Legal Studies
LGST 107 Toleration, Speech, and Hate
Analyzes arguments concerning speech and toleration in the Western philosophical tradition. Is the freedom to think and speak freely a good thing? Why or why not? To what extent is this true? When does expression constitute harm, to either the community or individuals? What does it mean to tolerate those beliefs or practices you find bigoted? Evil? Dangerous to society? What kinds of disagreements can exist without destroying the political community, and what kinds can we simply not abide? Students will know and understand the very best arguments for free speech, for restricting certain kinds of speech and become empowered to engage with the speech disputes in our own political moment.