I've recently read a very interesting article in
"Psychology Today" by Prof. Arthur Dobrin on the
topic of "Political Correctness vs Free Speech."
I thought it might be an interesting topic for
discussion.

Prof. Dobrin in his article states that - "On one
side there are those critical of political
correctness and defenders of free speech and on the
other side - those who believe that words have power
and therefore need to be used with care."

He tells us that "Even those who oppose political
correctness would agree that a teacher who refers to
females by derogatory words (or males) shouldn't
be in a classroom."

"Critics of political correctness wouldn't go so far
as to accept shouting fire in a crowded theatre. Even
the most expansive view of free speech recognizes there
are limits to it."

However, shutting down the open explanation of sensitive
subjects is a bad move.

"There would hardly ever be a discussion about the nature of
God, for example or books that explore sexuality. If
students' comfort levels determined classroom material all
that could be taught would be that which was acceptable to the
hypersensitive."

"There wouldn't be much to teach in the liberal arts and
humanities if the criteria for inclusion was that which
didn't challenge pre-existing ideas."

The Professor tells us that -

"Words do matter and good people want to use them to
foster a better world."

"How to decide when words are destructive to society is a
matter of judgement."

What are your thoughts on the subject?

One of the biggest problems now is as a few people on here have pointed out, some people are just too sensitive or want to be the victim so are offended by things that the majority would not care about.

Also who decides what is offensive?

It is not only free speak that is being questioned.

Social media is also the problem as it allows the minority a very large voice, it is almost a daily event to see on MSM stories of how someone is offended by this or that.

One just from this morning.
Pubs across Britain remove Saudi Arabia flags from World Cup bunting after offended Muslims complain that drinking is banned under Islam.

The flags represent countries, nothing to do with drinking.

Dear Philip S.,

Thank You for that.

Here's an interesting link that discusses does political
correctness infringe on free speech?

http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2017/06/does-political-correctness-infringe-on-free-speech

""How to decide when words are destructive to society is a
matter of judgement."

And there's the rub. Who does the judging? All modern societies have those who been given the right to judge. They always, always censor those things they don't like and excuse those things they do like. That's why its necessary to keep the powers of those who censor to an absolute minimum.

"Critics of political correctness wouldn't go so far
as to accept shouting fire in a crowded theatre."

Well it depends on whether there is, indeed, a fire.

What ever happened to "Sticks & stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me". As kids we were tough enough to live by this simple rhyme, why not adults today?

Today those who don't want to are using political correctness to silence their critics. Anyone noticed it is the left that push this stuff as so much of their agenda is unable to stand up to any reasonable criticism.

You can see this in their global warming fraud, with some lefty academics calling for anyone criticising the fraud to be jailed. Anything to cover up their lies.

It's when pc stops the truth being spken it becomes dangerous. Free speach is already banned when it comes to analysing Islam, Immigration or a range of other issues. High domestic violence rates of dv among 'gays' and sexual abuse in Indigenous communities are also no gone zones. Vulgar putried racist language is only allowed by the left.