Tolerance Definition

Tolerance is a major part of human behavior and society. Everyone considers themselves to be tolerant and one is looked down upon if one is not tolerant. However, there is a misconception to what the word and act of tolerance truly mean. Two scholars Gray and Schwartz indulge into what to tolerance truly means. They both provide interesting insight into what tolerance is what tolerance is not. Gray and Schwartz have similarities and differences to how they approach their arguments, however, they find a common ground to answer the question what is tolerance.that tolerance is the facilitation of helping others that we don’t agree with but, also trying to convince them to make better choices. Gray begins by giving an example of Muslims building

Schwartz and Gray both start their cases by what the definition of tolerance is and the misconception that is used when people say that they are tolerant. “The dictionary tells us that to tolerate is to allow what is not actually approved.” (Schwartz) Gray explains the tolerance as what begins with the pain and suffering and ends with the bearable. Schwartz goes even further to assert, that when we think of tolerance and how we apply it to everyday situations that it is more like acceptance. However, to tolerate, to put up with, and to accept are all different things and shouldn’t be used interchangeably. The two scholars mutually agree that tolerance is neither to put up with or to accept through there statements. Schwartz states “However, tolerance as ‘putting up with’ is not adequate. It is extremely important for us to preserve a notion of tolerance that is neither ‘putting up with,’ which demands too little of us, nor ‘acceptance,’ which demands too much.” (Schwartz) Gray takes a similar approach to how he takes a stance on the differences between what is putting up with and tolerance. Gray uses the example of ice cream which is “liked”, broccoli “the bearable” and brussels sprouts “the unbearable”. He further asserts that we as people can only tolerate things that we don’t like. They both agree that autonomy and there is no set way to live one’s life is a key aspect of tolerance. Gray states, “Everyone is capable of recognizing the importance of something to another’s way of life. Tolerance is between committed equals that are committed to living our own lives.” (Gray) Schwartz has a similar opinion that appeals to the importance of autonomy of life relative to tolerance. “But if we think that the aims of the group are morally significant and tolerable, then in the service of autonomy, authorship, and