The Moral Status of Hate Speech Bans

Many governments ban hate speech. Are these bans morally permissible, morally required, or morally prohibited? The following links provide arguments on all sides of this issue. Your task is to find the best pro-ban argument you can, the best anti-ban argument you can, logically analyze both arguments, and figure out which argument best stands up to criticism.

(Added 10/29/23) I would like you to seriously consider the possibility that there is a kind of hate speech that, while not explicitly calling for immediate violence, does significantly raise the probability that violence will happen. If you think such speech doesn't exist, explain why you think so. Or, if you think violence inducing speech should be allowed, explain why you think so.

(Added 10/29/23) Effects of hate speech

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/02/16/pizzagate-qanon-capitol-attack/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlottesville_car_attack

Definitions of Hate Speech:

Make sure you clearly define "hate speech", and know how it is different from other forms of speech before you get into thinking about arguments before and against banning it.

United Nations.

American Library Association

European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)

Once you've figured it all out as best you can, write a paper according to the instructions in odyssey.htm.

Wikipedia Discussion of What is and Isn't Banned in Various Countries