"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." what do you think ?

Question

- Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855) for the quotation.
Please do not attribute or reference your answer to his philosophy (Unless you believe that), as the quote was just a good way of parsing the question.

jeffry c may try that in a later question but for now this is a pick it up and run with it discussion (also showing wether the people who answer are using there freedom of thought or just speech)

Answer 1

"Die Gedanken sind frei." "Thoughts are free" is an old German saying, proved over and over again through times of repression. Speech, it is true, is often engaged without reference to thinking, but there is absolutely nothing which can restrict thought. Kierkegaard's reference was to the laziness which accepts limits to understanding, the dishonesty of too easily accepting rigid beliefs and social norms in order to avoid the discipline of dialectic reasoning. People accept demagogues like Adolf Hitler or George W. Bush because it is easier than thinking for themselves.

Answer 2

I agree that people avoid freedom of thought. However, I believe that this is not the only reason people demand freedom of speech. Surely it IS a good reason, but I think more people demand it because they wish to be heard. And those who wish to be heard most are often those who are most free in their thoughts. There are, of course, people who just want attention, but those should be looked at as a part of the anti-freedom-of-thought people. People who crave attention often crave it because they are unable to give themselves the proper care and respect and thought (freedom of thought again).

Answer 3

This is certainly a thought provoking perspective.

...but not an absolute one.

...as I see evidence of many reasons as to why people "demand" freedom of speech and may reasons of avoidance of thinking which does not always demand freedom of speech...

...and neither does freedom of speech ensure that people will then "think"...

In fact, most of us would rather die than think -- and we often do.

Regards,

Answer 4

You have to look at who is speaking and what they are saying and when and to whom. If Speech is there JUST because we can, then it is not right. Actions speakloouder than words. Think and act, then if there is something to say, then say it with fervor and people will listen and do as you say. That is the only way. Take for instance the upperhand of a parent towards a child. They have to be free to speak to them and mean what they say. It is necessary for them to think first. then speak. If you do not think about what the child is hearing, then it is for nigh, naught, nothing. Think first, then speak with clarity and kindness then all will work for good to those who LOVE. LOVE is all we need. It doesn't need any words, does it?

Answer 5

As you may be able to decipher from the answers given that the quotation and the question are incomplete. There is much more to the question that could be defined. It's a nice thought starter, but as far as finding an answer, you will find many answers to many questions it poses. Maybe you could suggest the direction you wish to go with this?

Answer 6

Speech cannot be free when thought is not free. The avoidance of freedom of thought undermines the capacity for freedom of speech.

Answer 7

I think that much time is wasted by individuals who think that freedom of speech is a mere license to express their opinions rather than a social obligation to speak the truth with justice and charity.

Answer 8

Seeing how the freedom of speech is used to throw smut around, I feel Kierkegaard was more than right on that one.

Answer 9

I think Mr Kieregaard must have been a very intelligent human being.

Answer 10

It sounds like a spurious opinion rather than wisdom,

'freedom of thought' sounds tautological to me.