Tolerance within the European construction philosophy
Tolerance within the European construction philosophy

Summary/Abstract: The philosophical concept of tolerance has determined its content over time, in relation to the general evolution of society, in order to signify a way of building the individual‟s personality and of the society he lives in, based on the existence of a moral, political, religious and cultural diversity recognized as a plurality of beliefs, options, mentalities, customs, usages, which cohabit peacefully, based on a dialogue and on a constant negotiation. The idea of tolerance is developed especially during modern age (J. Locke, Voltaire, Kant and others) based on ontological, gnoseological, axiological and moral arguments. Tolerance has become a component of the European spirituality, after the serious historical experiences of intolerance (inquisitions, wars, national oppression, and discrimination against national minorities) standing at the basis of the European construction philosophy, which is conceived as a way of structuring unity in diversity that is expressed in the Treaties, in the institutional functioning and in the politicies that are so strongly supported by the European Union. Hence the idea that when discriminations and violations of the precepts of tolerance appear, intercultural mediation and the cultivation of values that give tolerance a real consistency receive a significant role within the European construction.

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