Norberto Bobbio and the political justification of tolerance

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36592/opiniaofilosofica.2025.v16.1275

Keywords:

Tolerance, Bobbio, Politics, Justification

Abstract

This article aims to approach the reasons for tolerance in the political context based on Norberto Bobbio’s contribution. This is a theoretical analysis with the intention of extracting the concept of tolerance and its possible justifying reasons. Bobbio proposes three practical justifications for tolerance: respect for diverse religious beliefs, since intolerance and persecution have only caused wars instead of peace; persuasion as the possibility of respectful debate about differences; and moral reason as the fundamental basis of respect for others and their autonomy. Methodologically, we will first contextualize tolerance in some theorists of modern and contemporary political philosophy and then explore tolerance in Bobbio’s political thought. Our conclusion is that tolerance is the supreme principle of community and democratic life; in this sense, it is an eminent political concept that is justified by respect for differences if they do not destroy tolerance itself.

Author Biographies

  • Francisco Jozivan Guedes de Lima, Universidade Federal do Piauí

    Pós-doutorado em filosofia pela Udelar (URU). Doutor em Filosofia PUCRS. Professor do Depto e do PPG Filosofia UFPI.

  • Joais Lima Cruz, Universidade Estadual do Estado de Mato Grosso

    Mestre em Ciência Política (UFPI). Professor Substituto na Faculdade de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas da Universidade Estadual do Estado de Mato Grosso (Unemat).

References

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Published

2025-11-13

Issue

Vol. 16 (2025)

Section

Artigos

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Copyright (c) 2025 Jozivan Guedes, Joais Lima Cruz (Autor)

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How to Cite

LIMA, Francisco Jozivan Guedes de; CRUZ, Joais Lima. Norberto Bobbio and the political justification of tolerance. Revista Opinião Filosófica, Porto Alegre, v. 16, p. 1–16, 2025. DOI: 10.36592/opiniaofilosofica.2025.v16.1275. Disponível em: https://mail.opiniaofilosofica.org/index.php/opiniaofilosofica/article/view/1275.. Acesso em: 24 oct. 2026.