The Limitations of Freedom of Speech

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This chapter explores the limitations of freedom of speech in modern society, discussing the fear of career-ending consequences for expressing certain statements and the shift from autocratic to liberal societies imposing censorship. It reflects on the inability of 20th century liberals to predict the current situation and highlights concerns about the excesses of progressivism and the threat it poses to our culture.

Sam Harris speaks with John Gray about the possibility of moral and political progress. They discuss historical and current threats to freedom of thought, the limits of law, the spread of dangerous technology, failures of convergence on norms and values, Arthur Koestler, de-industrialization in Europe, fellow travelers and the progressive embrace of barbarism, Bertrand Russell, the absurdity of pacifism, utilitarianism, the moral landscape, George Santayana, moral and scientific realism, pragmatism, atheism, Schopenhauer, liberalism as an historical accident, and other topics.

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