Why we should defend the right to be offensive

[Hope]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34613855

Roger Scruton makes some valuable comments in this 'A Point ofd View' piece.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hopester,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34613855

Roger Scruton makes some valuable comments in this 'A Point ofd View' piece.

I generally disagree with Roger Scruton but on this issue I stand with him. I made just this argument to Bashful here recently but it was lost on him - in brief, the right to cause offence is by magnitudes more important than the right not to be offended (if if the latter exists at all).

Ah well.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Hopester,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34613855

Roger Scruton makes some valuable comments in this 'A Point ofd View' piece.

I generally disagree with Roger Scruton but on this issue I stand with him. I made just this argument to Bashful here recently but it was lost on him - in brief, the right to cause offence is by magnitudes more important than the right not to be offended (if if the latter exists at all).

Ah well.

Have you ever thought of offending anyone Hillside?

[bluehillside Retd.]

Vluddy,

Have you ever thought of offending anyone Hillside?

Oh blimey, he's back.

The point (again) is that argument, debate, the examination of ideas is much more important than the censorship of these things because someone is offended by them. 

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Vluddy,

Have you ever thought of offending anyone Hillside?

Oh blimey, he's back.

The point (again) is that argument, debate, the examination of ideas is much more important than the censorship of these things because someone is offended by them.

Yes but what have you ever said that anyone has actually been really offended by.....rather than, as one recently deceased politician said about another, ''feeling like they had been savaged by a dead sheep''?

[Nearly Sane]

In terms of new legislation. I agree with Roger but I find the implications the article that there was free speech before this rather disingenuous.

[Hope]

The thing I tend to agree with is Scruton's comment that people create 'phobias' as a way of

explain(ing) all criticism ... it is not that kind of abuse that they have in mind. They wish to hide the truth, to shout "lies!" in the face of criticism and to silence any attempt at discussion. In my view, however, it is time to bring the truth into the open, ...

OK, this particular section (para 12) relates to the idea of Islamophobia that arose following the 9/11 events - but applies equally to other 'phobia' inventions.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Vlunderbus,

Yes but what have you ever said that anyone has actually been really offended by.....rather than, as one recently deceased politician said about another, ''feeling like they had been savaged by a dead sheep''?

You obviously have some kind of thought in your head, albeit that you don't seem to be able to articulate it. What point are you trying to make exactly?

[Jack Knave]

Vluddy,

Have you ever thought of offending anyone Hillside?

Oh blimey, he's back.

The point (again) is that argument, debate, the examination of ideas is much more important than the censorship of these things because someone is offended by them.

Thumbs up!!!