Religious Toleration and Social Contract Theories of Justice

Abstract

Because “religious toleration” is a concept with a particular (and controverted) history, its very usage foregrounds the challenges in navigating between historical particularities and conceptual generalizations. This chapter begins by considering the antinomy that arises from the mutually challenging claims of historical positivism and conceptual positivism. Using an alternative to both of these approaches that may be designated “traditionary inquiry,” this chapter considers whether not only “religion” but specifically “religious toleration” can be conceptualized apart from the self-legitimating narrative offered by the modern nation state. Given the central place of John Locke among early modern conceptions of the state and religious toleration, the chapter culminates in an account of how Locke negotiates between competing traditions of contractarianism, even as he presumes a crucially Protestant conception of faith. The issues raised by Locke’s attempt to hold together conflicting species of contractarianism provide the occasion for reflection on how debates regarding religious toleration may be helpfully framed in the present.