The cautious path of European freedom of consciousness: John Locke’s idea of tolerance

The Letter concerning toleration, published anonymously in Holland by John Locke in 1689, is a basic text of the modern theory of toleration. At a historical time when, in Europe, many were the different interpretations of the notion of tolerance – not all construed in positive terms and it suffice to recall Thomas Paine’s idea of tolerance as a ‘mask’ of intolerance that might pave the path to despotism – Locke was able to develop an understanding of the issue that would later buttress freedom of conscience throughout Europe – though with views that many historians would later consider too ‘pragmatic’ and even conservative.

In this paper I intend to analyse some specific issues that are critical to fully understand Locke’s project: the political reasons of tolerance linked to the function of the State and its specific role; tolerance as a question of ‘public interest’ and as necessary to ensure stability and social order and curb any form of fanaticism; the link between political and religious toleration; tolerance as a ‘pragmatic’ path towards freedom of conscience. Finally, and most importantly, the paper will try to grasp the influence of Locke’s thought on the way Europe imagined itself.

All these are aspects are central to European culture and all of them encouraged a debate that, even in its more conservative forms, contributed to shape the idea of tolerance as freedom of conscience. Locke’s ‘liberal’ point of view set the limits of this perspective, one based on the general interest of the community and on the importance of social ties.