Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin believed freedom of speech is necessary to a free government. He argued it is essential for wisdom, public liberty, and virtuous governance, and that suppressing it is a tool of tyranny. His confidence in this principle is high, as shown in his writings.
- undated “'Freedom of Speech is ever the Symptom, as well as the Effect of a good Government.'” OCR text
OCR: 3 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.
The full record: ledger, contrary evidence, reasoning, sources
OCR: 3 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.
1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)
Record ledger
- BELIEF (undated): Benjamin Franklin believed that freedom of conscience and expression was important, as shown by his reference to his ancestor Peter Folger's writing in favor of liberty of conscience and his critique of persecution as a heinous offense. Franklin described Folger's work as written with 'decent plainness and manly freedom,' indicating his approval of such views.
- BELIEF (1773-06-15): Benjamin Franklin believed that freedom of speech is necessary to a free government, as he argued that it is a natural consequence of such a government and that it allows for the airing of grievances and the correction of abuses.
- BELIEF (undated): Benjamin Franklin believed that freedom of speech is essential to free governments, as it is necessary for wisdom and public liberty, and that it is the right of every man as long as it does not harm the rights of others. He also argued that the security of property and freedom of speech always go together, and that suppressing free speech is a method used by those who wish to overthrow a nation's liberty.
- BELIEF (undated): Benjamin Franklin believed that freedom of speech is necessary to a free government, as he argued it is both a symptom and an effect of good governance. He supported this by citing examples from ancient Rome, where public scrutiny and open examination of officials' actions contributed to virtuous administration and prevented unjust treatment of public ministers. (key quote above)
What cuts against it
Nothing in the passages cuts against the answer. The record is consistent in affirming the necessity of freedom of speech to a free government.
2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)
1. Benjamin Franklin stated that freedom of speech is essential to free governments, as it is necessary for wisdom and public liberty.
2. He argued that freedom of speech is the right of every man, provided it does not harm the rights of others, and that suppressing it is a method used by those who wish to overthrow a nation's liberty.
3. Franklin further claimed that freedom of speech is both a symptom and an effect of good governance, citing examples from ancient Rome where open scrutiny of officials contributed to virtuous administration.
4. He emphasized that the best princes encourage and promote freedom of speech, as upright measures defend themselves and upright men will defend them.
5. Franklin also believed that freedom of speech allows for the airing of grievances and the correction of abuses, which is a natural consequence of a free government.
3. HIS TAKE
Record coverage: DIRECT
Extrapolation: Benjamin Franklin believed freedom of speech is not only a right but a foundational element of free government. He argued that it enables public liberty, allows for the correction of abuses, and is essential to virtuous governance.
Competing readings: None. The record directly supports this position without contradiction.
Confidence: High. The evidence is direct, consistent, and drawn from multiple passages, including Franklin's own reflections on historical examples and principles of governance.
- The Works of Benjamin Franklin, in 12 vols.: The Works of Benjamin Franklin, Vol. I Autobiography, Letters and Misc. Writings 1725-1734 (John Bigelow (editor)), pp. 40-41. Document: I: SKELETON SKETCH OF THE TOPICS FOR THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY. Date: undated. Source type: old edited collection. Passage id: franklin/bigelow-the-works-of-benjamin-vol-i-autobiography-letters-and-misc-writings-1725-1734/0016.08. Variants: franklin/writingsofbenjam01franuoft/0015.12, franklin/bigelow-the-works-of-benjamin-vol-i-autobiography-letters-and-misc-writings-1725-1734/0016.07, franklin/bigelow-the-works-of-benjamin-vol-i-autobiography-letters-and-misc-writings-1725-1734/0127.46
- The Works of Benjamin Franklin, in 12 vols.: The Works of Benjamin Franklin, Vol. VI Letters and Misc. Writings 1772-1775 (John Bigelow (editor)), p. 396. Document: Tuesday, June 15, 1773.. Date: 1773-06-15. Source type: old edited collection. Passage id: franklin/bigelow-the-works-of-benjamin-vol-vi-letters-and-misc-writings-1772-1775/0141.03. Variants: franklin/writingsofbenjam06franuoft/0131.10
- OCR textThe Writings of Benjamin Franklin (Smyth ed.), vol. 2 (Albert Henry Smyth (ed.), The Writings of Benjamin Franklin, 10 vols., Macmillan, 1905-190). Document: to make it your jelf, you mujt be jure not to omit the words. Date: undated. Source type: old edited collection (OCR text). Passage id: franklin/writingsofbenjam02franuoft/0026.01
- OCR textThe Writings of Benjamin Franklin (Smyth ed.), vol. 2 (Albert Henry Smyth (ed.), The Writings of Benjamin Franklin, 10 vols., Macmillan, 1905-190). Document: to make it your jelf, you mujt be jure not to omit the words. Date: undated. Source type: old edited collection (OCR text). Passage id: franklin/writingsofbenjam02franuoft/0026.02
- OCR textThe Writings of Benjamin Franklin (Smyth ed.), vol. 2 (Albert Henry Smyth (ed.), The Writings of Benjamin Franklin, 10 vols., Macmillan, 1905-190). Document: to make it your jelf, you mujt be jure not to omit the words. Date: undated. Source type: old edited collection (OCR text). Passage id: franklin/writingsofbenjam02franuoft/0026.03
Quote check: PASSED (1/1 quotations verified verbatim)