Identity and Freedom of Expression (FREEDEX 2012)

Freedom of expression seems to gain more significance, especially after having been included in international conventions, such as the European Convention on Human Rights. It is nowadays used in all kind of situations; its context seems to enlarge as every time a political, economical, religious and generally any cultural idea is promoted, it is made legit if it respects the principle of the freedom of speech.

Today, all types of legal entities (from individuals to state institutions and international organisations or companies) make use of the freedom of expression in order to reach personal or common goals. In a globalizing world these claims of making known one’s message, together with the growing demands for freedom of expression go hand in hand with a greater sensibility to what is made public, especially in the case of those who acquire or maintain more traditional identities. Thus the conflict of values created by contemporary immigration and the ethical concerns raised by medical and technological research are a real challenge to what has been labelled by the Founding Fathers of Liberalism (especially by John Stuart Mill) as spheres of liberty.

Sometimes the same moral agents that make use of freedom of expression for their own goals are disturbed by discourses that, in their views, show less respect for traditional values. Consequently, in spite of the ideal of liberty, demands are often made for political regulation in ethical, religious, technological or social issues that gain widespread public attention.

The demand for political action in this kind of issues reignites the need to go beyond a simple philosophical discourse labelled by Leo Strauss as esoteric or exoteric.

The International Conference Identity and Freedom of Expression (FREEDEX 2012) will take place in Paris, France, on 21-22 June 2012, at Centre Malher, 9 Rue Malher, 75004 Paris, France. It is organised by Ars Identitatis Cultural Research Association in collaboration with Université Paris 1 Panthéon–Sorbonne.

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