Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Synopsis The subject will focus on the foundations and limits of religious toleration and individual freedom in a multicultural society. We shall examine some of the classics on toleration, Mill's essay On liberty and Locke's A letter concerning toleration, and discuss the extent to which their arguments are relevant to contemporary issues. Does religious toleration imply religious scepticism? Must society have a shared morality, and if so, should it use the criminal law to enforce it? Is cultural diversity desirable, and is it a requirement of justice that we permit or sustain such diversity? Do groups have rights to preserve their way of life, and is there a conflict between group rights and individual liberty?
Assessment Two essays (3000 words each): 50% each + Optional replacement of one essay by a 3-hour examination