Overview
Book Argues that freedom of speech should be based on a framework of reflexive toleration
Identifies the philosophical problem behind contemporary debates about free speech
Refocuses our understanding of free speech around toleration, rather than the pursuit of truth
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Table of contents (8 chapters)
Keywords
About this book
​This book dives headfirst into the contemporary controversy over the limits of free speech. Changing conceptions of what constitutes legitimate harm coupled with the advent of the internet and social media have provided a challenging environment for defining the boundaries of acceptable speech in our contemporary society. This book argues that these problems emerge due to flaws in our free speech framework, leaving the argument for free speech vulnerable to becoming inverted into a justification for censorship. In response, this book argues for a version of free speech based on a framework of toleration. Drawing on the work of the philosopher Rainer Forst, a new justification for free speech is formulated – reflexive freedom of speech – which aims to overcome past issues and justify free speech in a way that is universal, consistent and just.
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Benjamin Walters is a research fellow at the Australia Institute in Canberra, Australia. His research interests include theories of free speech, culture war, toleration and justice. He holds a PhD in Philosophy from Deakin University.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: The Future of Free Speech
Authors: Benjamin Walters
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41356-8
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham
eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-031-41355-1Published: 13 September 2023
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-031-41358-2Due: 27 September 2024
eBook ISBN: 978-3-031-41356-8Published: 12 September 2023
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XI, 137
Topics: Political Philosophy, Social Philosophy, Epistemology