
Freedom of Speech and Expression
Its History, Its Value, Its Good Use, and Its Misuse
Richard Sorabji(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 7. September 2021
Book
Hardback
216 pages
978-0-19-753215-7 (ISBN)
Description
This is the second volume of the new Rutgers Lectures in Philosophy series, which publishes lectures of prominent intellectuals and philosophers delivered annually on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus.
Sir Richard Sorabji here examines free speech through a historical lens from antiquity up to today. He first traces the concept's origins in ancient India, Rome, and Greece, and follows its evolution through early Christian, medieval, and Arabic philosophy. He then evaluates historical threats to free speech in literary, political, and religious contexts, and various legal constraints that have attempted to protect it. He discusses the tension between the benefits of free speech and its frustations and abuses, and argues for the use of voluntary self-restraint on such speech that frustrates its benefits, citing for example the art identified by Gandhi as "opening ears." Finally, he closes with an analysis of free speech on social media and the abuse of personal data and voter manipulation.
With Freedom of Speech and Expression, Sorabji provides a comprehensive overview of the topic informed by his distinct philosophical analysis and perceptive commentary.
Sir Richard Sorabji here examines free speech through a historical lens from antiquity up to today. He first traces the concept's origins in ancient India, Rome, and Greece, and follows its evolution through early Christian, medieval, and Arabic philosophy. He then evaluates historical threats to free speech in literary, political, and religious contexts, and various legal constraints that have attempted to protect it. He discusses the tension between the benefits of free speech and its frustations and abuses, and argues for the use of voluntary self-restraint on such speech that frustrates its benefits, citing for example the art identified by Gandhi as "opening ears." Finally, he closes with an analysis of free speech on social media and the abuse of personal data and voter manipulation.
With Freedom of Speech and Expression, Sorabji provides a comprehensive overview of the topic informed by his distinct philosophical analysis and perceptive commentary.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 135 mm
Width: 180 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
272 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-753215-7 (9780197532157)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Richard Sorabji
Freedom of Speech and Expression
Its History, Its Value, Its Good Use, and Its Misuse
E-Book
03/2021
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€9.99
Available for download

Richard Sorabji
Freedom of Speech and Expression
Its History, Its Value, Its Good Use, and Its Misuse
E-Book
03/2021
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€9.99
Available for download
Person
Professor Sir Richard Sorabji writes and speaks about intercultural philosophy and its history since antiquity for both academics and the general reader. He has written 18 books and edited or co-edited 11. He is the founder and editor of the translation series Ancient Commentators on Aristotle in 114 volumes so far.
Author
Honorary Fellow of PhilosophyHonorary Fellow of Philosophy, Oxford University
Content
Contents
Acknowledgements
Series Editor's Foreword
Introduction Chapter I The Benefits seen in Free Speech and its Gradual Extension from Some to All: An Intercultural History Chapter II The Benefits of Free Speech and Expression: Productive versus Counter-Productive speech, and Voluntary Boundaries Chapter III Free Speech on Social Media: How to Protect our Freedoms from the Social Media that Trade in our Personal Data Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
Series Editor's Foreword
Introduction Chapter I The Benefits seen in Free Speech and its Gradual Extension from Some to All: An Intercultural History Chapter II The Benefits of Free Speech and Expression: Productive versus Counter-Productive speech, and Voluntary Boundaries Chapter III Free Speech on Social Media: How to Protect our Freedoms from the Social Media that Trade in our Personal Data Bibliography
Index