In this engaging and comprehensive introduction to the topic of toleration, Andrew Jason Cohen seeks to answer fundamental questions, such as: What is toleration? What should be tolerated? Why is toleration important?

Beginning with some key insights into what we mean by toleration, Cohen goes on to investigate what should be tolerated and why. We should not be free to do everythingÑmurder, rape, and theft, for clear examples, should not be tolerated. But should we be free to take drugs, hire a prostitute, or kill ourselves? Should our governments outlaw such activities or tolerate them? Should they tolerate outsourcing of jobs or importing of goods or put embargos on other countries? Cohen examines these difficult questions, among others, and argues that we should look to principles of toleration to guide our answers. These principles tell us when limiting freedom is acceptableÑthat is, they indicate the proper limits of toleration. Cohen deftly explains the main principles on offer and indicates why one of these stands out from the rest.

This wide-ranging new book on an important topic will be essential reading for students taking courses in philosophy, political science and religious studies.

Andrew Jason Cohen is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Georgia State University

Acknowledgments viii

Introduction 1

1 The Topic and Its Historical Relevance 8

2 Two Approaches to the Normative Issues 19

3 The Harm Principle 36

4 Other Principles 55

5 Extending the Harm Principle 86

6 Children and the Paradoxes of Toleration and

Liberalism 111

7 General Defenses of Toleration 125

8 Conclusion 151

Notes 157

References 168

Index 173