Mill’s Limits
John Corvino, Wayne State University
John Corvino, Wayne State University
Abstract:
Inspired by John Stuart Mill, free-speech advocates often claim that the best way to arrive at truth is to engage with a diversity of viewpoints; call this the “big tent” approach to free speech. But in an age of demagoguery and “fake news,” Mill’s arguments appear less compelling. There are times when more speech is clearly not truth-conducive; moreover, there are values other than truth—including solidarity with the oppressed—that can counsel against allowing certain viewpoints to be aired. In this talk, I evaluate these anti-Millian arguments in the context of contemporary debates around no-platforming and “cancel culture.” Ultimately, I aim to vindicate the Millian, “big tent” approach.