多數學者認為懷疑主義並無法為寬容提出十足的理據,但筆者認為在以撒.柏林的思想裡,可以從他的懷疑主義來理解寬容。柏林的思想裡帶有幾項懷疑主義的特徵:第一,從他對於「哲學本質」的看法,認為哲學問題並沒有一個確定性答案,因此我們無法只從單一理論或途徑來回應哲學問題。第二,從他對於「理解」和「同情共感」的看法,了解人類不是只靠「理性」了解這個世界。第三,從他對於「現實意識」的看法,真正可怕的不是我們會犯錯,而是認為永不犯錯。是故,筆者希望透過對柏林的懷疑主義的剖析,來探討他的寬容觀,以及其在自由主義、多元主義的關係為何;並藉由詮釋他的寬容,使我們對寬容有更多不同的認識,也能進一步了解柏林的政治思想。
It is difficult to practice and justify toleration, and most scholars argue that scepticism offers no convincing reasons for toleration. We can understand Berlin's toleration from his skepticism. There are many common characteristics in the history of scepticism, and in Berlin's thoughts. First, Berlin argued that we cannot find the correct answer in philosophical questions, because there are many different answers in each place and era. Second, we do not have rationality only, but also understanding and empathy, which help us to understand the world. Third, the worst is not that we make a mistake, but that we believe we will not make it. We can understand Berlin's argument through his sense of reality. In this article, I will try to articulate Berlin's toleration through his skepticism, and I hope we can understand toleration with different views and Berlin's political thought.