Truth in Speech
In the previous two posts, I have discussed the issue of both trust and wisdom in speech. But deception and lying are different ways of avoiding or denying the truth. It is that issue that I am considering now. Only communications can be true or false. So it is obvious that the issue of truth is unique to speech. There are two questions that need to be answered: the nature of truth and the value of truth. Truth is intrinsically good and it is saying of what it that it is. Truth is good because it is intrinsically good. Knowledge of the truth is good simply because of what it is. It is also instrumentally good in many ways. For example, truth is required for our education, health, political life and vocation. In fact, there is no area of our life that knowledge of the truth does not benefit us in some way. So the goodness of truth cannot be …
Free Speech in University
In my previous post, I discussed the issue of grade inflation in universities. Another problem is the restriction of free speech within universities. The issue of free speech on universities is complicated by several factors as well. These factors must be accounted for first in order to understand the nature of the problem. The first factor is the definition of free speech. Free speech is the right to freely express an opinion. This means that free speech does not apply to pictures unless those pictures are a form of language such as sign language. This also means that free speech does not mean the right to express emotions, commands or any other form of communication that is not an opinion. The second factor is the goal or point of free speech. Free speech is meant to secure truth. Therefore, it offers no protection for liars or for those who are deliberately negligent. This is especially true when someone lies about …