essay on freedom of thought

Essays on Freedom of Thought and Expression

Below are four essays that we hope will help teachers to articulate the reasons why freedom of thought and expression are so important in schools, and the ways those freedoms foster healthy intellectual development.

These essays were authored by highly-regarded educators at the request of the Educational Liberty Alliance . Each piece is a reflection on the relevance of a selected philosophical quote to the learning process, to academic excellence, and to the betterment of society generally.

We look forward to hearing about the impact that these essays have on discussions about freedom of thought and expression in schools across the country. Please use our contact portal to share your stories with us.

On the Power of One's Own Thoughts:

"Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one’s thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist. That, of all rights, is the dread of tyrants. It is the right which they first of all strike down. They know its power." -Frederick Douglass

Professor Jonathan Zimmerman, one of the foremost education historians working today, has written an essay about why freedom speech is essential for improving the lives of disadvantaged people.

On the Pursuit of Truth:

"The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error." -J. S. Mill, On Liberty

Professor John McGinnis, the George C. Dix Professor in Constitutional Law at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law, has written an essay about why John Stuart Mill’s emphasis on cultivating epistemic openness—a willingness to hear all sides—is an essential skill for teachers to model at all levels of the educational system.

On the Importance of Intellectual Humility:

"There is no greater barrier to understanding than the assumption that the standpoint which we happen to occupy is a universal one." -H. Richard Niebuhr

Professor John Rose of Duke University has written an essay about the dangers of totalizing theories and the importance of intellectual humility.

On the Opportunity for Self-Discovery:

"The teacher ought also to be especially on his guard against taking unfair advantage of the students' immaturity by indoctrinating him with the teacher’s own opinions before the student has had an opportunity fairly to examine other opinions upon the matters of question, and before he has sufficient knowledge and ripeness in judgment to be entitled to form any definitive opinion of his own." -American Association of University Professors Declaration of Principles, 1915

Professor Erec Smith of York College of York College of Pennsylvania has written an essay about the importance of individuality and self-discovery.

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Essays on freedom of thought and expression

The Educational Liberty Alliance has heard from concerned parents and teachers that they need assistance articulating the ways in which freedom of thought and expression are so important in the educational setting. Taking on the mantle, the Alliance has asked several well-regarded educators to expound on certain philosophical quotes that we have selected and to flesh out their relevance to the learning process, to academic excellence, and to the betterment of society generally. We will post each of the essays as they become available. 

Interested parents and teachers can use these essays in any way that they find helpful as they seek to preserve the freedoms that are foundational to an educational environment. For example, a parent running for the school board may rely on the essays for inspiration, parents and teachers may use them to articulate their concerns and enlist their peers to join in the effort, and parents and teachers can use the essays to persuade school board members and administrators to adopt a statement in favor of freedom of thought and to honor it. 

We look forward to hearing about the impact that these essays have on discussions about freedom of thought and expression in schools across the country. Please use our contact portal to share your stories with us.

power of one's own thoughts

"Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one’s thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist. That, of all rights, is the dread of tyrants. It is the right which they first of all strike down. They know its power."

-Frederick Douglass

Professor Jonathan Zimmerman, one of the foremost education historians working today, has written an essay about why freedom speech is essential for improving the lives of disadvantaged people.

Pursuit of truth .

"The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error."

-J. S. Mill, On Liberty

Professor John McGinnis, the George C. Dix Professor in Constitutional Law at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law, has written an essay about why John Stuart Mill’s emphasis on cultivating epistemic openness—a willingness to hear all sides—is an essential skill for teachers to model at all levels of the educational system.

Importance of intellectual humility, importance of intellectual humility .

"There is no greater barrier to understanding than the assumption that the standpoint which we happen to occupy is a universal one."

-H. Richard Niebuhr 

Professor John Rose of Duke University has written an essay about the dangers of totalizing theories and the importance of intellectual humility.

"The teacher ought also to be especially on his guard against taking unfair advantage of the students' immaturity by indoctrinating him with the teacher’s own opinions before the student has had an opportunity fairly to examine other opinions upon the matters of question, and before he has sufficient knowledge and ripeness in judgment to be entitled to form any definitive opinion of his own."

-American Association of University Professors Declaration of Principles, 1915

opportunity for self-discovery

Professor Erec Smith of York College of York College of Pennsylvania has written an essay about the importance of individuality and self-discovery.

Essay on Freedom

Essay generator.

Freedom of thought, the foundational element of human consciousness and society, is the liberty to hold or consider a fact, viewpoint, or thought independent of others’ viewpoints. In this essay, we will explore the depths of freedom of thought, its significance, challenges, and its vital role in fostering individual and societal growth, especially relevant for students entering essay writing competitions.

Freedom of Thought

Freedom of thought, often interlinked with freedom of expression, is the ability to think and process information without undue influence. It includes the right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds. This freedom is the bedrock of personal autonomy, creativity, and a democratic society.

Historical Context

The concept of freedom of thought has deep historical roots, tracing back to ancient civilizations. The Enlightenment period, however, marked a significant shift. Philosophers like John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau championed individual rights and freedoms, influencing modern democratic societies.

The Scope and Limitations

While freedom of thought is inherent, its practice can be limited by societal norms, government policies, and even self-censorship due to fear of social backlash. A society’s maturity is often gauged by how it balances freedom of thought with responsibilities and respect for others.

Importance in Education

In educational settings, freedom of thought is crucial. It encourages critical thinking, innovation, and problem-solving skills. When students are free to explore diverse ideas, they develop cognitive flexibility and a deeper understanding of the world.

Case Studies

• Socratic Method : The teaching philosophy of Socrates, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking, exemplifies freedom of thought in education.
• Modern Education Systems : Progressive educational systems prioritize student-led learning, encouraging free thought and exploration over rote memorization.

Challenges to Freedom of Thought

• Censorship and Propaganda : Governments or organizations may attempt to control or manipulate information.
• Social Pressure and Conformity : Peer pressure or societal expectations can stifle individual thought.
• Misinformation and Media Bias : In the digital age, the spread of false information can influence public opinion and restrict informed independent thinking.

Freedom of Thought in Democracy

In democratic societies, freedom of thought is a pillar. It supports the electorate’s ability to make informed decisions, promotes open discussion, and prevents the tyranny of the majority.

Historical Examples

• The American Revolution : The fight for independence was grounded in the desire for individual rights and freedoms.
• Civil Rights Movement : Activists fought for equality and justice, showcasing the power of collective free thought in driving social change.

Global Perspective

Globally, freedom of thought varies significantly. In some nations, it’s a fundamental right, while in others, it’s severely restricted. Understanding these differences is crucial for fostering global citizenship and empathy.

Technology’s Role

The advent of the internet and social media has revolutionized access to information, but it also presents new challenges:

• Digital Surveillance : Raises concerns about privacy and free expression.
• Echo Chambers : Social media algorithms can create echo chambers, limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints.

Personal Development and Freedom of Thought

Freedom of thought is integral to personal development. It enables individuals to form their beliefs, values, and opinions, which are essential for self-identity and moral growth.

Future of Freedom of Thought

Looking forward, the protection and promotion of freedom of thought will be crucial in addressing global challenges. It will be essential in innovation, addressing climate change, and promoting social justice.

In conclusion, the guide on freedom thinking has illuminated the power of critical thought and open-mindedness. By encouraging individuals to question, explore, and challenge conventional wisdom, this guide empowers them to embrace the liberating potential of free thinking. It highlights the importance of diverse perspectives and the pursuit of knowledge in fostering intellectual freedom and driving positive change in society.

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Freedom of Thought

2020, Social Philosophy and Policy

This essay introduces basic issues that make up the topic of freedom of thought, including newly emerging issues raised by the current proliferation of Internet search algorithms.

Related papers

→ The increasing impact of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) on the way we think, feel and behave calls for a new perspective on regulation to protect our rights to freedom of thought and opinion. → There are three key elements to the right to freedom of thought and all are affected by technology: the right to keep our thoughts and opinions private, the right not to have our thoughts and opinions manipulated, and the right not to be penalized for our thoughts and opinions. → International human rights law prohibits states from violating our rights and puts a positive obligation on them to protect our absolute right to freedom of thought from the activities of businesses by creating adequate legal and regulatory frameworks. → Protecting freedom of thought requires innovation from technologists and law makers to think very carefully about the future we want and to create the incentives we need to protect freedom of thought and drive technological innovation in a new direction for the future.

Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, 2021

This study examines the theoretical scope and potential violations of the first right in article 18 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: freedom of thought. Drawing on international jurisprudence, scholarship and the perspectives of diverse stakeholders, it first examines four proposed attributes of this right: (a) freedom not to disclose one’s thoughts; (b) freedom from punishment for one’s thoughts; (c) freedom from impermissible alteration of one’s thoughts; and (d) an enabling environment for freedom of thought. Second, the report highlights potential violations of the right across seven diverse fields: torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; surveillance; coercive proselytism, anti-conversion and anti-blasphemy efforts; intellectual freedom and education; existing and emerging technologies; mental health; and conversion practices. Finally, the study makes key recommendations to multilateral, State and various non-State actors on how to respect, protect and fulfil the right to freedom of thought. It encourages the United Nations human rights system to further clarify the freedom’s scope and content, including through a general comment.

Human Rights, Rule of Law and the Contemporary Social Challenges in Complex Societies, 2015

Web search engines are a very important mean to fight information overload's consequences, but this makes them the gate to digital information of any type and purpose. The cyberspace is accessed through such complex and automated tools: software agents execute secret and complex algorithms and make information easily reachable or hidden, but anomalies and bugs may have serious consequences. Private entities provide such services, on a global (e.g. Google), or local but relevant scale (e.g. Baidu). After the Google Spain case, literature on the right to be forgotten is growing. This paper aims at go further, investigating both the right to access on line information and to be correctly and neutrally indexed by web search engines. The law must regulate this topic, making them work in a neutral and non-discriminatory way, even if they work cross-borders and are private subjects. Otherwise, the Information Society will even more controlled by the dictatorship of the algorithm.

Ethics and Information Technology, 2008

How should the policies of search engines and other information intermediaries be ethically evaluated? It is argued that Kant's principles for the public use of reason are useful starting points for the formulation of criteria for such an evaluation. The suggestion is, furthermore, that a search engine can be seen to provide a testimony to the user concerning what information that is most relevant to her query. This suggestion is used as the basis for the development of a broadly Kantian account of a rational searcher. It is argued that the search engine companies are morally required to publish their information policies and act in accordance with them but given the threat of search engine spam they can have no obligation to publish the details of their algorithms.

European Journal of Law and Technology Vol 8, No 2, 2017

This work contemplates the limits and possibilities of exercising the right to freedom through the use of the Internet. Freedom can be defined as the preservation of the right of autonomy in the daily life of citizens or members of social and political organisations, whilst respecting the utilisation of this right, by oneself, or by one or more persons or citizens. A number of strengths and weaknesses are identified in this regard. The paper examines the way in which search engines like Google exemplify restrictions on freedom: they are enhanced by the use of technical resources that are aimed at the most efficient exploitation of the information available on the Internet; the resources are not utilised to reinforce the rights of the users. Finally, it is argued that the limits imposed on freedom can be overcome with the aid of technical tools such as thesauri that can produce a positive relationship between freedom and Internet.

The present communication for the VIIIth World Congress of the International Association of Constitutional Law will discuss in a few pages how the future of freedom of expression must evolve to recognise a freedom of the internet as a latest step in the development of freedom of press1. We will study the meaning, the foundations, and the need of this freedom by reviewing the relationship between Constitutional Law and technology, the technical background of the internet, and the history of freedom of press. Eventually, we will make a strong case about how to protect, from our common constitutional tradition, the internet and freedom of expression from some current serious menaces.

In which I discuss the nature of a diversion from the freedom of computation posed by certain social forces on the Internet, or, How yesterday was a golden age, why today is depressing and what to say at tomorrow's cocktail party.

Publication in event proceedings, 2015

In: XXVI World Congress of Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy of the Internationale Vereinigunf für Rechts und Sozialphilosophie, 2015. Human Rights, Rule of Law and the Contemporary Social Challenges in Complex Societies. p. 813-821. At the beginning of his inaugural lecture at the Collège de France, Foucault poses the following question: “What is so perilous about the fact that people speak, and that their speech proliferates? Where is the danger in that?”. Soon after, Foucault advances his hypothesis, according to which “in every society the production of discourse is at once controlled, selected, organized and redistributed according to a certain number of procedures”. Following this line proposed by Foucault, we should not dream of a world without any kind of discursive control or coercion over speech. The very “conquest of freedom of speech” should not be seen as a complete liberation. Moreover, freedom of speech (which is always limited) was associated with a set of transformations that replaced the power based on the censorship of the Sovereign or the Church. The recognition of this right is linked, in the eighteenth century, to a new technology of power based on press, public opinion and mass media. In short: Is the freedom to speak or publish one’s ideas an achievement or an evolution of mankind? We can say yes, but without forgetting that it also introduced a new form of domination, which takes place precisely through the exercise of this "freedom". Nowadays, with the internet, the freedom of speech acquires a new dimension and meaning, and new forms of control and domination emerge. I highlight three contemporary forms of information control: (1) ownership of content through private monopoly on large databases; (2) control over computer file formats through proprietary software and codes or technological mechanisms to control information, such as DRM (Digital Rights Management) technologies, (3) control over access, which occurs through search engines and providers, as we see in the selection criteria imposed by the Google algorithm. At the same time, new forms of resistance are raising: practices of illegal sharing, free software movements and hacker groups. Like the press in the eighteenth century, the internet today brings back the libertarian discourse, promising the end of media’s control and the fullest liberty. But the supposed freedom of information brings withal new forms of control, linked to new monopolies and a new information economy.

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