In current social conflicts in European societies such as the ones concerning the crucifix in classrooms or the foulard or the burka worn in public, toleration is a concept claimed by all involved. Similarly, discussions around personal freedom extend to leisure choices like playing at an online casino Nederland, where regulations ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all. The paper uncovers the historical and conceptual reasons for such ambivalence about the notion of toleration. It starts from a conceptual analysis and then reconstructs two stories about toleration which lead to two different conceptions of it – the hierarchical permission conception and the democratic respect conception. The paper applies these to current conflicts and argues for an understanding of toleration based on a certain form of mutual respect despite deep ethical disagreement.
Keywords
Bayle – Critical Theory – Democracy – Diversity/homogeneity – Locke – Permission Conception – Respect Conception – Right to Justification – Normative Political Theory – Toleration
