To refuse a hearing to an opinion, because they are sure that it is false, is to assume that their certainty is the same thing as absolute certainty. All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility. Its condemnation may be allowed to rest on this common argument, not the worse for being common. (p. 24)
PhilosophyPoliticsFree speechCertaintyCommunicationReliability
People may still cling to false beliefs even when discussion is allowed.
We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavouring to stifle is a false opinion; and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still. (p. 24)
While every one well knows himself to be fallible, few think it necessary to take any precautions against their own fallibility, or admit the supposition that …
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 diss…
Strange it is, that men should admit the validity of the arguments for free discussion, but object to their being 'pushed to an extreme'; not seeing that unles…
Tis impossible to avail our selves of the genuine Powers of Eloquence, without examining in their Elements and first Principles, the Force and Harmony of Numbe…
The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments.