Intellectual freedom is essential to human society — freedom to obtain and distribute information, freedom for open-minded and unfearing debate, and freedom from pressure by officialdom and prejudices.
Meaning
Sakharov wrote this essay as a Soviet physicist who feared censorship and dogma would trap society in myths. He names three freedoms that protect honest thinking. In daily life, check where you get information, and make room to hear opinions you disagree with without punishing the speaker.
Source: Progress, Coexistence and Intellectual Freedom (1968)
About the author
Andrei Sakharov (1921–1989) was a Soviet nuclear physicist who became a leading dissident and human rights advocate. He received the 1975 Nobel Peace Prize for his defense of human rights and opposition to the abuse of power.
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