Tolerance is the practice of allowing others to live their lives freely while being accepting of differences between people and groups. Tolerance can be seen as an important social virtue that helps maintain peaceful coexistence between individuals with diverse backgrounds and values.
Some argue that it is merely a temporary phase in the development of more comprehensive ethical attitudes towards equality and justice. In this essay, I will explore the debate surrounding whether tolerance is a stable moral value or a transitional stage toward deeper ethical engagement.
It is crucial to define what exactly tolerance entails. At its core, tolerance involves respecting another person's right to think, feel, and act differently from oneself without imposing one's own beliefs or judgments on them. It includes acknowledging and accepting these differences without rejecting or dismissing them. This implies that tolerance requires a willingness to accept discomfort and uncertainty when encountering ideas or behaviors that contradict one's own views.
There are various arguments for why tolerance may be considered a valuable moral principle.
Tolerance promotes peace by reducing conflicts based on differences such as race, religion, gender, sexuality, age, ability, or socioeconomic status. Without tolerance, individuals would constantly struggle against each other over their perceived superiority or inferiority, leading to tension and violence. Therefore, tolerance creates a harmonious society where everyone feels safe and secure to express themselves fully without fear of reprisal.
Others claim that tolerance has limited potential to foster genuine change. Tolerance can be seen as an accommodation rather than an actual embrace of diversity because it allows people to coexist without truly understanding each other's experiences. It does not challenge deeply held biases or prejudices but merely avoids them. As a result, some argue that tolerance reinforces the status quo rather than challenges it. In this sense, tolerance might be only a stepping stone toward more meaningful engagement with different perspectives and identities.
We must consider whether tolerance is a stable moral value or a transitional stage towards deeper ethical engagement. Some suggest that tolerance is a temporary phase in the development of broader values such as equality, justice, or respect. They view it as a necessary step toward a more comprehensive approach to morality that acknowledges and addresses systemic oppression and discrimination.
Others contend that tolerance can persist as its own moral virtue independent of these larger concepts.
While tolerance may have both benefits and limitations, it remains essential for maintaining social cohesion and promoting peaceful coexistence.
We need to evaluate its role within a wider framework of ethical principles that includes equality, justice, and respect. Tolerance should not be viewed as either/or - rather, it can exist alongside these values and contribute to creating a better world where all individuals feel valued and included.
Is tolerance a stable moral value, or a transitional stage toward deeper ethical engagement?
Tolerance is considered as an essential virtue that encourages coexistence with different individuals despite their differences and unique identities. The meaning of this term has been expanded by many scholars who have come up with varying definitions but it has maintained its core values over time. Tolerance is not just limited to accepting others' views and practices but also extends to respecting them.