The paradox of tolerance states that if a society's practice of tolerance is inclusive of the intolerant, intolerance will ultimately dominate, eliminating the tolerant and the practice of tolerance with them. Karl Popper describes the paradox as arising from the seemingly self-contradictory idea that, in order to maintain a tolerant society, the society must retain the right to be intolerant of intolerance.
Formulation
Tolerance is characterized by three traits, as enumerated by Preston King:
An objection component, wherein the object of toleration is objectionable. For instance, a follower of one faith may assert the beliefs of another faith are wrong.
An acceptance component, which does not resolve the objection but instead offers positive reasons for overlooking it, e.g. social harmony.
A rejection component, which defines the limits of tolerance, at what point the positive reasons are outweighed by the objection.The paradox of tolerance concerns the rejection component. Most formulations of tolerance assert that tolerance is a reciprocal act, and the...
M.S. Bellows, Jr.
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