# Freethought and Freedom: Shaftesbury on the Value of Ridicule

**URL:** <https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/excursions/freethought-and-freedom-shaftesbury-on-the-value-of-ridicule>

**By** George H. Smith

**Published:** October 18, 2017

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George H. Smith explores Shaftesbury’s defense of ridicule and satire in matters of religion.

George H. Smith explores Shaftesbury’s defense of ridicule and satire in matters of religion.

[Originally published in essay form on March 6, 2015.](https://www.libertarianism.org/columns/freethought-freedom-shaftesbury-value-ridicule)