tolleranza

Tolleranza is the capacity to endure or permit the existence of opinions, behaviors, or identities one may disagree with, and the willingness to allow coexistence within a community. The term derives from the Latin tolerare, to bear or endure, and is used in both social and technical contexts.

In social and moral terms, tolleranza refers to the acceptance of diversity in beliefs, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, political views, and lifestyles, without coercive attempts to suppress those differences. The modern concept is rooted in the historical emergence of religious toleration and pluralism in Europe, influenced by Enlightenment thought and the development of liberal political philosophy. Prominent contributors include John Locke, Voltaire, and later constitutional regimes that enshrine freedom of conscience, expression, and association.

In political philosophy, tolleranza supports civil liberties, minority rights, and the rule of law as foundations for pluralist and peaceful societies. It also involves recognizing limits when freedom of expression or action harms others, such as in cases of incitement to violence or discrimination.

A related, distinct sense appears in engineering and manufacturing, where tolleranza denotes the allowable deviation from a stated dimension or specification. Tolerances ensure interoperability and quality control of components.

Critiques of tolleranza include debates about its boundaries and the paradox of tolerance, popularized by Karl Popper, which argues that a tolerant society may need to be selectively intolerant toward intolerance to defend democratic institutions.