 Free speech and democracy

9.3 Free speech and liberty of conscience

9.4 From the contract to free speech?

9.5 Contractualism since 1972

X Concerning toleration

10.1 Locke's argument from 'just bounds'

10.2 Toleration as a model for free speech

10.3 Locke's argument: conclusions

10.4 The contractualist approach: taking stock

XI Conclusions and prospects

11.1 Conclusions

11.2 Prospects

Appendix: Milton and Mill: a comparisonof extracts

Notes

References

Index.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 249-257) and index.

ISBN:

1-134-75400-0

1-280-18254-7

0-203-27996-4

0-203-00420-5

9780203004203

OCLC:

264485587