The Intolerance of Tolerance

Intolerance is one of those words so widely used, but thought about so little by so many. What makes a person intolerant? What makes a person tolerant? When does disagreement become intolerance? That is why Don Carson’s book The Intolerance of Tolerance is a welcome addition to the bookshelf of any thoughtful observer of culture.

Carson’s book argues that in contemporary Western Culture there are two definitions of tolerance in operation. Previously, tolerance was the acceptance that different views exist (from here on referred to as the “old tolerance”); however, a shift took place so that tolerance came to mean the acceptance of other beliefs. This shift, though subtle, is of great importance. Carson writes:

“To accept that a different or opposing position exists and deserves the right to exist is one thing; to accept the position itself means that one is no longer opposing it. The new tolerance suggests that actually accepting another’s position means believing that position to be true, or at least as true as your own. We move from allowing the free expression of contrary opinions to the acceptance of all opinions; we leap from permitting the articulation of beliefs and claims with which we do not agree to asserting that all beliefs and claims are equally valid. Thus we slide from the old tolerance to the new” (3-4).

The central thesis of Carson’s book is that the new tolerance has become part of the plausibility structure (that is the idea systems that are widely accepted by the culture) of Western culture. The new definition of tolerance has come to dominate social discourse and Carson illustrates many times over how the new tolerance has affected decisions in the realms of politics, education, media, religion, and morality (see chapter two, What is Going On?).   

Chapter three, The History of Tolerance, is Carson’s survey of tolerance in Western intellectual thought. Carson provides historical snapshots that are meant to support his thesis. A change has taken place. It was once the case that the old tolerance was located within the cultural matrix (and dependent upon it); however, the new tolerance became understood independent of culture so that it was raised above culture to be the supreme virtue (75-77). Yet ultimately, when tolerance is detached from the cultural matrix, it becomes a tool for accumulating and exercising control over the populace.

Chapter five examines how the old/new tolerance distinction shapes Christianity. Chapters six and seven explore in greater depth how the new tolerance affects moral and political discourse.

There is a short epilogue (Way Ahead: Ten Words) where Carson attempts to offer counsel for a future where the new tolerance is in full operation. The brevity of this section (one wishes that Carson would have spent more time here) becomes an invitation to readers to think beyond the pages of the book and consider how to navigate the waters ahead.   

Many have applauded Carson’s contribution already. For those interested, you can find more on the book here:

Albert Mohler interviews Carson on his Thinking in Public program. The interview is available in both audio and transcript form.

Tim Challies adds his thoughts here.

Kevin DeYoung listed The Intolerance of Tolerance as one of his top ten books of 2012. 

For those interested you can download Dr. Carson's lectures on the topic online. Go to the linked page and search for 'intolerance of tolerance'.