Mark Turiano

Freedom of speech is necessary in order for cultures to achieve greatness, Mark Turiano maintains in the following viewpoint. Free speech preserves liberty by preventing the spread of uncontrollable power, he asserts. Tolerating offensive speech is the sign of a morally mature and virtuous person, he contends, qualities that are necessary to sustain a free and open society. Turiano is a freelance writer near Atlanta, Georgia.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Turiano, how does freedom of speech check the arbitrary use of power?
2. How does free speech encourage the development of virtue, in the author’s opinion?
3. How does Turiano define "toleration" as related to freedom of speech"

If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, if all...