Mill's Assumptions

“ ‘I wholly disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it’ ” (Lippmann 14-15). Voltaire’s statement explains that even though he disagrees with an opinion, he will defend the entitlement of freedom of speech. In Walter Lippmann’s essay “The Indispensable Opposition,” his argument on freedom of speech is that American society should value and tolerate others opinions because it is necessary in a civilized society. Utilizing rhetorical strategies such as diction, parallelism, and the use of personal pronouns; he emphasizes his stance on liberty of opinion.

Freedom of speech is a right that was given to Americans some time ago. It is the most cherished right Americans have. People would not be able to express themselves without it. They would not be the same person without it. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbur, the lack of speech was protrayed through the characteristics of Guy Montags job as a Fireman and their society and government.

Through his words, he expresses his opinion that we, as Americans, are not defending our rights to freedom of speech. In his opening sentence, he demonstrates that Americans do not value political freedom as a necessity, but rather a noble ideal. Throughout his entire work, he comes back to this idea and continues to support it with his words.

By the freedom of opinion, cannot be meant the right of thinking merely; for of this right the greatest Tyrant cannot deprive his meanest slave; but it is freedom in the communication of sentiments [by] speech or through the press” (Voices of Freedom, Chapter

The freedoms of men and women are guaranteed under law, yet somehow we tell eachother that our speech is incorrect and should be looked down upon. How can the liberties of other people be less valuable than than your own? Americans tend to simply push an opposing opinion out of their way, deeming it invaluable and useless, but when someone does that same thing to them, they are up in arms about their right to free speech. Walter Lippman uses powerful pathos and strong diction in his article The Indispensable Opposition to develop his argument that individuals must respect and listen to other’s opinions in order for society to grow as a whole. People’s emotions are always hard to decipher and angle so that their opinion is altered, or even changed.

“Thus, the defense of freedom of opinion tends to rest not on its substantial, beneficial, and indispensable consequences…” (Line ) Lippmann uses these specific words to show readers that the freedom of opinion is of considerable importance, favorable, advantageous,

Liberty precisely translates to freedom nevertheless in the present day, just as in Thoreau’s time, through regulations and taxes the government hegemonies Americans, purloining their autonomy with dictating laws and delegating individual comportment. Society aspires to dictate their own capital investments and suffer alienation by the power of immense government who more than ever emerges to enforce taxation without representation. Freedom is the national identity predominantly venerated by Americans. Thoreau’s main theme within the ideology of freedom is a reduction of government. Throughout history, acts of civil disobedience have memorably forced a reexamination of society's ethical strictures.

The theory also discusses falsehoods and their place in the marketplace of ideas. The theory places falsehoods as a very important part of the marketplace, because falsehoods contribute to the integrity of the truths. The article then goes on to discuss the importance of Intellectual Freedom and Freedom of Speech in democracy. Oltmann states that Freedom of Speech is necessary to democracy because it allows the circulation of free thought and opinions that then lead to political involvement of Americans. The source then discusses the place that the library and IF

But if he refrains from molesting others in what concerns them, and merely acts according to his own inclination and judgment in things which concern himself, the same reasons which show that opinion should be free, prove also that he should be allowed, without molestation, to carry his opinions into practice at his own cost.” A man could enjoy his liberty of action and expression following his own instincts and appetites as long as it does not affect negatively the liberty of others. He can put into action his own thoughts and beliefs, taking as a personal responsability the consequences that this action could

Freedom is an important aspect in society. Living in the twenty first century, freedom is taken for granted, however because its so easily attained, freedom has never been seen as something important. Walter Lippmann a famous writer during 1939, argues in his article The Indispensable Opposition the importance of freedom of opinion. Although it’s written in the twentieth century, his argument still applies today. With the use of different rhetorical strategies,like interruption, persuasive diction, and metaphors Walter Lippmann emphasizes his opinion of freedom in society.

Thus, demonstrating how critical the right to speak is for commoners, who have a great amount of opinions in their mind that they are not allowed to say in an absolute monarchy. Voltaire’s statement played a large role in the democratic government of the 17th and 18th centuries due to how the freedom of speech was one of the most vital aspects in a democracy. The provision to speak one’s mind from a democratic government not only strengthens society and prevents revolts from the civilians, but it will also increase and spread of culture and ideas throughout the country. For example, Martin Luther’s decision to publicize his thoughts about

In the article, “The Indispensable Opposition,” author, Walter Lippmann, argues his claim that we must view the freedom of oppositions as a way to improve our decisions in a democratic society rather than just tolerating that freedom of speech. When freedom of speech is tolerated and only seen as a right to speak, Lippmann believes that the liberty of opinion becomes a luxury. Moving forward, Lippmann then states that we must understand that the freedom of speech for our opponents are a vital necessity since it provides our own opinions to grow in improvement. Through practical experience, we realize we need the freedom of opposition and is no longer just our opponent ’s right.

It was not until Mill’s late teens that he began to study Jeremy Bentham and his utilitarianism theory. “Reading Bentham satisfied Mill’s cravings for scientific precision and gave him a new way of looking at social intercourse” (Buchholz 97). Mill became so intrigued with Bentham that he decided to preach the Benthamite gospel in the Westminster Review, a publication started by his father and Jeremy Bentham. Mill’s views soon changed as he grew older. It is said that Mill had a mid-life crisis at the age of twenty because he took the Bentamite precision too far and actually forgot the ultimate goal of Utilitarianism in the first place, happiness.

If people have no place to voice their will or take part in deciding their own destiny, the community might grow disinterested and passive in their relationship with their government. Mill believes this is problematic for society because history, as he sees it, has shown that more democratic societies have more ‘energetic, and ‘developed’ societies as well as more ‘go ahead characters’ not seen in more totalitarian societies. Yet, this criticism might fail to cover a deeper problem of disinterest; it might lead to a level of moral deficiency as well. Mill fears that a loss of ability and activity, leads to a society losing its sense of communal responsibility and social justice. In their aloofness, people might be less inclined to believe that they have any responsibility to society since society has ceased to have any rights or purpose under absolute authority.

The fact that one has the right to say and believe is the foundation for democracy to function. If no one dared to say their opinions, then it had become a dictatorship where only one opinion on how society and the country should work had been the “right”. If people dared to express their opinions, they will help improving the society one lives. Freedom of speech gives one the responsibility to consider what fits into different contexts, and it will make us better persons and people. Simply, people will feel safe in the society they live in.