would you be willing to forsake harmony for freedom of speech?

Question

harmony can lead security and prevents violence. freedom of speech allows us to air our own opinions and may produce truth. however, allowing freedom of speech might lead to disharmony. so the question is, which will you choose?

Answer 1

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Benjamin Franklin

Answer 2

I am willing to forsake neither. Harmony comes from within, speech is strong if it use for peace, for the masses. Remember that Great People Through time, Had Great Speeches, how ever it was achieved through a silent harmony (thought), and then carefully written down.

~the pen is mightier that the sword~
~Gods Speed~
~Four Scores...~
~I have a dream...~
~Its been written~


my own two cents: As a poet.

~My future is now, that shines brightly, that the blind will follow my path, to the truth of mankind~

Answer 3

It is against human nature for "harmony" to exist, as we know it. Freedom of speech can lead to war, which is one of the balancing factors of the "harmony", or balance, of nature (bluntly, "population control by nature). Therefore, without freedom of speech, the natural balance of life would be disrupted.

P.S. The "harmony" to which you are referring, I believe, refers to peacetime, as in the opposite of wartime. Nations will never allow for international peace as long as there is a system of global currency and exchange, so no, I would not forgo freedom of speech for which I do not possess.

Answer 4

Speech at least 'reveals' the intentions, plans, and attitude....
It helps to guess, counter, prepare a defense, etc to those interested in security & harmony....
Those who value harmony also know how to choose what they speak, whether there is freedom or not.

Answer 5

Harmony is not realistic in life. There is always conflict - that is the nature of life. So, freedom of speech wins - in general. Violence is something else - so there are limits, but that is not what you asked.

Answer 6

I think a certain level of harmony is necessary for freedom of speech to be practical. If there is not a consensus that freedom of speech is worthwhile, if others do not respect the right of others to voice their opinions, then freedom of speech cannot flourish. As one of our forefathers said, I may not agree with what you have to say but I will fight to the death for your right to say it.

Answer 7

If I really have to choose, I would choose harmony.

Harmony is good. Freedom of speech is good and bad.

Ignorance is bliss.

Knowledge is pain. Wisdom is even more painful, as it has to bear witness to ignorance and dumbness.

Answer 8

Free speech was not put in amendment one to protect people who wanted to talk about how much they love puppies and rainbows. It's for people to call the President a terrorist and their neighbor a fag. Sorry, but Free Speech is designed to protect what one doesn't want to hear. Sure, it comes at the price of "harmony" but it's damn worth it in my opinion.

Of course, I still support some limits such as the "fighting words" doctrine (anything that directly incites violence is not protected) and the Miller test (something must be completely devoid of literary, artistic, political, scientific worth to be eligible for obscenity violations).

Answer 9

Even as our rights get more and more restricted, there is no rise in harmony. The two topics are unrelated. Read the history of the Russian revolution if you want to know the limits of restricted rights.

Answer 10

Give me freedom of speech.
A certain amount of disharmony is inherent to Life and Nature.

Answer 11

freedom of speech!
i dont care about harmony.
the trouble is, noone knows
what real harmony is.