Freedom Of Speech | Should It Be Censored? - Areopagitica by John Milton

Freedom Of Speech | Should It Be Censored? - Areopagitica by John Milton - HC Vol. 3 Ep13

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Freedom Of Speech | Should It Be Censored? - Areopagitica by John Milton
Freedom to express opinion and debate ideas has been the foundational aspect of Western civilization since the inception of our culture. Without the freedom to print, write, and speak freely we lose the ability to understand what "truth" is. To seek anything beyond what is "truth", is to seek appeasement. The ability to distinguish between what is good and what is evil is rooted in our ability to choose and reason. John Milton explains all of this and more in his historical masterpiece of a speech "Areopagitica". I truly hope you enjoy this video on book 3 of volume 3 of the Harvard Classics. Truly appreciate your support for this channel as well.
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Пікірлер: 70

@pattidunkin870 6 ай бұрын

I am requiring my high school students to watch your videos as we read and discuss them in class. Thank you.

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

Oh wow! I never would have imagined that! I truly hope they find value in these videos. It feels my heart with joy knowing there are still teachers out there sharing and providing this information. Comments like this help keep me motivated to continue making these videos! Thanks so much and stay blessed!

@CheapSeats 5 ай бұрын

Outstanding job ‘Teach!

@tomluker1743 6 ай бұрын

What a great reminder of how human nature doesn't change with the times!

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

I have thought about that often while reading through these series. I did not figure many of these old stories would be as relevant as they are. It has me contemplating if we have even progressed much at all if we disregard technological advancement. Truly appreciate you watching and have a blessed weekend!

@jakelm4256 6 ай бұрын

The first couple chapters of John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty are great to read in conjunction with this. Mill puts together arguably the best defense of freedom of speech ever written.

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

I see "On Liberty" by Mill's is in the Harvard Classics so really looking forward to getting to it. It is in Vol 25... so it may be a while before I get there sadly. Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts my friend. I truly appreciate it. Have a blessed weekend!

@klosnj11 5 ай бұрын

On Liberty was the second book I read in my "awakening" 3 (ish) years ago, just after Rights of Man by Paine. It is still, in my opinion, one if the most important books I have ever read.

@scottmorschhauser4421 4 ай бұрын

Excellent summary. You have an exceptional ability to explain the relevancy of difficult writings to the current situation.

@The_Cause 4 ай бұрын

I really appreciate hearing that. Never really thought I would enjoy something like this so much but this has become a very enjoyable pass time. Thank you so much for watching and stay blessed!

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

What are your thoughts on Areopagitica? Do you think it is something we still face today or do we live in a different time that needs to be regulated in different ways? Thank you all for the support and to those who have become members of the channel. If you want to order some coffee please do so as I would love to roast a nice tasty batch up for ya. The link is in the Description.

@thepostgradyear 6 ай бұрын

I wasn't expecting to hear "brown bean yum yum to the tum tum" lol

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

I mean I slipped it in there kind of quickly.. haha

@thepostgradyear 6 ай бұрын

@@The_Cause it made you sound like you're a dad with young kids haha

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

Haha that’s hilarious. You know you are a dad when….

@thepostgradyear 6 ай бұрын

@@The_Cause it's amoosing

@mntnwzrd66 5 ай бұрын

Really impressed with what you are doing. There is a lot to be said for the Classical Liberal education. But the modern critique, that it was all part of a system of hierarchy and repression, also adds to a full picture. You might benefit from reading the System of the World series by Neal Stephenson. He is also pretty conservative, by my lights. Material on English Civil War which is the root of our divisions today. One way to look at it is that Catholics are sworn to eventually destroy democracy and free thought, quite seriously.

@The_Cause 4 ай бұрын

I am going to have to check this book out. I have not heard anything like that. Definitely interested. Thank you so much for watching my friend!

@RobPirieCedarOtaCoffee 6 ай бұрын

I’m all good until they ban coffee. Then we are picking up pitch forks and marching! Just some pitch fork toting coffee lovers looking for a tea party!

@jakelm4256 6 ай бұрын

It’s been a while since I read this, but I believe he still argues that books should be burned after publishing if they are deemed unworthy by the State. But stripping away some of his own errors, the rhetoric is some of the best ever put to paper in defense of freedom of the press.

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

You know I read that portion and I kind of interpreted that as him being sarcastic of facetious. This was my first writing to read of Milton's and I thing I would have to read more of his works to get a better sentiment of his writing style. His writing on divorce would have been counter to the religious times and I do not think he wanted his work burned. But I did pick up on that but I could not tell how serious he was about it. Very good point and honestly I wish I would have added that to this video. Hindsight strikes again.

@thepostgradyear 6 ай бұрын

man that's a spicy title lol wait a second I heard commonplace book haha ban alcohol that'll probably end well xD I liked the Galileo sub plot btw congrats on getting a video past 100k! I'm looking forward to the next video when you talk about things which are similar to that original video

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

Thanks brother! I feel the title is click bait but then the click bait is actually what happened. So I feel justified in using the bait. Haha. Truly appreciate you watching my friend. Have a blessed weekend!

@thepostgradyear 6 ай бұрын

@@The_Cause it certainly got my attention!

@JamesAdams-ev6fc 5 ай бұрын

Great job, Rob! This is what used to make education truly exciting. And it isn't limited to higher education by any means.

@The_Cause 4 ай бұрын

Yes indeed! I have honestly learned more in the making of this series than I did during entire classes growing up. Really looking forward to where my mind will be after I finish the other 47 volumes! Haha truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed!

@brentonh1626 5 ай бұрын

I haven't ready Areopagitica since college, but I love Milton. Just reread Paradise Lost for the 3rd (I think?) time a few months ago. I'm excited that you're going to get to read it soon! BTW: In university I was taught that it was pronounced "air ee ah pah jit i kuh".

@The_Cause 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for info on pronunciation and I am very much indeed looking forward to Paradise lost. I have heard so much about it that I kind of have high hopes for it. I hope it lives up to them at this point! haha Thanks so much for watching my friend!

@stretmediq 3 ай бұрын

You should read The Bill of Rights by Irving Brant. It's not about the first 10 amendments as the title would suggest but the history behind the thought that went into the writing of the constitution and specifically the 1st and 14th amendments and the court cases that influenced them and their interpretation both before and after they were ratified starting with the Star Chamber trials in England which the Crown used to punish writers, publishers and booksellers who criticized the government under the charge of seditious libel. It will give you a deeper understanding of the constitution and how it and our rights evolved

@The_Cause 3 ай бұрын

I will definitely look into it. I remember when I was reading a biography on Patrick Henry that he was against the constitutional convention and was adamant about not supporting it unless there was a bill of rights attached. Even though some things are undeniable and self evident it helps to have them written down for even further clarity. Reading about this period makes you realize how polarizing the constitution was even when it was created. Def will check it out and thanks so much for watching!

@tjsurname119 6 ай бұрын

I have binge watched The Cause since discovering your channel only a few days ago. I was broadly familiar with very few of the books covered in this fine series thus far. I am attempting to source the full set of books through the fastest means, because I just found my New Years Resolution that I had been praying for in this fine series ! Thank you Sir.

@The_Cause 4 ай бұрын

That’s so awesome to hear! I purchased my set on Facebook marketplace but there may be some on eBay as well. Good luck on your search and stay blessed my friend! Truly appreciate you watching!

@insearchofwonder 6 ай бұрын

So I was only listening with half my brain while inputting grades, but the fourth argument struck me as the strongest one. Some of his thoughts I disagreed with in particularly the third argument - I haven't taken the time to puzzle through them, but I feel instinctively some logic might be lacking there. Except I know Milton was considerably more intelligent than myself, so I wouldn't stake my life on that opinion. 😁I recently found your channel through another BookTuber, and I am enjoying hearing your thoughts, and am challenged to attempt to read some of these works.

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

I believe his fourth argument is the best as well and I think if I knew more of the history his first would be higher up on my list. I truly hope you have a great day with your students and thank you so much for watching and sharing your thoughts! Stay blessed!

@jimmyhill9743 6 ай бұрын

This is an insightful and thoughtful video. Especially in making you think.

@The_Cause 4 ай бұрын

It will definitely make you think. Many of these old works break a subject down in such a simple way that I can’t believe I never thought of it like that before. The wording can be intimidating but the concepts are so foundational. Thanks so much for watching my friend and stay blessed!

@11227denis 6 ай бұрын

Excited for this one!

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

I truly hope you enjoy it. I honestly really liked reading through this one. Have a blessed weekend!

@BookZealots 6 ай бұрын

Oh my, your sneaky truth bombs were priceless! Adding Areopagitica to my tbr. I'm currently reading a book that was not on my monthly tbr, no shock, but it mentioned the nazis burning books because they were afraid of what was in them. Rightfully so. One of the most powerful weapons in a war of ideas is books. And certain people just don't want others to think for themselves. I'll always be a rebel. LOL

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

haha I tried to keep it sneaky. Didn't want to mention the wrong term and get "censored". We have to be unconventional rebels these days it seems but I agree with you on the right to read whatever books we want! Keep up the good fight and thanks so much for watching. Stay blessed!

@nickkrupa3818 6 ай бұрын

Great video! I always appreciate the historical context you provide. I noticed that many others in the comment section expressed their preference for Mill's defense of free speech over Milton's. I will add another vote for Mill.

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

Nick! Where are you at in the series now? Have you made it to Mill already? Thanks so much for watching brother and I hope 2024 has started out well for you. Stay blessed!

@nickkrupa3818 6 ай бұрын

Haha I haven't reached Mill's volume yet. I'm bogged down in Emerson, whose writing is too abstract for me to understand. I look forward to you clarifying some things for me when you get there. Milton's Paradise Lost in Vol. 4 is the highlight of the series so far for me - beautiful language and imagery.@@The_Cause

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

I am looking forward to paradise lost! The prose and non fiction have been wearing on me. That will hopefully be a nice break.

@Kvell55 6 ай бұрын

Very insightful and beautiful. Thank you.

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! I truly appreciate you watching and have a blessed weekend!

@evildead167 5 ай бұрын

Looking forward to your video on Tractate of Education. I'm especially interested in your thoughts on the importance John Milton placed on learning languages. This is an area where the American education system really lags behind European countries. Then again, how important is Latin and ancient Greek really?

@The_Cause 4 ай бұрын

The further I get into this series and the more I learn about it the more I understand the importance of Greek and Latin. It is easy not to value the hammer when all you have used is your fist in the past. I don’t know what I am missing so I can’t judge it with any clarity. The tractate was a great read though. Truly enjoyed it. What is your opinion on languages like Greek and Latin?

@evildead167 4 ай бұрын

@@The_Cause I agree that there is a lot of value in learning Greek and Latin. I maintain a desire to one day read Marcus Aurelius' Meditations in the original Koinē Greek. I've unfortunately always been a hopeless student of languages, so this is likely never going to happen. Blame it on my dyslexia. How about you, Rob? Have you ever studied any languages outside of English?

@RadiusG60 5 ай бұрын

Devil's advocate might say - the houses of the government had representatives from all institutions of importance that could give the OK (license) to publish anything so long as they were convinced that item was not supporting efforts to undermine the public well being. Determining who is your representative in the house of commons was your way of addressing where to draw the line in the free speech argument. Here in modern times, in the US, both sides of the isle are manipulative in the pursuit of power including making arguments that they are protecting the public by controlling free speech. The right currently is currently caught up in decency arguments about pedophilia and communism, all misinformation that needs to be controlled. The left is caught up with controlling historical writings that they claim is a smoke screen for propagation of racist and sexist societies. Each side has a different reasoning/explanation of free speech and claims the other is educating kids inappropriately and is against free speech. Each side claims the Russians and Chinese are inserting media aimed at destabilizing freedom. These arguments have been going on since I was a kid in the 60's. No amount of education is going to change anything because every generation just ends up competing for power. These ideas are just tools in the toolbox to be twisted to use against your opponents. Purity of ideas like this are like Santa Claus and the tooth fairy, leave them behind when you get past a certain age. Seems odd Milton was arguing for free speech and supporting Oliver Cromwell at the same time, seems highly inconsistent at best and hypocritical at worst. I wonder what the explanation could be? I am probably overly cynical.

@gargleblasta 5 ай бұрын

Damn... So little has changed😂

@The_Cause 4 ай бұрын

Yes indeed! Haha thanks for watching!

@leviofficer4463 6 ай бұрын

A tyrant with a large and well-disciplined army has the luxury of declaring to his subjects, "Argue as much as you will, and about what you will, only obey!" But a republic has no such luxury, for if a people in a republic are allowed to question everything, eventually their criticisms will extend to undermining the essential supports of their own republic. This is the paradox of free speech, absolute free speech leads in the end to absolute subjugation.

@roymarshall_ 5 ай бұрын

This operates under the assumption that humans are not capable of supporting a republic on its own merits, and it seems like the only conclusion to draw from that is to either maximize their liberty by allowing them to destroy it or maximize their happiness by having a benevolent dictator

@The_Cause 2 ай бұрын

This is a very good comment and very relevant almost to what we are seeing today. Republics seem to only work while the people that make up the republic hold the same virtues, morals, and values. Too much arguing over the core of the republics foundational traits undermines it. Allowing for political/power seekers to manipulate their way into the system and gain control. Very good point and I truly appreciate you bringing it up!

@FABRA_IRMAOS 6 ай бұрын

Thats Brazil in 1964

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

I am going to have to read more on Brazil. I follow Brazil a good bit in regards to coffee and production of coffee but do not know much outside of that area. Are you from there?

@bart-v 6 ай бұрын

Nil novi sub sole.

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

So very true. I am sure 500 years from now, we will be fighting against the same thing. Thanks so much for watching my friend!

@bart-v 6 ай бұрын

@@The_Cause The pleasure is totally mine. I have a first edition of the great books series and your "great video" series is a wonderful complement while reading them. So thank you very much for your work. (hope you'll do a series on the "great books of the western world" after this one).

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

I picked up a set of the Great Books a few weeks back. Very intimidating set. If people continue to enjoy this series and I can devote more time to it, I would very much consider doing the great books as well. I just realize that is about a 10 year commitment if I do. haha

@jonhstonk7998 6 ай бұрын

heh ¨British Parliament try not to be tyrannical challenge¨ it will never not be funny to me how in England the Parliament tended to always be more controlling than the kings

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

I definitely want to read more about this period of England regarding Cromwell. I do not feel like I have a clear understanding what was all going on during this time. I need to find a good book that breaks this time period down. I think it would also help me understand these writings a little better. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed my friend!

@Uncle_Jacob 6 ай бұрын

It is interesting isn't it.

@jonhstonk7998 6 ай бұрын

@@Uncle_Jacob democratic states always were a mistake so while it is interesting it is certainly not unexpected.

@jonhstonk7998 6 ай бұрын

@@The_Cause do you wish for some recommendations about channels, books, and other content on the period of the English civil wars which were primarily waged between the roundheads(Parliament supporters) and the Chevaliers(Monarchy supporters)?

@The_Cause 6 ай бұрын

If you know of any I would love to hear any recommendations.