FINAL EXAM

Question 1

Scanlon and the Millian Principle

Answer 1

To Scanlon, a legit government respects people’s status as autonomous citizens

1. the governemnt may not impose restrictions that autonomous citizens could not accept
2. autonomous citizens couldn’t accept restrictions imposed on the exercise of their own judgement
3. to restrict acts of expression against the Millian Principle is to impose restrictions on the exercise of the citizens own judgement
4. so, the Millian principle is true

Question 1

Scanlon and freedom of speech

Answer 1

1. individuals should be treated with equal respect and have the right to express themselves within a society
2. freedom of expression helps in creating public discourse - needed for societies
3. he strongly opposes censorship and restrictions on speech bc it undermines open discussion and the pursuit of truth
4. the harm principle: however, restrictions are justified if expression poses a serious threat to others – but expression -> a harmful belief -> does not count under this
5. society benefits from a wide range of ideas and suppression of freedom of expression limits this