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A Plea for Understanding--Beyond False Dilemmas on the Netby Charles EssAuthor's Note: I first presented this argument as part of a panel discussion during the 10th Annual Conference on Computers and Philosophy, Carnegie Mellon University, August 10- 12, 1995. My thanks to all whose questions and criticisms helped correct and sharpen this position. One of the weaknesses of the "free speech/pornography/censorship" debate is that it often leads to a simple dilemma between two morally objectionable options: either we support free speech without restrictions (even when such unrestricted free speech includes pedophilia and snuff pornography) - or we endorse censorship of some forms of speech.
There are several reasons for rejecting this dilemma: consider,
for example,
In addition, in my view, this dilemma is a false one: it misses a third alternative which may satisfy interests on both sides.
To see this third alternative, I begin with a
Charles Ess is Professor and Chair of the Philosophy and Religion Department, Drury College. He received an EDUCOM award for his work with IRIS Intermedia as well as awards for outstanding teaching. His most recent publications include "Reading Adam and Eve: Re-Visions of the Myth of Woman's Subordination to Man," in Marie Fortune and Carol J. Adams, eds. Violence against Women and Children: A Theological Sourcebook in the Christian Tradition (New York: Continuum Press, 1995), 92-120. He is also editor of Philosophical Perspectives on Computer-Mediated Communication (New York: SUNY Press, 1996).
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