Toleration, Power and the Right to Justification: Rainer Forst in Dialogue

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Rainer Forst's Toleration in Conflict (published in English 2013) is the most important historical and philosophical analysis of toleration of the past several decades. Reconstructing the entire history of the concept, it provides a forceful account of the tensions and dilemmas that pervade the discourse of toleration. In his lead essay for this volume, Forst revisits his work on toleration and situates it in relation to both the concept of political liberty and his wider project of a critical theory of justification. Interlocutors Teresa M. Bejan, John Horton, Chandran Kukathas, Daniel Weinstock, Melissa S. Williams, Patchen Markell and David Owen then critically examine Forst's reconstruction of toleration, his account of political liberty and the form of critical theory that he articulates in his work on such political concepts. The volume concludes with Forst's reply to his critics. -- .

Reviews

'A brilliant philosophical conversation between Rainer Forst, the most prominent theorist of toleration today, and an impressive cast of distinguished critics. What emerges is a profound reflection on the critical and rationalist foundations of the ideal of toleration, and their connection to the power inequalities and struggles for recognition that makes toleration both an essential and a disputed political virtue. Forsts characteristically insightful response takes the debate one step further. This is bound to become a landmark volume on the political theory of toleration.'
Ccile Laborde, Nuffield Professor of Political Theory, University of Oxford

'Over the past several decades, Rainer Forst has shown in path-breaking work how profoundly modern theories of toleration have shaped the liberal-democratic tradition and continue to illuminate the nature of social justice. The critical essays in this volume, along with Forst's replies, demonstrate the important extent to which his work has helped to renew contemporary democratic theory.'
Charles Larmore, W. Duncan MacMillan Family Professor in the Humanities, Brown University

'How to live in societies marked by deep differences is one of the most pressing questions of our time. Rainer Forsts theory of toleration seeks to provides us with normative and conceptual guideposts for addressing this very dilemma. Offering a tour de force, Forsts analysis masterfully encompasses historical and genealogical perspectives, rationalist and critical arguments, calling for reflexive justification that is always grounded in a web of social conflicts and power relations. This volume is a must read for philosophers and anyone interested in critical theory that tackles our deepest fears and aspirations for emancipation, justice and toleration in an age of near-constant crisis.'
Ayelet Shachar, Director of the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity

Author Bio

Rainer Forst is Professor of Political Theory and Philosophy at Goethe University, Frankfurt and Co-Director of the Research Institute 'The Formation of Normative Orders'