Comments on: John Stuart Mill and the “Books of Hate” http://austrolabe.com/2006/06/13/john-stuart-mill-and-the-books-of-hate/ Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:04:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Touchstone http://austrolabe.com/2006/06/13/john-stuart-mill-and-the-books-of-hate/comment-page-1/#comment-68853 Touchstone Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:08:55 +0000 http://austrolabe.com/2006/06/13/john-stuart-mill-and-the-books-of-hate/#comment-68853 What were Mills' views on fiscal freedom? If I recall correctly he was a radical in parliament who wanted universal education. What were Mills’ views on fiscal freedom? If I recall correctly he was a radical in parliament who wanted universal education.

]]> By: Amir http://austrolabe.com/2006/06/13/john-stuart-mill-and-the-books-of-hate/comment-page-1/#comment-172 Amir Wed, 19 Jul 2006 04:08:33 +0000 http://austrolabe.com/2006/06/13/john-stuart-mill-and-the-books-of-hate/#comment-172 Thanks for the comment, skepticlawyer. The trouble, I suppose, is where do we draw that fine line and to what extent can words alone constitute a criminal offence. For example, if a man calling for a new holocaust on the street corner is criminal, then what is the legal status of books that call for a holocaust? If we ban the former, then I suppose we should also ban the latter; although this might deny us a better understanding of some chapter in history or some social or political movement abroad. Let us say, for example, that there was a sudden revival of National Socialism as a major political force in Europe based a platform of a new holocaust against Jews, Muslims and Americans. Should the literature of that group be banned in Australia if it calls for this holocaust and, if it is banned, what would that mean for our ability to combat such thinking here? Thanks for the comment, skepticlawyer.

The trouble, I suppose, is where do we draw that fine line and to what extent can words alone constitute a criminal offence. For example, if a man calling for a new holocaust on the street corner is criminal, then what is the legal status of books that call for a holocaust? If we ban the former, then I suppose we should also ban the latter; although this might deny us a better understanding of some chapter in history or some social or political movement abroad. Let us say, for example, that there was a sudden revival of National Socialism as a major political force in Europe based a platform of a new holocaust against Jews, Muslims and Americans. Should the literature of that group be banned in Australia if it calls for this holocaust and, if it is banned, what would that mean for our ability to combat such thinking here?

]]> By: skepticlawyer http://austrolabe.com/2006/06/13/john-stuart-mill-and-the-books-of-hate/comment-page-1/#comment-163 skepticlawyer Mon, 17 Jul 2006 00:10:12 +0000 http://austrolabe.com/2006/06/13/john-stuart-mill-and-the-books-of-hate/#comment-163 Great post, Amir. Do remember, though, that individual freedom for Mill was not wholly unfettered. It was always to be considered in the context of other individual freedoms. There always comes a point where my freedoms stop, and yours begin, and so on throughout society. I may, for example, argue that the Holocaust was a good idea. I cannot, however, stand on a street corner and suggest it be repeated, although the line is a fine one. Great post, Amir. Do remember, though, that individual freedom for Mill was not wholly unfettered. It was always to be considered in the context of other individual freedoms. There always comes a point where my freedoms stop, and yours begin, and so on throughout society. I may, for example, argue that the Holocaust was a good idea. I cannot, however, stand on a street corner and suggest it be repeated, although the line is a fine one.

]]> By: catallaxy » Around the younger Ozblogs http://austrolabe.com/2006/06/13/john-stuart-mill-and-the-books-of-hate/comment-page-1/#comment-160 catallaxy » Around the younger Ozblogs Sun, 16 Jul 2006 22:40:32 +0000 http://austrolabe.com/2006/06/13/john-stuart-mill-and-the-books-of-hate/#comment-160 [...] Amir Butler discusses JS Mill and the application of his ideas to Muslim fundamentalist books. [...] [...] Amir Butler discusses JS Mill and the application of his ideas to Muslim fundamentalist books. [...]

]]> By: dezhen http://austrolabe.com/2006/06/13/john-stuart-mill-and-the-books-of-hate/comment-page-1/#comment-71 dezhen Sat, 17 Jun 2006 05:51:53 +0000 http://austrolabe.com/2006/06/13/john-stuart-mill-and-the-books-of-hate/#comment-71 Great post, I find all this stuff rather alarmist and seems to do nothing except create fear and fragmentation among people. One of the bookstores initially cited by the press (later proved wrong) was actually a Naqshbandi Sufi lodge! I too am interested in this because I personally feel that a study of the literature these types of people produce needs to be done in order to refute them on epistemological grounds as well as in general. Education and awareness of what it out there is the key. One fact brought out by this situation is how unaware most Imams and Shuyukh are here about such materials; perhaps due to their almost universal low standard in English, whereas these types of ideological groups seem to thrive through it. Great post, I find all this stuff rather alarmist and seems to do nothing except create fear and fragmentation among people. One of the bookstores initially cited by the press (later proved wrong) was actually a Naqshbandi Sufi lodge! I too am interested in this because I personally feel that a study of the literature these types of people produce needs to be done in order to refute them on epistemological grounds as well as in general. Education and awareness of what it out there is the key.

One fact brought out by this situation is how unaware most Imams and Shuyukh are here about such materials; perhaps due to their almost universal low standard in English, whereas these types of ideological groups seem to thrive through it.

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