The International Journal of Critical Cultural Studies

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Edward W. Said's Humanism: A Road to Enlightenment and Coexistence


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1 University of California, Davis, United States
     

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The present article will argue that Saidian humanism steers humankind toward enlightenment and coexistence and that a wide knowledge of Islamic traditions is indispensable for a better understanding of Saidian humanism. For these purposes, the article will first summarize and elucidate the tenets of Saidian humanism, highlighting the fact that the originality and comprehensiveness of Said's humanism is a result of his employment of Islamic traditions; next, it will demonstrate European literature's antagonism toward the Near East, which was an important factor in causing non-coexistence in the past; and finally, it will suggest one mode of intellectual coexistence for Western academia in the 21st century.

Keywords

Saidian Humanism, Antagonism of European Literature Toward the Near East, Enlightenment, Coexistence.
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  • Edward W. Said's Humanism: A Road to Enlightenment and Coexistence

Abstract Views: 160  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Navid Saberi-Najafi
University of California, Davis, United States

Abstract


The present article will argue that Saidian humanism steers humankind toward enlightenment and coexistence and that a wide knowledge of Islamic traditions is indispensable for a better understanding of Saidian humanism. For these purposes, the article will first summarize and elucidate the tenets of Saidian humanism, highlighting the fact that the originality and comprehensiveness of Said's humanism is a result of his employment of Islamic traditions; next, it will demonstrate European literature's antagonism toward the Near East, which was an important factor in causing non-coexistence in the past; and finally, it will suggest one mode of intellectual coexistence for Western academia in the 21st century.

Keywords


Saidian Humanism, Antagonism of European Literature Toward the Near East, Enlightenment, Coexistence.

References