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Tradition and Prudence in Locke's Exceptions to Toleration

Tradition and Prudence in Locke's Exceptions to Toleration Why did Locke exclude Catholics and atheists from toleration? Not, I contend, because he was trapped by his context, but because his prudential approach and practical judgments led him to traditional texts. I make this argument first by outlining the connections among prudential exceptionality, practical judgments, and traditional texts. I then describe important continuities between conventional English understandings of the relationship between state and religion and Locke's writings on toleration, discuss Locke's conception of rights, and illustrate his use of prudential exceptions and distinctions. I conclude by arguing that Locke's problems are relevant to assessing contemporary liberal discussions of toleration and the separation of state and religion that lean heavily on practical justifications. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png American Journal of Political Science Wiley

Tradition and Prudence in Locke's Exceptions to Toleration

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Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
ISSN
0092-5853
eISSN
1540-5907
DOI
10.1111/1540-5907.00017
Publisher site
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Abstract

Why did Locke exclude Catholics and atheists from toleration? Not, I contend, because he was trapped by his context, but because his prudential approach and practical judgments led him to traditional texts. I make this argument first by outlining the connections among prudential exceptionality, practical judgments, and traditional texts. I then describe important continuities between conventional English understandings of the relationship between state and religion and Locke's writings on toleration, discuss Locke's conception of rights, and illustrate his use of prudential exceptions and distinctions. I conclude by arguing that Locke's problems are relevant to assessing contemporary liberal discussions of toleration and the separation of state and religion that lean heavily on practical justifications.

Journal

American Journal of Political Science – Wiley

Published: Apr 1, 2003

References

  • The Separation of Church and State and the Obligations of Citizenship
    Audi, Audi
  • The Way of Hypothesis: Locke on Method
    Farr, Farr
  • John Locke: From Absolutism to Toleration
    Kraynak, Kraynak
  • Tolerance and Community: A Medieval Communal Functionalist Argument for Religious Toleration
    Nederman, Nederman
  • The Civil Theology of Liberal Democracy: Locke and His Predecessors
    Sandoz, Sandoz