In forcing the disinvitation of a speaker, the protesters have deprived themselves of the chance to prove that their opposition is sound. Even if one could say for certain that the protesters were in the right, unless they are able to explain and defend their view they are merely holding what John Stuart Mill described as ‘a dead dogma, not a living truth’. In open debate they might expose the flaws of the speaker’s stance and, better still, persuade others of their way of thinking. Furthermore, the stifling of speech can have the unintended consequence of making martyrs out of those who have
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what if there is no debate? and there is no aftermaths either? what is the point of debate if there is no consequences?
