June Holiday Blogging

After reviewing both articles,I am in agreement with Szilagyi 's point of view that more focus should be placed on social responsibility,and this is especially so in a country like Singapore,where a multi racial society exists.Diversities across cultural and religious beliefs hence calls for a need for individuals to be more sensitive and therefore be more socially responsible as well,for their own words and actions.


As prompted by the second article,which is more important for the democratic advancement of a country - the freedom of expression for people,or the protection of collective interests of the people?In my opinion,it is the latter.Granted that people are allowed freedom of expression,I believe it would only result in eventual racial tensions and conflicts within Singapore,due to the many different races present.Although it is virtually impossible to ensure that all races live in harmony and are at peace with one another,there is still a need for people to be tolerant of each other.And that,ensures the protection of collective interests of the different races.If people in Singapore cannot even live in harmony,it is then pointless to even discuss about advancement of the country,regardless of which aspect.Hence it is essentially crucial that the interests of the people/minority races are first considered before freedom of expression is even to be mentioned.The consequences would be disastrous if everyone were to free to express their opinions,for people are often insensitive about racial issues.


"We must be free to deny the existence of God, and to criticize the teachings of Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, and Buddha, as reported in texts that millions of people regard as sacred. Without that freedom, human progress will always run up against a basic roadblock." - Peter Singer
It has been evident that freedom of speech/expression does not resolve any problems,but only result in more controversies forming.If standing up and claiming the existence of God is nothing but illusionary would work,religions would have crumbled eons ago.On a more relevant context,if the different races in Singapore were to voice out their discontent about one another,it would only further aggravate any racial tension,and not resolve the problem at hand.Hence,the statement that Peter Singer has made,is wrong in my opinion,as freedom of speech/expression only results in more roadblocks in the democratic advancement of societies.