Rex Kerr
May 21, 2023

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I don't think this is morally useful because it treats the issue of free speech as primarily legal in nature, rather than a principle by which to order society. But of course the only reason why it's a legal principle at all is because of its value to society.

As far as the logic goes, it is inadequately developed. For instance, you have as a premise (but only an implied one!) that there exists such a thing as "speech that destroys the Constitution" and another premise (implied!) that there is no practical defense save stopping the speech.

I explore the issue in more depth--as Popper's paradox of tolerance, but the logic for free speech is the same as it is one type of tolerance--in this article: https://medium.com/@ichoran/there-is-no-paradox-of-hatred-fbc3ddeb2500

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Rex Kerr
Rex Kerr

Written by Rex Kerr

One who rejoices when everything is made as simple as possible, but no simpler. Sayer of things that may be wrong, but not so bad that they're not even wrong.

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