Question

What most distinguishes our civilization from both its predecessors and its contemporary competitors is a belief in the sanctity of the human conscience. Each individual is to have the freedom to develop by his or her own lights, and not by the command of officialdom. That requires not just the right to be let alone, but also the right to communicate with, to learn from and test views in conversations. What is the key idea or claim presented in these lines?

A. Freedom of speech.
B. Sanctity of human conscience.
C. Independence from official command.
D. Right to be alone.

Answer 1

The key idea is the sanctity of human conscience and the individual's freedom from governmental control in personal development including the right to express and communicate freely.

Step-by-step explanation:

The key idea or claim presented in the lines is the sanctity of human conscience and the individual's right to develop independently from governmental or official command. This concept is deeply rooted in Enlightenment philosophy, where thinkers like Locke and Rousseau argued that the government should not have authority over individual conscience. Such beliefs have shaped modern civil liberties, emphasizing the importance of freedom of belief, conscience, and expression, including the democratic right to free speech.

As noted by Enlightenment thinkers and later developed by others, such as Habermas and existentialists, the ability to express oneself and engage in open dialogue is fundamental to society's advancement. Hence, the freedom to develop one's conscience and communicate freely is not just about being left alone but also encompasses the capacity to exchange and challenge ideas publicly.