Tolerance as a Manifestation of Indifference

Abstract

The article is devoted to the theoretical analysis of the understanding of the phenomenon of tolerance in psychology and the determination of the characteristics and probable reasons for the manifestation of such a form as tolerance of indifference, which is currently the most widespread in the world, according to the authors of this article. It is stated that there are a lot of different interpretations of the concept of tolerance in the scientific literature and they continue with an awareness of the complexity, multidimensionality and dynamic nature of this phenomenon, however, instead of identifying what unites them, which is common for the definition of tolerance, scientists are focused on attempts to offer their own, more a good understanding of it, different from the existing ones. And this actually means the absence in science of the exact meaning of this word, as well as an understanding of what exactly, what psychological phenomenon it means. And the attempts of scientists to distinguish this concept from the concept of tolerance in no way facilitate the solution of the situation. It is suggested that tolerance and intolerance should not be opposed in the context of a "positive-negative" attitude, since these concepts are not mutually exclusive, and the manifestation of intolerance under certain circumstances can be a moral phenomenon, in contrast to tolerance. It is noted that the biggest problem and still unresolved issue of the psychology of tolerance is the definition of the boundaries of manifestation of tolerance, tolerant attitude towards another person and his actions. It is concluded that the limit of the manifestation of a tolerant attitude is violation / neglect of other norms of universal human morality; that in the modern world, tolerance is not always actively manifested, more often the tolerance of indifference dominates. And it is precisely this manifestation of tolerance that has a long history (philosophical and religious), which serves as a serious basis for modern manifestations of tolerance as indifference. Tolerance of indifference is a manifestation of a stable, not always conscious, indifferent attitude to various issues of human existence, which excludes both a person's assessment of the current situation and taking responsibility for its development. The tolerance of indifference was inherited by the post-Soviet countries from totalitarianism, but the modern information society, in part, involuntarily cultivates just this kind of tolerance, gradually leveling the axiological significance of a person's moral and existential values.