Earlier quoted context omitted.
Dystopian fiction has given so much terrorizing weight to the concept of "thoughtcrime" and "wrong think" that I think people forget how much positive effect a culture can have on widespread mindsets and stopping ignorance. There are some ignorant thoughts that have almost entirely fallen out of the collective consciousness (in terms of serious belief, not abstract discussion of the past). (As a random example, there…
Punishing speech independent of action isn't a new or controversial concept among certain political strains, most especially among those that also include the conceit of having some special access to virtue beyond that available to others contending for the same power. What you're suggesting here falls right in that line. But it's rarely stated so openly, and while I like nothing else about it, I must admit I like th…
In general, it's important to note that the separate between speech and action isn't as clear cut as you assert, especially speech made in a public forum. Speech affects others, and words can be used to cause others pain or discomfort. Speech has direct consequences on others just like any action, and this must be considered. Which isn't to say that speech doesn't deserve broad protections, of course.