Pornography, hate and freedom of expression. Ronald Dworkin’s arguments
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3989/isegoria.2022.67.04Keywords:
Dworkin, Pornography, Hate speech, Freedom of expressionAbstract
Throughout his work Ronald Dworkin has raised a crucial question about freedom of expression: is it a right so important that it requires allowing forms of expression that we consider despicable, offensive or socially harmful? In this paper I would like to analyze the philosopher’s reflection on this issue, focusing on pornography and hate speech. These forms of expression constitute a challenge for the defenders of free speech, since they force us to review the traditional arguments used in its defense. I will first consider the question of whether there is a right to pornography and how it might be justified. I will then review his polemic with feminist authors like Catharine MacKinnon regarding the banning of pornography, as several of the points are relevant to hate speech. To conclude, I will examine R. Dworkin’s arguments in favor of freedom of expression since they are relevant in the discussion on the criminal prosecution of hate speech.
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Universidad de Málaga
Grant numbers PGC2018-093573-B-I00
