subject: Censorship - A New Threat to Freedom [print this page] Censorship - A New Threat to Freedom Censorship - A New Threat to Freedom
Proponents of censorship may argue that it helps curb hatred that may arise from heated discussions. To some degree, this is correct. However, arguments are not identical to fights. Webster defines argument as "adiscussioninvolvingdifferingpointsofview". Arguing is a channel through which disputes are resolved in a civilized society and understanding among people rises.
I joined the debate team my freshman year and since then, I've seen myself grow in my world view. As an active debater, I firmly believe that censorship hinders society's progress. In policy debate, all types of arguments are encouraged - from political and social issues to critiques by philosophers like Hillman, Nietzsche, and Marx.I can barely imagine a constructive debate in which arguments and ideas were censored before they were presented.
I believe that Lukianoff's view that censorship impinges upon society's ability to progress is correct in that if ideas are not allowed to flow freely then people will be held to their initial prejudices without giving as much as a second thought to a warranted change simply because any challenge to their belief systemis non-existent.
As a society, we surely must not preach conflict. At the same time, we must work to promote a free flow of ideas, thus creating a world in which argument becomes an opportunity to learn about opposing viewpoints and a chance for us to broaden our horizons. Censorship in society is a major road block that has to be limited in order to make way for enlightening discussions that help all of us. Restrictions on freedom of speech, express or implied, will only create a jaded society. A jaded society will only hurt how we, as a society, interact with each other.
This country was founded on the principles of certain inalienable rights: the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. When an entity tries to censor thought and its expression, it essentially undermines the ability to fully pursue these inalienable rights. If censorship continues to occur, as Lukianoff points out, American discourse will continue to suffer and so will the pursuit of progress.
