Q: Examine Milton’s opinion on the licencing of book by the government
in “Areopagitica.”
One of the most prestigious works, "Areopagitica; A speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of
Unlicenc'd Printing, to the Parlament of England," or "Areopagitica," was written by the English author, John Milton. The book was
first published on 23rd
November, 1644 at the height of the English Civil War. However, It's a passionate defense of freedom of speech and
expression that are arguing against
censorship and licensing of books. Furthermore, The title refers to the Areopagus, a prominent
rock in Athens associated with
the defense of free speech. Milton wrote
"Areopagitica" when The English
Parliament instituted the Licensing Order of 1643 that is requiring prior approval for all printed works.
The title is taken from the Greek word, “Areopagitikos”, a
speech written by Athenian orator, Isocrates, in the 4th century BC. In 1638
of April, a political agitator, John
Lilburne was arrested for importing subversive books. He was fined £500,
and flogged for two miles between “the Fleet Prison and the
pillory.” According to George H. Sabine, the Areopagitica presumed
and was written for an engaged public: "Its
basic principle was the right and also the duty of every intelligent man as a
rational being, to know the grounds and take responsibility for his beliefs and
actions."
Firstly, Milton
challenges the very notion of censorship as an ineffective and condescending
approach. He asserts that truth and error are "twins cleaving together,"
and impossible to separate cleanly. By attempting to remove the errors through the censorship, one risks suppressing
truth along with it, "stunting knowledge in the
apprehension of danger." He likens censorship for trying to
hold back the ocean, and declares, "Who kills a man kills a
reasonable creature, God's image; but who destroys a good book kills reason
itself, kills the image of God."
Secondly, Milton claims
that censorship undermines the essential human capacity for self-governance. He
believes that God trusts humanity with the "gift of
reason to be his chooser," and freedom of expression is essential for the
development of individual conscience. By controlling what people read, the
government infantilizes its citizens, and hindering their growing ability to
discern truth from error. "Let truth and falsehood
grapple; whoever knew truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter?" He
asks for advocating of a marketplace of ideas where truth can emerge victorious
through open debate.
Thirdly, Milton
emphasizes the vital role of free speech in religious and intellectual explorations.
He believes that suppressing diversed viewpoints stifle creativity and
innovation, which is leading to stagnation and decay. He points out that even
the most revered texts, like the Bible, have been subjected to interpretation
and debate throughout history. He argues, "Truth is a naked lady,
and needs no veiling; but error needs it because it is but deformity". He
suggests that open dialogue and questioning are necessary for weeding out
falsehood and strengthening truth.
Finally, Milton appeals to the
English people's historical commitment
to liberty and self-determination. He reminds them of their hard-won
freedoms and warns against the dangers of surrendering intellectual autonomy to
any authority. He proclaims, "Give me the liberty to know, to
utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties. "
He is asserting that freedom of expression is the cornerstone of a just and
flourishing society.
Throughout the prose, Milton
emphasizes “Areopagitica” with a powerful call for the English
Parliament to reject pre-publication censorship and embrace freedom of
speech. Milton argues
against censorship, and advocating for the open exchange of diverse opinions as
essential for the pursuit of truth and the progress of knowledge. The work
remains a significant piece in the history of free speech and expression.
Milton's optimism about the human intellect and its ability to
distinguish right from wrong forms a foundational pillar of his argument
against censorship. He believes that a society enriched by a diversity of
thoughts and opinions that are better equipped to thrive and adapt to the changing
circumstances.
In conclusion, Milton’s
"Areopagitica" ends with a fervent plea
for the preservation of intellectual freedom and the rejection of censorship. It also reflects Milton's belief
in the inherent value of individual conscience. Furthermore, Milton
addresses the role of books as powerful instruments of change and enlightenment. He sees
books as essential tools in the pursuit of knowledge, and he fears that
censorship would stifle intellectual progress. It encapsulates Milton's
unwavering commitment to the principles of liberty and intellectual freedom. Milton's
treatise "laid the foundations for thought that would come after and
express itself in such authors as John Locke and John Stuart Mill".
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