Early Modern Skepticism and the Origins of Toleration [Hardcover]

Alan Levine (Author, Contributor), Michael Gillespie (Contributor), Maryanne Cline Horowitz (Contributor), Alan Craig Houston (Contributor), Shirley Letwin (Contributor), Joshua Mitchell (Contributor), Patrick Riley (Contributor), Diana J. Schaub (Contributor), Steven B. Smith (Contributor), Nathan Tarcov (Contributor), Kenneth R. Weinstein (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 22, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0739100238 | ISBN-13: 978-0739100233

This collection of original essays by the nation's leading political theorists examines the origins of modernity and considers the question of tolerance as a product of early modern religious skepticism. Rather than approaching the problem through a purely historical lens, the authors actively demonstrate the significance of these issues to contemporary debates in political philosophy and public policy. The contributors to Early Modern Skepticism raise and address questions of the utmost significance: Is religious faith necessary for ethical behavior? Is skepticism a fruitful ground from which to argue for toleration? This book will be of interest to historians, philosophers, religious scholars, and political theorists—anyone concerned about the tensions between private beliefs and public behavior.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Levine and his contributors must be congratulated for producing a uniformly learned and elegant set of inquiries into the foundations of early modern toleration. (American Political Science Review )

Many excellent American writers have made Montaigne a precursor of modern liberalism. They include . . . Alan Levine (Early Modern Skepticism and the Origins of Toleration). (Times Literary Supplement )

About the Author

Alan Levine is Assistant Professor of Government at American University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 290 pages
• Publisher: Lexington Books (April 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739100238
• ISBN-13: 978-0739100233
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,580,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent collection, October 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Early Modern Skepticism and the Origins of Toleration (Applications of Political Theory) (Paperback)

Levine has gathered a great group of political theorists, and presented them with an intriguing question: where does the notion of toleration come from in modern political thought? Their answers are well worth reading.