Plato__-_The_Republic_(Book_I)_And_Others

Plato: - The Republic (Book I) And Others Stuff to know: The following is a brief summary of some of the readings and some of LTs expressed thoughts on them. It is not intended as a way to avoid doing those readings. a) Gunther: - Argues for free speech despite admitting the harm that various forms of speech can have (he was raised as a Jew in Nazi Germany). - Has an 'absolutist' interpretation of the first amendment, where any attempt to curb the scope of free speech should be viewed with "skepticism and suspicion". - Argues that it is only the political extremes, who either reject the constitution or would have it not apply to their political opponents that typically argue for censorship. - Unlike Bork, he feels that protection of the first amendment is protection of the "anti-majority" LT: Best to let free speech reign and have people learn to argue their case against racial slurs etc. Creates a more empowered society. Restricting speech disempowers. Showing empowerment will render racial slurs impotent. - Being harmful not sufficient for being banned. Equality only real when people have the power to speak and rise up in moral indignation against those who would use racial slurs and the like. people, thus, because, law, others, way, think, ought, fetus, evil, about, out, one, kant, good, acting, something, self, sartre, reason, really, important, even, should, moral, means, matter, lt, know, just, human, groups, god, everyone, being, aquinas