CMS.125
Liberalism, Toleration, and Freedom of Speech
Fall 2023
This course examines theories and principles that underlie the concept of free speech in the United States, the historical context in which the values of free speech and toleration emerged, and the philosophical arguments that were and are made for and against them. Students analyze a variety of contexts and communicative practices, including new media technologies, to debate how "speech" can be described and when it should be appropriately regulated. The course also considers current disputes over free speech on college campuses.
Readings
- Milton, John. Excerpts from Areopagitica . Arc Manor, 2008, pp. 10 (“If ye be…”) – 11 (“…of our presbyters”), 24 (“Since therefore the knowledge…”) – 27 (“…can overtake her”), and 55 (“And now the time…”) – 56 (“…wars of Truth”). ISBN: 9781604501513.
- Abrams, Floyd. Chapter 5 in The Soul of the First Amendment . Yale University Press, 2018. ISBN: 9780300234206.
- ———. Excerpts from “Challenges and Temptations.” Chapter 3 in Why It’s OK to Speak Your Mind. Routledge, 2021. ISBN: 9780367141721.
- Alexander, Larry. “General Justifying Theories of Freedom of Expression.” Chapter 7 in Is There a Right of Freedom of Expression? Cambridge University Press, 2005. ISBN: 9780521529846.
- Waldron, Jeremy. “The Appearance of Hate.” Chapter 4 in The Harm in Hate Speech . Harvard University Press, 2014. ISBN: 9780674416864.
- Waldron, Jeremy. “Ronald Dworkin and the Legitimacy Argument.” Chapter 7 in The Harm in Hate Speech . Harvard University Press, 2014. ISBN: 9780674416864.
- ———. “Profound Offense.” Chapter 9 in Offense to Others: The Moral Limits of the Criminal Law . Oxford University Press, 1988. ISBN: 9780195052152.
- Glod, William. “How Do We Know What Other People Are Up To?” Chapter 2 in Why it’s OK to Make Bad Choices . Routledge, 2020. ISBN: 9780367195175.
- Glod, William. “What If I Really Am Making Bad Choices?” Chapter 3 in Why it’s OK to Make Bad Choices . Routledge, 2020. ISBN: 9780367195175.
- ———. “Why We Should Be Careful.” Chapter 7 in Why it’s OK to Make Bad Choices . Routledge, 2020. ISBN: 9780367195175.
- Kekes, John. “The Prevalence of Evil.” Chapter 2 in Against Liberalism . Cornell University Press, 1997. ISBN: 9780801433610.
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗Historical OpenCourseWare
- MIT OCW calendar ↗
- MIT OCW readings ↗
- MIT OCW syllabus ↗
- Historical MIT OpenCourseWare offering. Named reading entries and schedule topics are automatically extracted from the linked source pages.