Gender and political tolerance

Abstract

The paper draws attention to the diverse nature of the positions involved in the ongoing debate about gender. While some positions are scientific, others have a metaphysical, ethical or political character. From a liberal egalitarian paradigm, this distinction is crucial. Public institutions treat all citizens as free and equal when they are metaphysically and ethically neutral. Neutrality involves two requirements. On the one hand, public institucions must be justified on political or scientific considerations and, on the other they must not promote or endorse any ethical or metaphysical conception.