Tolerance & Forgiveness: Virtues or Vices?

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between tolerance, forgiveness, and justice. Contrary to prevailing wisdom, it argues that tolerance and forgiveness are not independent virtues vying with justice for our allegiance, but that they fall under justice's imperative to judge other people objectively and treat them as they deserve. Misguided extensions of tolerance and forgiveness imperil the very values that ethics is designed to promote. Thus tolerance and forgiveness are neither virtues nor vices; they are appropriate only when authorised by justice. The paper clarifies the common confusion of tolerance with respect for individuals' rights, and argues that forgiveness is not a supererogatory act of generosity, but is sometimes morally required.

The Importance of Dystopian Hypotheticals: Towards an Ethical Turn in Liberal Political Philosophy

“…157 Unlike tolerance, which is necessarily passive because it mandates non-interference, 158 forgiveness requires a conscious investment in, and communication with, others. 159 As such, forgiveness is quintessentially social, while tolerance, in one important sense, is antisocial. This matters, politically speaking, because without those willing to forgive us our wrongdoing, 'our capacity to act would, as it were, be confined to one single deed from which we could never recover'.…”

Registered Nurses’ personal rights vs. professional responsibility in caring for members of underserved and disenfranchised populations

“…Tolerance is valuable in combating the fact that people are frequently suspicious of difference per se and hostile to those who are disenfranchised even when the differences of some groups are in no way insidious (Smith 1997). Almond (1997) argued that refraining from stereotyping or making an irrational supposition about those who are marginalized is not a compromise of justice; it is the sort of honest, objective judgement that justice requires.…”

Educating for Interprofessional Collaboration: Teaching about Values

“…21 A rationale for tolerance might run as follows. 22 A healthy society, and indeed health and social care interprofessional relationships, depend upon trust among individual members and professionals. Tolerance is valuable in combating the fact that people are frequently suspicious of difference per se and hostile to those who are different even when the differences are in no way pernicious.…”