Question

fear of serious injury cannot alone justify suppression of free speech and assembly. men feared witches and burnt women. it is the function of speech to free men from the bondage of irrational fears. to justify suppression of free speech, there must be reasonable ground to fear that serious evil will result if free speech is practiced. there must be reasonable ground to believe that the danger apprehended is imminent. there must be reasonable ground to believe that the evil to be prevented is a serious one. which statement best summarizes justice brandeis’s argument? choose 1 answer: a the government can limit a person’s freedom of speech only if an immediate danger can result from that speech. b the right to speak freely cannot have any limits in a free democracy, as freedom of conscience is a natural right. c the government can limit freedom of speech only if the limitation applies to all ideas, regardless of content. d the right to express one’s religious beliefs in public cannot be limited by the government, even if the speech affects public safety

Explanation:

To summarize Justice Brandeis’s argument, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The passage states suppression of free speech is justified only with reasonable grounds of imminent (immediate) danger and serious evil. This matches the idea that speech can be limited only if immediate danger results.
• Option B: The passage says suppression can be justified under certain conditions, so “no limits” is incorrect.
• Option C: The passage does not mention limitations applying to all ideas regardless of content.
• Option D: The passage allows limitation for serious, imminent danger, so “cannot be limited even if it affects safety” is incorrect.

Answer:

A. The government can limit a person’s freedom of speech only if an immediate danger can result from that speech.