Speech Theories - Eight Values of Expression

Out of the Eight Values of Free Expression, the fourth one of Individual Self-Fulfillment resonates with me the most. Individual Self-Fulfillment can also be referred to as Self-Actualization, the realization of one’s potential and the full development of one’s abilities and appreciation for life. This concept connects to Individual Self-Fulfillment as it’s a discovery free speech can guide us to. Free speech enables individuals to express themselves, which helps us create our identity while becoming an aspect of human dignity, human agency, and autonomy. 

Self-Fulfillment resonates with me because it’s a maximizing conception. Its superlatives consist of desire and achievement, which play into human thriving. Seeking to thrive is pretty much an ultimate type of goal. I personally try to come as close to thriving as I can in my everyday life. To thrive means to prosper or flourish, overall seeking for a good human life. To me, a good human life includes trying new things, overcoming challenges, learning through experience, and so much more. Being able to experiment and express ourselves freely allows us all to figure ourselves out, getting us as close as we can to reaching our highest self.

The sixth value of Free Expression, Promote Tolerance, feels the most important to me of the eight listed. It has been argued that we can become more tolerant in other aspects of life through our practice of extending protection to speech that we find either hateful or upsetting. Since this practice teaches us to be more tolerant in varying life aspects, it’s also argued that a more tolerant society is better. Yes, the First Amendment protects hate speech because it helps society learn why it’s hateful and deserves rebuke. Basically, hate speech is how we spread norms about what behavior is acceptable. 

This value strikes me as important because it seems counter-intuitive yet works beneficially. I also often see this value through social media, as it’s internet-based and full of platforms with endless outlets designed for individuality. With numerous users active on it today, it’s crucial that we understand toleration and show respect for a diversity of viewpoints that may come our way. This theory helps explain what’s going on in the real world as it allows us to express, tolerate, respect, and learn from diverse opinions rather than censoring them.

The value that I see in action today and is most personal to me is the eighth one, Protect Dissent. Protect Dissent under the First Amendment protects minority views, regardless of popularity status. We all have a strongly protected right to disagree with the government. According to those like Steve Shiffrin, we should encourage dissent since it’s our patriotic duty to criticize the government. Today, millions of people are active social media users, which translates into millions of different opinions on almost everything. This includes ones on the government, and those seem neverending. With the average person wanting their voice to be heard and their opinion to be valued, social media is full of varying views. Understanding the good of Protect Dissent allows for an assortment of new views, points, and overall ideas.