8 Values of Free Expression

The 8 values of free expression are all necessary to have the freedom we enjoy internally. Of these 8, the two most important to me are the Marketplace of Ideas by John Milton and Stable Change by Benedict Spinoza.

The Marketplace of ideas is a theory that basically demonstrates the importance of an open space to share ideas, factual or not. This idea is fairly intuitive, but Milton specifically commented on the theory that when all ideas are shared, the truth will beat out the lies. 

Rutgers University professor Alvin Goldman summarizes Milton's ideas by saying that this marketplace can operate similarly to the economy. When the Government is removed from the economy, the competition will drive lower prices and better products. Just with ideas, when the Government does not limit any speech, the competitive nature will force only the truth to prevail.

To me, this idea is the foundation of every intellectual advancement we have every made. Consider, how would progress be possible if we cannot learn from others? 

The biggest counterargument to this is rooted in the modern use of social media and how easy it is to post false information. For the most part, however, we are a self correcting community who will point out when something is not adding up. For that reason, I am still confident in this theory.

The Stable Change theory is the idea that angry or alienated citizens need to be able to speak their opinions rather than resort to violence. 

Benedict Spinoza

Being exiled from the Jewish community at age 23, Benedict Spinoza was always considering the issue of
conflicting thought.

Justin Steinberg, student research assistant for Stanford University, wrote about Spinoza's political philosophy. He understood this theory to be one that fights for "freedom of thought and expression and the subordination of religion to the state." 

All this means is that our personal thoughts have to come first. Then, we need to be able to express those thoughts as we wish. Then, if there is an issue, the government can issue subsequent consequences. In a world where your government doesn't allow you to express dissenting opinion, oppressed groups would have no choice but to resort to violence to enact change.

Without either of these two ideas, we would not have civilized society.