The Difficulty of Tolerance: Essays in Political Philosophy

These essays in political philosophy by T. M. Scanlon, written between 1969 and 1999, examine the standards by which social and political institutions should be justified and appraised. Scanlon explains how the powers of just institutions are limited by rights such as freedom of expression, and considers why these limits should be respected even when it seems that better results could be achieved by violating them. Other topics which are explored include voluntariness and consent, freedom of expression, tolerance, punishment, and human rights. The collection includes the classic essays ‘Preference and Urgency’, ‘A Theory of Freedom of Expression’, and ‘Contractualism and Utilitarianism’, as well as a number of other essays that have hitherto not been easily accessible. It will be essential reading for all those studying these topics from the perspective of political philosophy, politics, and law.

• Scanlon is one of the most distinguished political philosophers writing today • This volume offers both essays that are regarded as classics and others that have been published in less accessible places • The essays treat topics of great current interest including freedom of expression, tolerance, punishment and human rights

1. A theory of freedom of expression; 2. Rights, goals, and fairness; 3. Due process; 4. Preference and urgency; 5. Freedom of expression and categories of expression; 6. Human rights as a neutral concern; 7. Contractualism and utilitarianism; 8. Content regulation considered; 9. Value, desire and the quality of life; 10. The difficulty of tolerance; 11. The diversity of objections to equality; 12. Punishment and the rule of law; 13. Promises and contracts.