Why regulate hate speech? Considerations on human dignity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-7984.2025.e102113Keywords:
Freedom of speech, Hate speech, Social bases of self-respect, DignityAbstract
In this paper, I would like to investigate a question which, confronted with the natural connection between freedom of speech and another fundamental values, is apparently counterintuitive: in which measure freedom of speech (or certain regimes of freedom of speech) can contribute to weaken such values, instead of strengthen them? Above all, I would like to think in which measure the most restrictive position regarding speech regulation contributes to the flourishing of a democratic society. The paper discuses two arguments present in the literature opposed to speech regulation. The first one suggests that laws against hate speech impose restrictions to autonomy (Baker, 1997; 2010). The second one assumes that legislation that penalizes hate expressions weakens the legitimacy of anti-discrimination laws (Dworking, 2006; 2010). I intend to suggest that a regime of freedom of speech that follows the restrictive position actually operates the opposite of what those authors affirm: in encouraging the spreading of prejudices and the inducement of hate, it fosters a hostile environment towards certain social groups e clashes with the idea of human dignity, which is paramount to the constitution of a democratic society (Waldron, 2012).
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