Is tolerance a virtue or a vice?

Answer 1

Good question for a philosophy section. I think it becomes a matter of what exactly one is tolerating. To tolerate 'cultural differences' sure sounds like a good thing, especially when we are talking about something like celebrating a different holiday or different styles of dress. But is it still a virtue when we start talking about 'honor killings' in the Middle-East or the mutilations carried out on infant girls in Africa? I don't think so. But then, where do we draw the line? Mutilations and murder are easy...how about religions that prevent parents from taking sick children to the hospital? Should that be tolerated?

Good question. Don't know the answer. Fun to talk about though.

Answer 2

It can be either. Look around here on Answer and you see it lacking all together. Generally it is thought of as a virtue. Like in the Ottoman Empire, the government was generally tolerant of other religions. The same is said for the most part the people of the USA.

It is a vice when it allows a bad outcome. A mother who is to tolerant of her child's behavior to the point where it leads to a bad result.

I think more often it is a virtue then a vice.

Answer 3

It depends. For example, tolerance of racism, homophobia and anti-semitism is a vice. We have to eliminate racism, homophobia and anti-semitism.

Answer 4

it depends on whether you have too much, too litte, or the perfect balance.