Freedom of speech is a bedrock principle throughout the Western world, but increasingly it is being challenged — on college campuses, among intellectuals and in politics — in the name of preventing “hate” speech or offensive speech, or protecting allegedly “marginalized” groups. Why is this happening, and what does it mean for the future of free speech?
Today, college students’ attitude toward free speech ranges from ambivalence to outright hostility. They cry “microaggression” at the slightest offense. They demand “trigger warnings” and “safe spaces” to protect themselves from controversial ideas. They attempt to ban speakers at public universities and support other bans on speech.
This talk by Steve Simpson, director of Legal Studies at the Ayn Rand Institute, explores how today's widespread acceptance of determinism has made many people suspicious of free speech. In contrast, the controversial positions that ARI takes on free speech reflect its philosophical understanding of free will.
“To put it bluntly, free speech is under attack. . .” says Steve Simpson, director of Legal Studies at the Ayn Rand Institute. In this talk and Q&A given at the Heartland Institute in Chicago, Simpson argues that if we want to fight for free speech, we have to fight for the ideals on which it is based. He also discusses topics such as the Danish cartoon crisis, the recent Berkeley riots in response to provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos, free speech on college campuses and the government investigation into Exxon.
"Islamophobia," "meritocracy" and "extremism." These three anti-concepts obliterate clear thinking and shut down thoughtful discussion. Have you unwittingly accepted them into your thinking?
Steve Simpson, ARI’s director of Legal Studies, appeared on a new student-run video podcast to discuss recent attacks on free speech, the stifling atmosphere on college campuses and related issues in an hour-long interview.
In this short clip from a longer presentation, two Ayn Rand Institute intellectuals explain how the term “Islamophobia” works to silence rational discussion, criticism of Islam and religion more generally.
In this panel, ARI authors Elan Journo and Steve Simpson discuss the subject of their books, why they concentrate on issues like free speech and Islamic totalitarianism, how ARI’s predictions over the years illustrate the power of the Institute’s distinct philosophic perspective and what everyone can do.
In this talk, ARI director of legal studies Steve Simpson puts the recent attacks on free speech in a wider cultural context, and analyzes the ideas and arguments that are used to undermine the public’s understanding and appreciation of the freedom of speech.
