Should certain arguments be allowed?

Steven Pinker and James Altucher discuss the complex issue of whether certain arguments should be allowed in various contexts. They emphasize the importance of academic freedom and free speech, arguing that without the ability to challenge prevailing beliefs, society risks holding onto falsehoods. Pinker notes that while dissent is crucial for growth in knowledge, not all arguments deserve equal consideration—there must be standards for intellectual quality. Undermining an argument simply because one dislikes its conclusion, rather than based on its merit, is problematic. It's key to ensure arguments meet criteria like empirical tests, fact-checking, and peer review to be considered seriously in academic and societal debates 1.