Education, Not Censorship

Hate speech on the internet is an extremely controversial subject in the realm of free speech.  Assuming, for the sake of argument, that we are dealing with hate speech that does not rise to the level of incitement or threats, I would posit that the best remedy for a pluralistic democracy to deal with such speech is to place a larger importance on education and critical thinking, rather than engage in any form of online censorship.

As mentioned in the text, the internet provides a medium for people who would otherwise be marginalized in everyday society to share their anti-social ideas and arguments.  This, obviously, can be a double-edged sword.  For young adults who feel they don't conform to the norms of their peers, such an outlet seems to be quite therapeutic, and seems to decrease the feeling of isolation.  On the other hand, the internet also provides a forum for racist and homophobic groups.

To maintain our liberal society, it seems to be the best method by which to protect young minds from being absorbed by online hate speech is to make sure they are well educated.  By continuing to teach the terrors of the holocaust, young people see what happens when anti-semtic rhetoric transforms into state action.  By educating the youth about hate crimes, students are able to see that ideas can turn into violent acts.  By providing students with critical thinking skills, students will be able to weigh arguments, and decide for themselves what type of political speech is most persuasive.

The Ring of Gyges and Online Anonymity

For my first blog of the semester, I'm keeping it pretty general, but hope to return to the following theme at later dates. 


In Book II of Plato's Republic, Plato uses the allegory of the ring of Gyges as a tool to discuss whether a person would remain virtuous if he did not have to fear the social consequences of his actions.  Whoever wears the ring has the power to become invisible at will (think Frodo in The Lord of the Rings).  Glaucon, one of Plato's interlocutors, argues that people only act justly because of the social pressure to do so.  Given the power the ring grants, "No man would keep his hands off what was not his own when he could safely take what he liked out of the market, or go into houses and lie with any one at his pleasure, or kill or release from prison whom he would, and in all respects be like a god among men."


Now, Plato happens to have a different conception of justice than his character Glaucon.  For Plato, justice is an intrinsic good, not a social construction developed on consensus.  But, the point for this blog is simply the power of anonymity, and what effect it has on a person's behavior.  Chat rooms, message boards, and other online platforms grant users the ability to speak freely, without disclosing the user's name or identity.  In other words, every time a person logs on, he activates his ring of Gyges. 


The power of anonymity can be a very important political tool.  People are able to speak freely, to criticize the government or advocate change, without fear of reprisal.  On the other hand, I think many of us have seen how extreme speech can be online when the speaker doesn't have to worry about those words being attached to the speaker in "real life."