Detailed discussion of tolerance doctrine, comparing and contrasting Hobbes, Locke, and Roger Williams, whose idea of "Meer Civility" is borrowed for the title.

These three philosophers developed their doctrines at a time of frequent verbal religious strife, both between Protestants and Catholics and outside to other faiths. In summary, Hobbes mostly pushed for silence and Locke through legislation, though those views changed over his lifetime. Williams was more in between these two, suggesting that thicker skins were better, and distinguishing between true compromise and mere civility. The conclusion of the book notes that America has generally more freedom of speech and fewer laws related to insults than other societies.

The author teaches political theory at Oxford, and unfortunately this reads more like a textbook than an accessible work of non-fiction. Sentences are long and dense - here is one example from the conclusion:
"Even if one rejects Williams' mere civility, along with the Hobbesian and Lockean alternative, as intolerant or repressive, it is important to remember that all of these positions arose out of a serious and sustained engagement with a truth that modern commentators too often seem determined to overlook."

It took me more than two months to finish this book, and that wasn't time spent in studied contemplation. I chose this book as a follow up to a Williams biography and history read recently. 2½ stars out of 5.