Locke’s theory of toleration and its critics
department or school: Arts, Faculty of
department or school: Philosophy, Department of
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCV
creator: Raabe, Peter Bruno
issued: 2009-02-10T17:46:49Z
issued: 1994
related degree: Master of Arts - MA
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: It has been argued that Locke's theory of toleration is not only flawed in some respects, but that it lacks relevance for present day North American society since it addresses only the conditions and concerns of Locke's own civil society and historical period. But a detailed analysis of the arguments in the Letter, along with an examination of the criticisms of his letter levelled at him by his contemporary, Jonas Proast, especially, on the issue of the use of force to promote belief, shows that Locke's theory of toleration is in fact logically sound and quite rigorous. Furthermore, an examination of some of Locke's other writings reveals that Locke has based his theory of toleration on sound political and epistemological foundations. A scrutiny of later criticisms by Joseph Priestley, Susan Mendus, Jeremy Waldron, and John Rawls shows that they also fail to diminish either the force of Locke's arguments or the relevance of his theory of toleration to present day issues surrounding religious freedom. Although Locke's intolerance of atheists is shown to be misplaced, it is argued that his approach to universal religious toleration is not at odds with modern approaches from individual rights. It is also argued that he is not mistaken in his assumption that matters of state can, and must, be separated from matters of religion if the peace and security of a state are to be maintained. Locke's theory of toleration is therefore shown to be neither parochial nor historically bound.
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/4392
extent: 5544468 bytes
format: application/pdf
note: LOCKE'S THEORY OF TOLERATION AND ITS CRITICS by PETER BRUNO RAABE B.A. Hon. The U n i v e r s i t y of B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a , 1994 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS i n THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Department of P h i l o s o p h y ) We accept t h i s t h e s i s as c o n f o r m i n g to the r e q u i r e d s t a n d a r d THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA September 1995 (c) P e t e r Bruno Raabe, 1995 In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the head of my department or by his or her representatives. It is understood that copying or. publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department of f K( 1 The University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada Date DE-6 (2/88) Abstract I t has been argued t h a t Locke ' s theory of t o l e r a t i o n is not only f l a w e d in some respects , but t h a t i t lacks re levance fo r present day N o r t h Amer ican soc ie ty since i t addresses only the cond i t i ons and concerns of Locke 's own c i v i l soc ie ty and h i s t o r i c a l p e r i o d . But a d e t a i l e d a n a l y s i s o f t h e a r g u m e n t s in t h e L e t t e r , a l o n g w i t h an examina t ion of the c r i t i c i s m s of his l e t t e r l e v e l l e d at h im by his con tempora ry , Jonas Proast , espec ia l l y , on the issue of the use of f o r c e to promote be l i e f , shows t h a t Locke ' s t heo ry of t o l e r a t i o n is in f a c t l o g i c a l l y sound and qu i te r igo rous . F u r t h e r m o r e , an examina t ion of some of Locke ' s o ther w r i t i n g s reveals t h a t Locke has based his t h e o r y o f t o l e r a t i o n on s…
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
date issued: 1995-11
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0087125
language: eng
degree discipline: Philosophy
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
scholar level: Graduate
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/4392