> Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Since this was even uttered by a judge, there's been a lot of discussion as to why this i

> Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Since this was even uttered by a judge, there's been a lot of discussion as to why this is neither absolute, nor nearly as clear cut, nor does it speak for everyone. Words hurt me (and they likely hurt you too), but the question is not only of hurt but actual harms. The idea that words categorically cannot be harms in themselves rests upon a foundation supported neither by materialist philosophy, nor by what we know of human biology[0]. >Words are just words In a similar way, aren't actions just actions? Why stop at words? There is no fundamental metaphysical difference between expression and other actions. [0] http://susanbrison.com/files/B.16.-speech_harm_and_the_mindbody_problem_in_first_amendment_jurisprudence.pdf http://susanbrison.com/files/B.16.-speech_harm_and_the_mindb...