Submitted by ziq in AnarchistFAQ
Hey ziq, question about your "New Anarchist FAQ" that you're compiling — in the section about "Free Speech," you do not address the concept or principle of Free Speech itself; what is discussed is rather 1) state policies and 2) hate speech.
The piece would be stronger if you address the philosophical concept of Free Speech, not as an abstract thing defined by the state, but as a real action that any human being can apply in their lives. Free Speech is an offshoot of agency and autonomy.
To what extent do you think you'll try to address the actual concept of Free Speech, rather than its misapplied appropriations by the state and alt-right bigots?
OdiousOutlaw wrote (edited )
I'm honestly drawing a blank here.
I don't think the "philosophical concept of free speech" exists; it is inseparable from the state in my mind; it refers to a limit that the state puts on itself in order to appease the masses. This reminds me of the concept of "natural rights". Any other definition can be attributed to better words.
The closest thing to "free speech" that connects to the idea of "a real action that any human being can apply in their lives" is, well, talking. Is a conversation between two people "free speech"? Is a criticism of one individual by another "free speech"? Do animals have "free speech"? If not, what about someone that can only communicate via body language? I feel like applying a western concept that has always been related to the business of the state as a natural human action is inaccurate and reifies a thing that I honestly think attaching to anarchism is a mistake since it also appeals to statist/western/liberal values.