| Fisher, Sarah A. and Howard, Jeffrey W. 2026. Free speech facts. Baderin, Alice and Miller, David, eds. Why Political Theory Needs Social Science, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 194-211. (10.1093/oso/9780198914976.003.0011) |
Abstract
This chapter shows how philosophical debate over speech is entwined with empirical issues, with many disagreements in the free speech literature turning on questions about facts rather than on questions about values. Attending to these empirical puzzles—about the consequences of free speech, about whether speech causes or constitutes harm, and about the efficacy and costs of speech restrictions—helps us to see more clearly where and why we disagree about speech rights and regulation. The chapter goes on to address the problem of empirical uncertainty. What should the political philosopher—who aspires to offer guidance on speech regulation—do upon realizing that her position depends on contestable empirical claims? The authors emphasize the need for a normative theory of decision-making under uncertainty that can inform policy responses to potentially harmful speech and help to determine when regulation is warranted in the face of limited evidence about its efficacy.
| Item Type: | Book Section |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Schools > English, Communication and Philosophy |
| Publisher: | Oxford University Press |
| ISBN: | 9780198914976 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Mar 2026 10:46 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/185935 |
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