Freedom of thought and expression?

Question

Do you think there are any limits to this phenomenon?
Should hurting other's sentiments(politically and religiously) be of no importance in this regard?

Answer 1

Someone once remarked that your freedom to swing your arm ends where my nose begins.

Unlimited freedom without regard to the feelings and rights of others is possible, its just not very practical.

So it comes down to a balancing act. On one hand the desire for complete freedom and on the other the fact that we have to live together.

Complete freedom is a nice idea in theory but in practice it too often becomes an excuse for self-indulgence.

The course of wisdom, it seems to me, is to develop sufficient intellectual skills to be able to think anything one wants, and the maturity to engage in self censorship so as to be able to live in the real world

Answer 2

I think you should have the freedom to say what you want. Theres a difference between saying and doing. Also i'm a firm believer in if youre not ashamed to think it dont be ashamed to say it. I would prefer things to be out in the open and to know what people truely feel. I think political correctness has gone mad. Its going to the point of supressing freedom of speech. Words are only words. What i find a really bad state of affairs is when someone says something and they are asked to retract the statement/comment. How on earth is saying you take those words back change your point of view on the matter??? I think its all silly. I recogn people should say what they want. Sticks and stones may broke your bones but words will never hurt you. Also in regards to the religious side of it i dont see why religions should be completely immune to criticism. Everyone has their own beliefs and for religious people to not allow criticism cause their belief is "right" is what causes problems. Every religion thinks their religion is the right one. Why should they not allow criticism of theirs when they give plenty of criticisms towards other beliefs. I think what we have to learn is that everyone is different and thats whats great. If we shut up peoples differences and not allow ourselves to hear other sides/versions of thoughts other than our own we are never going to grow or learn as people. Be open to other peoples thoughts and expressions. No one is asking you to agree with them but at least hear them out. After all wouldnt you only like the same treatment

Answer 3

There should, but who is to say when someone is truly hurt. Lets take YA for example. It is obvious that somethings are not appropriate on here. We as YA users police our own play ground.

But some people get carried away with the flagging not because you said anything bad but because they didn't approve of what was said.

Some people get hurt feeling even though it was tactfully said.

My point is no matter what you say some one will be hurt by it!

Answer 4

I agree with Phonix and the one below them and the one that posted after your question was posted. It's hard to be sure that you're not going to offened any one and forget these things if people don't want to hear or read such things then they should either change themselves or try to get out of the way. I don't like a lot of things that I hear but I still make it a point to hear the other side out first.

Answer 5

well that's the point, if you start putting conditions as well, it wont be free expression, though thought is in the mind you cant really put any conditions on that but expressionists leave people to react how they want, if they take it personally then that's there choice and cant be avoided.

Answer 6

Freedom is always followed with responsibility, otherwise it leads to anarchic behaviour.

Answer 7

Nothing is more crippling to the human mind,

than trying to make sure NOTHING you say could possibly offend anyone.