"Toleration: A Very Short Introduction" was written by Andrew R. Murphy published in 2025. It is part of the "Very Short Introductions" series from Oxford University Press

This book explores the complex history and future of toleration. It delves into the concept's emergence from early modern debates over religion, highlighting its evolution as a political practice that grants legal and political acceptance to groups despite disapproval of their beliefs or practices .The book examines pre-modern and non-Western examples of toleration, including Cyrus II of Persia, Ashoka, Akbar, and medieval Spain, challenging the notion that it is solely a product of Western liberalism.

"Toleration: A Very Short Introduction" also discusses the role of toleration in colonial and imperial contexts, demonstrating how European powers, particularly the British in India, utilized it as a tool for control and subjugation. The book critically examines contemporary critiques of toleration, exploring arguments that view it as perpetuating inequalities and enabling prejudice.

Finally, the book contemplates the future of toleration in an increasingly diverse world, considering whether it remains a valuable concept or should be replaced by more robust ethical frameworks that promote respect and understanding.

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