Toleration

The aim of this book, first published in the 1980s, is to set out the logic, implications and applications of toleration. It offers an analysis of the philosophy of toleration, constructs a history of toleration as a series of negations of specific intolerances, details the place of "procedural scepticism" in the determination of truth and falsity," and explores the relevance of tolerance to justice and to equality in plural democratic states.
This new edition seeks to clarify key points. It reviews and confirms toleration conceived as a negation of intolerances. It reviews and confirms the coherence of embedding "procedural scepticism" in "ideational tolerance." It returns to the discussion of toleration as a value. King has elsewhere moved increasingly towards the view that "tolerance" in a dramatically unequal world, may be more apt than "liberty," and that "friendship" may rightly trump over "power."
But the most important concern of this new edition is to affirm the continuing importance of distinguishing between the logical analysis of the construct and moral commitment to it. While there is a morality plainly implicit in this work, its approach is primarily analytical.

Why should we be tolerant? What does it mean to ‘live and let live’? What ought to be tolerated and what not?

Up-and-coming author, Catriona McKinnon presents a comprehensive, yet accessible introduction to toleration in her new book. Divided into two parts, the first clearly introduces and assesses the major theoretical accounts of toleration, examining it in light of challenges from scepticism, value pluralism and reasonableness. The second part applies the theories of toleration to contemporary debates such as female circumcision, French Headscarves, artistic freedom, pornography and censorship, and holocaust denial.

Drawing on the work of philosophers, such as Locke, Mill and Rawls, whose theories are central to toleration, the book provides a solid theoretical base to those who value toleration, whilst considering the challenges toleration faces in practice. It is the ideal starting point for those coming to the topic for the first time, as well as anyone interested in the challenges facing toleration today.

1. Toleration: Philosophical perspectives 2. Toleration: Historical perspectives 3. Ideational Toleration: The pursuit of truth 4. Organisational Toleration: The pursuit of justice 5. Identity Toleration: The pursuit of equality