First published Fri Nov 29, 2002; substantive revision Mon May 1, 2017
This entry explores the topic of free speech. It starts with a general
discussion of freedom in relation to speech and then moves on to
examine one of the first and best defenses of free speech, based on
the harm principle. This provides a useful starting point for further
digressions on the subject. The discussion moves on from the harm
principle to assess the argument that speech can be limited because it
causes offense rather than direct harm. I then examine arguments that
suggest speech can be limited for reasons of democratic equality. I