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>Why? It makes no sense to me. Why can't people have their opinions and agree to disagree on ones they don't agree on. Don't you feel such calls go against free
by cerebellum42 10y ago
>Why? It makes no sense to me. Why can't people have their opinions and agree to disagree on ones they don't agree on. Don't you feel such calls go against free speech?
I'm pretty sure this is a fundamental misunderstanding of free speech. Free speech means the governing body can't forbid you from expressing your opinion or punish you for it.
It does not mean other people or organizations can't take action based on their disagreement with your opinions and it doesn't mean expressing an opinion has to be without consequence from anything.
- SamBam 10y agoLegally, that's what free speech means, but philosophically Free Speech can certainly be more general than just related to the government. Voltaire's "...but I'll defend to the death your right to say it," comes to mind. We'd generally feel the same way if a company were enforcing completely arbitrary abridgment of free speech on its employees. Or if a private school were (legally) kicking kids out because they supported Black Lives Matter.
- cerebellum42 10y agoI did forget one thing that still falls under free speech (even legally probably), aside from the state not stopping you from expressing your opinion, it should protect your ability to do so. As in, not allowing anyone to silence you, but even that has its boundaries since silencing someone is not the same as not perpetuating what they say. The examples you gave are ones where the effect on that person's life would be so fundamental that it could easily be considered an intrusion into their rights. Boycotting a company or choosing to end a business partnership are completely different in that regard.