Modern Universalism and the Myth Of Westernness
Abdulla M. Al-Dabbagh
THE COMPAKATIST MODERN UNIVERSALISM AND MYTH OF WESTERNNESS Abdulla Al-Dabbagh I have read, reverend Fathers, in the works of Arabs, that when Abdala Saracen was asked what he regarded as most to be wondered at on world's stage, so speak, answered there is nothing seen more wonderful than man (nihil spectari Homine admirabilius). (Pico della Mirandola, qtd. Makdisi 307) In a recent address president MLA, Edward Said declared did not "believe humanism subject for us can evaded," and asked: "Does now help our enterprise, or has it served its purpose? If hasn't, we need concentrate reclaim purposes citizen-members ofour profession" (3). It this paper's implicit, underlying purpose answer Said's question positive way. For renewed, modern form ofhumanism, new humanist universalism , precisely moment, response both current anti-human onslaught ofimperialist globalism, marches inevitably, rightly points out, behind banner "humanism" "human rights," anti-humanism pervaded much Western philosophic thought last hundred years (the Age High Imperialism) openly re-surfaced once again two decades. Such true would only apt reply past anti-human, unjust, oppressive politics present. timely philosophy belief twenty-first century. One indication ofthe importance ofhumanism cannot evaded (which same time also symptomatic inadequacy many such discussions) appearance title New Critical Idiom series (Davies). This study, while clearly establishing early (i.e. Renaissance) contemporary late high imperialist) distinct poles debate issue, completely neglects origins universalism. total neglect, surprisingly but just symptomatically, marks Cambridge Companion Renaissance Humanism appeared 1996 been reprinted twice since, Davies's "Forum Renaissance," recently published The American Historical Review. contention ofthis paper,1 which based research broad synthesis persistent trend scholarship comparative spirit seeks counter flattering assumption West developed "splendid isolation" from other cultures, notably Islamic neighbor east south, an important Vol. 27 (2003): 5 UNIVEKSALISM ANV myth ofwesteknness part these go back civilization. For, spite fashionable talk about "clash civilizations," demonstrated length existence wide, movement heart classical civilization preceded European modernism by three four centuries. movement, aptly termed Islam, clear harbinger, major force rise, Renaissance. Among main features humanism, e.g. individualism, secularism, belle-lettrism, idealism, stands out path-breaking reverberating influence subsequent developments world literature culture through period beyond. words, roots (eighth tenth centuries particularly) laid foundation twelfth-century (Haskins) stages, culminating wide (with capital "R") fifteenth sixteenth classic study field defines principal expression "a philosophical embraced scientific heritage antiquity cultural educational ideal" elaborates "along with literary epitomized word adab, equivalent of...
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