Why do we find swearing offensive, and should we? Is it wrong to use swear words despite causing offense? This episode is an eye-opener into the often overlooked depth and implications of everyday profanity. Listen to Rebecca’s podcast here: https://www.academicimperfectionist.com/podcast [00:00] Introduction and Guest Introduction [00:19] Rebecca's Journey into Swearing [00:43] The Infamous Paper Incident [02:46] Philosophical Musings on Censorship [05:27] The Function of Swear Words [06:04] Cultural Reactions to Swearing [10:25] The Role of Context in Offense [20:26] Borderline Swear Words and Slurs [22:05] The Power of Offensive Words [29:38] Debating the Use of Offensive Words [32:05] Personal Experience with Slurs [33:33] Slurs vs. Swear Words: Key Differences [36:55] The Use-Mention Distinction [41:52] Legal and Moral Implications of Offensive Language [44:31] The Versatility of Swear Words [52:10] Swearing and Intelligence: Is There a Link? [55:25] The Value and Impact of Swearing [01:02:51] Comedy, Dignity, and Swearing [01:04:12] Conclusion and Final Thoughts