Beliefs and Speech

Most fail to doubt their beliefs but have nothing but doubt about those of others. They will claim modesty about what we know while not even recognizing their beliefs as beliefs, but just assume them without question. They will profess ignorance whenever there is a challenge to their beliefs while not examining their own to which they are blind. Everyone is blind in their own way, but some are better at recognizing this and trying to remedy this though not always succeeding. Are only the beliefs of others, only beliefs that would cause problems for your own, only beliefs that you wish were not true, the ones you doubt? What are you certain of that if not true would be most damaging to your own? True modesty means not just to doubt what we know, but to doubt that our doubt should take precedence.

Entertaining new beliefs leads to the possibility of error, while not leads to the persistence of it. Diversity of opinion should not be confused with tolerance of bad ideas. Opinions are worth what you pay for them and everyone has one. That does not mean they are equally valid or valuable, and so often those who complain about a lack of free speech are just pushing some bad ideas of some long dead philosopher to reinforce them in their ideas, position, and status, not to question or discuss them, for their interest is in promoting them, not examining them, nor engaging those of others on their merit, but of changing the subject and attention to their own.

Free speech is often not about free speech, but about forcing others to listen, distracting attention and diverting debate to themselves, assaulting others, and attracting adherents. Free speech and promotion go hand in hand and the first question of anyone should be why since the purpose is often disguised or unknown. Should speech be free? Yes. Does that mean it is without subterfuge and subtext, conscious or not? No. Does it mean others shouldn't respond to that? No. Does that mean others must listen and respond? No. Does that mean they must be allowed access to any avenue, event, and venue to promote it? No. The world is out there and those in any democracy have access to it. If your ideas are unpopular, just maybe there is a reason for that. Maybe you should ask yourself why.