Talking About ~Speech Theories~
I find the Self-Fulfillment Theory of the Eight
Values of Free Speech very important. We are all aware that freedom of speech is a means of expression. However, this theory dives deeper into this concept and emphasizes the aspect of human dignity and autonomy. The theory justifies that, "the protection of freedom of speech for reasons that are not connected directly to the collective search for truth or the processes of self-government, or for any other conceptualization of the common good" (Smolla). In other words, speech is protected not because of a collective good, but rather because of the value it has to the individual. The right to speak your mind, precisely just because it is your mind and to a certain extent the capacity to think, share, create, and imagine, is something we need to culturally emphasize in our society. I find this especially intriguing considering this aspect of speech or rather, the cognitive function to be self-reflective and maintain conscious thought, is truly what separates us from animals. Our ability to be meta-cognitive, consciously aware of our thinking, and our understanding of free-will is what puts the human race in superiority despite our biological weaknesses that most animals have over us. Speech is simply just the mechanism in which we may express and articulate this free-will, meta-cognition, and consciousness in general. For this reason, words and linguistics are extremely powerful tools (at times weapons) to utilize in not only self-advocacy but in identity and agency. Speech is the common mean (despite language barriers) in which we may connect and voice ourselves. This theory specifically highlights this dynamic and emphasizes the importance of it in regard to our "central capacity to reason and wonder" (Smolla).
Our cognitive functions are truly remarkable. Sadly enough, many do not realize the gravity of this miraculous feature humanity possesses and how transformative its utilization can be. The mind has the ability to reason, emphasize, innovate, and create the seemingly impossible. Through thought, different forms of expression arise. From math to studio art and even film, all these forms of expression find their roots within free thought and the ability to use that thought to create new original concepts, ideas, and compositions. If we were to categorize this phenomenon, we could justify it as freedom in general. Freedom to be able to explore your mind, whether its mathematically rooted, scientifically intrigued, or creatively driven, is this innate human right. The "right to think is the beginning of freedom…" this is why "speech must be protected from the government because speech is the beginning of thought’’ (Smolla). C. Edwin Baker was the main name driving this theory of Self-Fulfillment, for he was well aware of not only its moral impact, but its importance in outward perception and expression. As stated before, speech is protected for no grander reason other than because of its value to the individual, its innate aspect of the expression of the mind simply because it's one's mind. Truly, our minds are to be prioritized as they hold the key to all solutions of this world. It is only a matter of how we utilize our thoughts to arrive at those solutions.
Unfortunately, there are those who use their mind, and to a further extent their speech, to cause harm and create negativity. However, the risk of evil and wrong-doing can never out justify the good that conversely follows. The bad may be necessary in order to find the good. And if free speech was not protected for this reason, then half the remedies, transformations, and miracles we have found and were able to express due to amazing minds, would be lost amongst us; that would truly be the worst injustice we could ever impose on ourselves.
References:
Smolla, Rodney A.“ Self-Fulfillment Theory of Free Speech.” Civil Liberties and Civil Rights in the United States, uscivilliberties.org/themes/4465-self-fulfillment-theory-of-free-speech.html.
First Amendment Theorists, media.okstate.edu/faculty/jsenat/jb3163/theorists.html.
