Assignment: Write a 3-4-page paper (12 font, times new roman) where you address the below prompt.
Prompt: About two-thirds of U.S. adults (65%) say that “people being too easily offended” is a major problem in the country today, while a slimmer majority – 53% – say that “people saying offensive things to others” is a major problem, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in July 2021. Americans are, thus, split on the issue of “free speech” and whether we should be truly free to say whatever we want. For this paper, I want you to think about a contemporary debate regarding free speech in connection with Chapter 16 “Free Speech” by Roger Crisp in Ethics and the Contemporary World. What contemporary issue raises concerns regarding free speech? You may want to address cancel culture, vaccine misinformation, hate speech against women (like Srinivasan discusses when she mentions the Reddit thread of incels) etc…
In your paper, you must:
(1) Demonstrate an understanding of the issues at stake in Chapter 16. The author pays particular attention to the viewpoint of philosopher John Stuart Mills. Briefly describe Mill’s philosophy regarding free speech.
(2) Think about a contemporary issue that raises questions regarding free speech. What is the issue? How should it be addressed? Would Mills agree?
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