Kakatiya University- UG English, Semester-V
UNIT-I
Tolerance is a moral virtue- By Rivka T. Witenberg
Prose Text
We hear a lot about tolerance these
days.
Tolerance is a moral virtue best placed
within the moral domain – but unfortunately it is often confounded with
prejudice. Much of the psychological research about tolerance generally and
about the development of children’s understanding of tolerance of others who
are different from them has been examined through research about prejudice –
and not through the moral domain. The assumption made is that absence of
prejudice by default means a person is tolerant.
Prejudice and tolerance are actually
theoretically different concepts – and not the opposite of each other. In fact,
they coexist in most of us.
Tolerance is difficult to define, which
may have led to limiting the study of tolerance in psychology in favour of
studying prejudice. But, unlike prejudice, tolerance can be grounded in the
moral domain which offers a positive approach to examining relationships
between groups of people who are different from each other.
Based on its Latin origin, tolerance,
or toleration as philosophers often refer to it, is most commonly viewed
negatively as “putting up with” something we dislike or even hate. If a person
is prepared to “put up with” something – along the lines of, I do not like the
colour of your skin but I will still serve you not to lose your custom – that person
is someone who does not discriminate but remains intolerant in thoughts and
beliefs.
Besides, who wants to be tolerated or
be “put up with”?
At the same time tolerance cannot be
indiscriminate. Indiscriminate acceptance in its most extreme form could lead
to recognition of questionable practice and human rights violations – for
instance, child marriages and neo-Nazi propaganda.
Tolerance
as a moral virtue
An alternative way for us to think of
tolerance is to place it within the moral domain and recognise that it is what
it is, a moral virtue.
Many recent philosophers have linked
tolerance with respect, equality and liberty. Those such as Michael Dusche, John
Rawls and Michael Walzer among others, argue that
we should regard tolerance as a positive civic and moral duty between
individuals, irrespective of colour, creed or culture.
In other words, it is a moral
obligation or duty which involves respect for the individual as well as mutual
respect and consideration between people. Tolerance between people makes it
possible for conflicting claims of beliefs, values and ideas to coexistence as
long as they fit within acceptable moral values.
So while different marriage practices
fit in within acceptable moral values, sexual abuse of children is immoral and
cannot be tolerated. I believe tolerance is an essential component in social
unity and a remedy to intolerance and prejudice.
The idea that tolerance is a moral duty
had been acknowledged by earlier civil libertarians, such as John Locke, Baruch
Spinoza, John Stuart Mill and others. They argue that tolerant people value the
individual, his or her independence and freedom of choice.
When tolerance is placed within the
moral domain relating to fairness, justice and respect and avoiding causing
harm to others, it can only be viewed as a positive moral virtue.
Psychological research supports the idea
that tolerance is better placed within the moral domain. My own research with my students shows
the best indicators and predictors of tolerance to human diversity are fairness
and empathy.
Fairness and empathy are also very
closely connected to moral development and reasoning. They are fundamental to
any coherent moral philosophy.
Empathy
and morality
Psychologists such as Johnathan
Haidt believe empathy is the most important motivator for moral
behaviour. Others such as Martin Hoffman argue empathy is a
motivator of prosocial and altruistic or unselfish behaviour.
Empathic people are sensitive to the
thoughts, feelings and experiences of others. They are able to place themselves
in someone else’s shoes or understand how it would feel to be treated badly.
Placing oneself in someone else’s shoes is the essence of tolerance.
My research shows that people of all
ages including children have a strong sense of fairness and empathy towards
others different from them in colour, creed or culture. They reject prejudice
and intolerance between 70% and 80% of the time affirming tolerance based on
fairness and empathy.
Moral values such as fairness, justice,
empathy, tolerance and respect are shared, if not universal, values relevant to
dealing with human diversity
Tolerance examined as separate concept
could have unique implications for education and social policy. Education aimed
at promoting a harmonious society could do well to focus more on the
relationship between morality and tolerance. Grounding tolerance in theories of
morality allows for an alternative educational approach to promote harmonious
intergroup relationships.
Part of this education would involve
developing a strong sense of fairness and justice and the ability to empathise
with the plight of others who are different in racial characteristics, ethnicity
or nationality.
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