Offence and the Future of Courtesy

How do liberal institutions today cope with people being offensive and offended, given these institutions’ commitment to freedom of expression? What can we learn from the social practices of earlier societies?

This lecture explores the persistent problem of offence and attempts to deal with it and minimise harm. It compares contemporary struggles with past remedies, delving into both the practical issues and what they tell us about the commitments and agonies of contemporary liberal societies.