Tolerance is a Social Contract

I’m going to get one thing out of the way: Morality is not tolerance, and tolerance is not morality. These are vastly different concepts. Morality is based on three distinct frameworks:

1. Deontology: Focused on duties and responsibilities.
2. Utilitarianism: Centered on achieving the greatest good for the greatest number.
3. Virtue Ethics: Emphasizing character and virtues.

In America, Virtue Ethics is the most prevalent, heavily influenced by the moral frameworks of Abrahamic religions that have shaped our culture. With that distinction in mind, let’s set aside tolerance as a moral standard and instead view it as a social contract.

Tolerance is a mutual agreement that requires both parties to opt in. As long as each party respects the agreement—allowing one another to live freely and unencumbered—it remains intact. However, when one party willfully and intentionally breaks the contract, they forfeit the tolerance afforded to them under this agreement. This is where the system begins to unravel.

To maintain this social contract, both parties must cultivate a high degree of social consciousness, which involves understanding and awareness on multiple levels:

1. What do I think?
2. What does the other person think?
3. What do I think of the other person?
4. What does the other person think of me?
5. What do I think about what the other person thinks of me?

For the social contract of tolerance to function effectively, both parties need to operate at this fifth layer of awareness. Any negativity, mistrust, or misunderstanding at these deeper levels can poison the contract, leading to its breakdown.

I implore you to shift your perspective on tolerance—from seeing it as a moral concept to understanding it as a social contract.

Find someone whose views differ from yours and seek common ground. As you break down these barriers, you’ll begin to see that we’re not so different after all. Our differences often stem from varying resources and states of mind, not from our shared humanity.