An alternative approach to toleration: Eric Voegelin

This dissertation is a study of toleration concept in the political thought of the German émigré American political philosopher, Eric Voegelin (1901-1985). Voegelin, whose work deals with social and political crisis of the twentieth century is not a commonly referred name when subjects such as toleration and pluralism and multiculturalism are discussed. However, this study argues that Voegelin not only greatly broadens our understanding of history of toleration and but also an alternative theory of toleration could be derived from his works: An intriguing alternative theory of toleration to the value-neutral, pragmatic toleration of liberalism. The study examines Voegelin's unique critique of liberal theory and its use of toleration which he considers a part of the problem of current modern society. The study also explores Voegelin's definition of toleration and his argument for restoring society to a concept of truth. Voegelin considers tolerance as a balance of consciousness: A balance between silence and the expression of knowledge about reality. Man can express the truth in various ways, but everybody shares the same "silence" and the only possible approach to the incomprehensible is one that is beyond all symbolization. Despite the differences, the recognition of what men share is very significant. Voegelin notes that in its original and historical meaning toleration does not mean indifferentism. That type of tolerance creates a polis "fit for pigs." Tolerance in contrast ought to be an attempt to understand the true religion, which is represented by historical religions despite their symbolical differences. Another focus of this study is Jean Bodin's defense of toleration, which has been largely neglected by political philosophers, is of fundamental importance for Voegelin's subsequent theory of toleration. Bodin represents the true religion amid the civilizational disorder of the post-Christian era. Bodin developed his defense of toleration largely in "Colloquium Heptaplomeres" (Colloquium of the Seven). Colloquium Heptaplomeres is a dialogue between men of seven different faiths. A Catholic, A Jew, a philosophic naturalist a Lutheran, a Calvinist, a skeptic and a Muslim try to find answers about the problems of the creation of universe, the problem of man and his quest for God and true religion. Bodin does not seek consensus among these different speakers. Bodin sees religious truth as complex whole. It's a unity based on multiplicity.