# Liberty, Free Speech, and Killing Tyrants: John of Salisbury **URL:** **By** Paul Meany **Published:** November 5, 2020 --- The medieval ages are hardly a time renowned for freedom lovers, but the philosophy of John of Salisbury encapsulates a love of freedom and a deep hatred for unchecked power. ## Summary: The 12th-century clergyman John of Salisbury has been relegated to obscurity today. This is a great shame because his treatise on politics entitled Policraticus despite it's medieval trappings articulates a love of freedom, a respect for free speech and most controversially, discussions of when it is morally permissible to kill a tyrant. ## Mentions: Feather Waltz by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3743-feather-waltz](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3743-feather-waltz) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Divertissement - Pizzicato (from the ballet Sylvia) by Kevin MacLeod Link:[https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3664-divertissement---pizzicato-from-the-ballet-sylvia-](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3664-divertissement---pizzicato-from-the-ballet-sylvia-) License:[http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Serene by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4336-serene](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4336-serene) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) A Little Faith by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3332-a-little-faith](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3332-a-little-faith) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) The Rule by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4506-the-rule](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4506-the-rule) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) SCP-x6x (Hopes) by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/6736-scp-x6x-hopes-](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/6736-scp-x6x-hopes-) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Trio for Piano, Cello, and Clarinet by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4547-trio-for-piano-cello-and-clarinet](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4547-trio-for-piano-cello-and-clarinet) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Mesmerize by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4994-mesmerize](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4994-mesmerize) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)