Why do I support....

Published on October 4, 2005 By ----- In Philosophy

I've been asked a couple times, by a few, 'quizzical' bloggers, why i support people saying irrational things... or things that are (at times) absurd. It can be best explained by the following two quotes, especially the first:

"I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it."
Francois Marie Arouet VOLTAIRE
The Friends of Voltaire, 1907
French philosopher and writer (1694-1778)

"Without free speech no search for truth is possible... no discovery of truth is useful... Better a thousandfold abuse of free speech than denial of free speech. The abuse dies in a day, but the denial slays the life of the people, and entombs the hope of the race."
Charles BRADLAUGH
British social reformer (1833-1891)

Comments

Furry Canary

on Oct 04, 2005

It depends on the original circumstance though, Lucas. Is it really that you support the rights of people who say ridiculous things to say them, or is it that you support the ridiculous things they say? There is a good defence for the former, much less of one (almost by definition) for the latter.

Incidentally, I have a question for you ... why have you changed your JU identity yet again? Bearing in mind that you have been ... shall we say 'economical with the truth' ... in the past, isn't this going to appear as just one more attempt to obfuscate and confuse?

-----

on Oct 04, 2005

Is it really that you support the rights of people who say ridiculous things to say them

That is the reason, and as the first quote said, i will fight for the right, BUT, that doesn't mean i agree with what's said...

Incidentally, I have a question for you ... why have you changed your JU identity yet again? Bearing in mind that you have been ... shall we say 'economical with the truth' ... in the past, isn't this going to appear as just one more attempt to obfuscate and confuse?

-Call it a shedding of old, and birth of new... Perhaps, but as i've said...i'm done, if others want to bring up the past and hound about it...fine, doesn't mean i have to listen/pay attention...i realize that i've screwed up and that i have to change...i've done my time...movin on...

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