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Natural Science Forum / Biology / Biology / October 2007Dr. Watson and freedom of speech (Redo)
In my opinion, regardless of the merits of "differences in intelligence between races," supported or not, the response to Dr. James Watson's right of freedom of speech was so rapid and heavy handedness that free speech among scientists may be stifled in the future. James Michael Howard >In my opinion, regardless of the merits of "differences in intelligence >between races," supported or not, the response to Dr. James Watson's right >of freedom of speech was so rapid and heavy handedness that free speech >among scientists may be stifled in the future. Free speech is not really the issue. Watson is (was) in a position of responsibility, supposedly knowledgeable (an authority figure), and the comment was made not as part of a scientific debate but as an offhand public remark. Free speech does not allow one to yell "fire" in a crowded theater. Free speech does impose some degree of responsibility (judgment), especially on those with knowledge and power. bob >>In my opinion, regardless of the merits of "differences in intelligence >>between races," supported or not, the response to Dr. James Watson's right [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > >bob So, bob, you equate yelling "fire" in a crowded theater to saying there is a difference in intelligence between races? ...and you do not think Dr. Watson has the right to say it and that the response to his remark was justified? >>>In my opinion, regardless of the merits of "differences in intelligence >>>between races," supported or not, the response to Dr. James Watson's right [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >So, bob, you equate yelling "fire" in a crowded theater to saying there is >a difference in intelligence between races? No. But the former illustrates that there are limits on free speech. In this case, it was "poor judgment". > ...and you do not think Dr. >Watson has the right to say it and that the response to his remark was >justified? He has the right to say it -- and he did say it. Saying it within a scientific context might even make some sense. For better or worse, it is controversial even there, and he should know that. Saying it in a casual public situation, without evidence, is poor judgment. Justifying the response is not the issue. The response was predictable, and not helpful either socially or scientifically. bob |
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