Tolerance, toleration - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Tolerance, toleration: the art and philosophy of allowing, accepting, or enduring beliefs, practices, or behaviors that one may not necessarily agree with, approve of, or share; a virtue celebrated as a cornerstone of civilized societies, yet often misunderstood, tested, and even weaponized. Could our understanding of tolerance be more fragile than we believe?
The seeds of toleration, as a conscious philosophical concept, can be traced back to the religious upheavals of the 16th and 17th centuries. The Edict of Nantes, issued in 1598 by King Henry IV of France, marked an early milestone by granting religious liberties to Protestants, albeit within limits, in a realm dominated by Catholicism. John Locke's A Letter Concerning Toleration (1689) provided a powerful philosophical articulation of religious tolerance, arguing that governments should not interfere with individual conscience. These early advocates for toleration, including later figures like Voltaire, lived in exceptionally intolerant times and were instrumental to shifting views on moral obligation, fairness, justice theory, and ethics. In the backdrop of the Reformation and the Enlightenment, these ideas represented a significant departure from centuries of religious and political dogmatism, an intellectual revolution that continues to resonate. The echoes of these controversies expose a deeper narrative about humanity's struggle to reconcile deeply held convictions with the necessity of peaceful co-existence.
Over time, the meaning of tolerance has evolved, extending beyond religious freedom to encompass a broader spectrum of differences, including political views, cultural practices, and individual identities. John Stuart Mill, in his essay "On Liberty," argued for the importance of tolerance as a means of promoting intellectual progress and individual autonomy, influencing subsequent liberal thought. The civil rights movement of the 20th century further expanded the scope of tolerance to include racial and ethnic equality, challenging ingrained systems of oppression. Despite these advancements, the concept of tolerance is not without its paradoxes. Critiques abound regarding the limits of tolerance: should we tolerate the intolerant? How do we balance tolerance with the need to defend fundamental moral principles and communal welfare? Such questions force us to grapple with the complexities inherent in the application of tolerance in a diverse and interconnected world.
Tolerance remains a vital, though contested, ideal in contemporary society, influencing debates on issues ranging from immigration and free speech to social contract theory and cultural appropriation. It is central to any conversation on equality vs equity. The concept of tolerance is often invoked in political discourse, educational curricula, and social justice movements, reflecting its enduring influence on our understanding of how to live together in a pluralistic world. Yet, in an age of increasing polarization and social media echo chambers, the challenges to tolerance are perhaps greater than ever. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, tolerance continues to hold a mystique – a promise of peaceful coexistence, marred still by imperfections. Is genuine tolerance achievable, or will it forever remain an elusive ideal, continually redefined by the ever-shifting sands of human interaction and the weight of cognitive bias?