The Misconceived Search for the Meaning of 'Speech' in Freedom of Speech

7 Pages Posted: 21 Nov 2014

See all articles by Larry Alexander

Larry Alexander

University of San Diego School of Law

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: November 19, 2014

Abstract

In this (very) short essay, I establish these points: All speech is symbolic; any conduct can be used to communicate a message (i.e., symbolically); government’s purpose in regulating, and not a speaker’s intention to communicate, defines the realm of freedom of expression; and determining the value of speech has a denominator problem.

Keywords: speech, conduct, symbols, purpose, value

JEL Classification: K10, K00

Suggested Citation

Alexander, Lawrence, The Misconceived Search for the Meaning of 'Speech' in Freedom of Speech (November 19, 2014). San Diego Legal Studies Paper No. 14-173, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2528297 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2528297

Lawrence Alexander (Contact Author)

University of San Diego School of Law ( email )

5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
United States
619-260-2317 (Phone)
619-260-4728 (Fax)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
232
Abstract Views
1,783
Rank
142,786
PlumX Metrics