8 Values of Free Expression

Without human interaction, the world would not be anywhere close to how it is today. Human to human interaction is the foundational basis for evolutionary survival. Beg to differ with me on that one, but personally I feel that as a species, us humans need interaction to survive. Without it, our world will collapse. Don't be scared though, this shouldn't happen. 

The First Amendment protects and allows us to continue our daily conversations everyday. This allows for debates and conversations about everyday and controversial topics to occur, but in a protected way. With this concept, comes The Marketplace of Ideas, also known as The Discovery of Truth. 

Within the Marketplace of Ideas, comes the ability to voice your own opinions, ability to discuss harsh topics and more. To have the ability to do this is super important to have in life as you are your own person constrained to your own mind. I feel that having other people's thoughts, values, mindsets, opinions etc... is really important to have to challenge yourself to other ideas. This is how we grow as people, and get the ability to think outside the box as we are one with our own thoughts 24/7. This is why I believe that the Marketplace of Ideas is the most important value of the Eight Values of Free Expression. 

The Marketplace of Ideas refers to the concept that everyone is entitled to their own opinions freely and can speak on them freely, allowing for individuals to make their own decisions. This also allows for free discussion of certain topics, meaning there is no censorship within your ability to talk about ideas. This concept comes from Philosophers John Stuart Mill and John Milton.                                                                                                                               

John Stuart Mill

John Milton

Born on May 20th, 1806, Mill was a prominent English Philosopher who challenged peoples way of thinking throughout the 19th century. Specifically focusing in on the ethics behind utilitarianism, his work reshaped humans' thought process back then. 

John Milton was born on December 9th, 1608, the English poet was thought to be the second greatest English writer in history just behind legend William Shakespeare. Milton went onto writing "Areopagitica" in 1644 which is all about opposing governmental licensing's procedures correlated with censorship. This was a transformative piece of his writing as it shaped him into becoming another influential scholar of his time to break barriers of issues related to free speech. 

Although the two of them never formally met given the differences in centuries, their ideas overlapped creating shared thoughts and values of their own. Without talk and open conversations about our ideas, thoughts and opinions on certain issues and topics, to this day, we wouldn't be able to challenge and learn from others. Our world would be stagnant, and therefore unable to evolve into what we are today, and beyond.

For change to occur, there would have to be an immense amount of work done for something to change in society. I believe that change occurs rapidly in our nation because of our First Amendment rights, specifically those regarding the Marketplace of Ideas concept. 

To have the opportunity to speak freely about our inner thoughts is what makes our country, The United States of America, such a powerful force in the world. Taking our inner thoughts and projecting them outwards is a strong tool that each and every one of us should utilize. This is why I stand by my statement of the Marketplace of Ideas being the most important value within the eight values of free expression.