The U.S. is unique in that people of many different backgrounds live and work alongside each other in relative peace. Even more extraordinarily, an orderly and peaceful transfer of power occurs at the national level every two years. We are so used to this way of life that we barely take note, but we are a rare exception in world history.
What is it about our country that has made us less prone to violence and political strife? The answer is complex, of course, but one important piece is our commitment to freedom of speech. Free speech empowers citizens to use reasonable persuasion, rather than violence, to bring about change. For there to be reasonable discussion or civil debate, citizens must apply their intellects to a given topic, rather than letting feelings dominate.
In recent times, Americans’ ability to engage in civil debate has seemed to falter. What do these trends mean for our free society? This month’s Teaching the Faith with Current Events focuses on how the proper ordering of our faculties—our intellect first, then our will, and lastly, our feelings—is needed for reasonable discussion to take place. Included are fun activities to help your students think about the kinds of skills and dispositions citizens need for civil discussion—which is absolutely essential for American citizenship. Because unlike most other countries, American citizens are not bound by a common ethnicity or history, but by our commitment to shared principles.
In this lesson, your students will:
- Examine three faculties of the soul: intellect, will, and passions (or feelings).
- Understand the right way to order our faculties, and specifically that our feelings should be governed by reason.
- Begin to explore the way freedom of speech helps ensure a peaceful society.
- Analyze what happens to free speech when our faculties are in disorder—i.e. when our feelings rule over our will and intellect.
