Is Western Civilization Losing the Culture of Freedom of Thought?

Today, the concept of 'freedom of thought' seems to be under siege. There is a growing concern that individuals are not free to express their opinions, especially when it comes to judging minorities, such as Jews and sexual minorities, even if the opinions expressed are not considered hate speech. The reason often cited is that these views are deemed 'not politically correct.' This raises several critical questions about the state of freedom of thought in modern society.

Political Correctness and Thought Control

Some argue that a lack of freedom of thought is prevalent in countries dominated by U.S. hegemony. For instance, some governments are censoring dissenting views and not allowing diplomatic sovereignty. An example of this is the condemnation of Hungary by the European Union for its actions that are seen as a deviation from U.S. wishes. This highlights the tension between global political dominance and local autonomy.

Free Thought: A Personal Responsibility

Others counter this argument by suggesting that the notion of the culture of freedom of thought is a misnomer. They argue that true freedom of thought is something that individuals must actively protect and maintain. As one commentator might say:

I don't think there's such a thing as the 'culture of freedom of thought.' Unless you yourself shackle your thoughts to cliches, labels, ideologies, conventions, prejudice, or religious doctrine, what you think is always free. Always has been, always will be.

This perspective posits that the freedom to think freely is a fundamental human right, inherent in each individual, and not a cultural construct or a societal norm.

Backlash and Resistance

Another viewpoint suggests that attempts to restrict free thinking will ultimately lead to a backlash. This could result in an intensification of free thinking and free speech. As one pundit argues:

I seriously doubt it. Even though our government is trying to repress free thinking and free speech, it's likely to cause a backlash which will cause even more free thinking.

This argument highlights the resilience of free thinking in the face of attempts to control it and the potential for increased resistance in the form of more outspoken advocacy for freedom of thought.

Regional Laws and Censorship

From a regional perspective, there are clear examples of efforts to limit the spread of certain ideas. In the United States, for instance, right-wing regional governments are passing laws to ban the teaching of certain subjects in primary, secondary, and even higher education. These governments are also attempting to remove certain books from public libraries. Despite these efforts, the First Amendment protects the publication of these ideas. On the other hand, left-wing cancel culture, while initially a social phenomenon, does not have the backing of the government, making it a purely social consequence and a normal reaction to differing views.

The Fear of Free Speech

The perspective that free speech terrifies Democrats and communists highlights an underlying tension. For the advancement of communism, controlling the media is crucial. However, media outlets like Fox News present a challenge to this agenda. Democrats have taken steps to silence other Republican media, using various channels and platforms to dominate the conversation, often silencing opposing viewpoints.

All of these discussions revolve around the core issue of freedom of thought and its current state within Western civilization. While there are certainly challenges and restrictions, the fundamental right to free thought and expression remains a cornerstone of democratic society.