Yesterday’s attempts at a discussion of the     philosophical foundation of the guarantees of free speech, third day of classes, Media Law:

Prof:  “When time has upset many fighting faiths…” What did Justice Holmes mean by “fighting faiths”? (calls on student)

Student: Ma’am…. ah…(looks at notes) ah…war…?

…. Prof: (laughs)…war…?! (laughs) no, it’s simpler. Justice Holmes just has a way of writing… anyone..?…ok…. He means… ideas, beliefs, so-called advocacies…Ok…Ms._____

Another student: Ma’am?

Prof: Ms._ _ _ ….  tell me…. what do you believe in…?

Student: …(silence, looks at her desk) (softly) i don’t know

Prof: Is there anything  you would die for…?

Student: Ma’am (looks at seatmate, looks at prof)… ah…. FAMILY…?

Prof: (laughs). Ok. (laughs) those are persons. Family,  persons. we’re trying to get at beliefs — something you consider bigger than yourself, or persons… Ok….Ms._ _ _ _  (another student)

Third student: Ma’am…?

Prof: Ms. _ _ _ _ …tell me….what is your faith?

Third student: Ma’am….(looks slowly, left and right, then at prof)….ah… morality ….?

Prof: (laughs)…morality…?! what is morality, tell me (laughs)…. (no answer)….. that’s an entire semester…. What happens to ideas with the passage of time…. (and one student gave the example of the Inquisition, and the medieval ages (the earth as center of the universe etc) — brilliant. and the discussion went underway.  A couple of years ago some smart aleck  answered:

   “Ma’am…. i believe in— peace! prosperity! — and love for mankind!”