The Evolution of Free Speech

This chapter explores the historical development of free speech, tracing its origins from ancient ideas to its formal emergence in 18th-century England. It highlights the critical impact of pivotal figures like Thomas Gordon and John Trenchard, whose writings, especially Cato's Letters, inspired the American revolutionaries and shaped the legal framework of the First Amendment. The discussion also examines the philosophical intersections of free speech with religious expression, illustrating the complexities of safeguarding this fundamental right.