|
29db738
|
In the pragmatist, streetwise climate of advanced postmodern capitalism, with its scepticism of big pictures and grand narratives, its hard-nosed disenchantment with the metaphysical, 'life' is one among a whole series of discredited totalities. We are invited to think small rather than big - ironically, at just the point when some of those out to destroy Western civilization are doing exactly the opposite. In the conflict between Western capitalism and radical Islam, a paucity of belief squares up to an excess of it. The West finds itself faced with a full-blooded metaphysical onslaught at just the historical point that it has, so to speak, philosophically disarmed. As far as belief goes, postmodernism prefers to travel light: it has beliefs, to be sure, but it does not have faith.
|
|
faith
religion
life
philosophy
grand-narratives
islamic-fundamentalism
philosophical-scepticism
western-world
western-culture
metaphysics
islamic-terrorism
belief
capitalism
islam
islamism
pragmatism
postmodernism
|
Terry Eagleton |
|
2e57d33
|
"Suppose that we agree that the two atrocities can or may be mentioned in the same breath. Why should we do so? I wrote at the time ( , October 5, 1998) that Osama bin Laden 'hopes to bring a "judgmental" monotheism of his own to bear on these United States.' Chomsky's recent version of this is 'considering the grievances expressed by people of the Middle East region.' In my version, then as now, one confronts an enemy who wishes ill to our society, and also to his own (if impermeable religious despotism is considered an 'ill'). In Chomsky's reading, one must learn to sift through the inevitable propaganda and emotion resulting from the September 11 attacks, and lend an ear to the suppressed and distorted cry for help that comes, not from the victims, but from the perpetrators. I have already said how distasteful I find this attitude. I wonder if even Chomsky would now like to have some of his own words back? Why else should he take such care to quote himself deploring the atrocity? Nobody accused him of not doing so. It's often a bad sign when people defend themselves against charges which haven't been made."
|
|
war
emotion
religion
al-shifa-pharmaceutical-factory
noam-chomsky
the-nation
despotism
monotheism
war-crimes
theocracy
osama-bin-laden
september-11-attacks
middle-east
islamic-terrorism
terrorism
united-states
islam
propaganda
|
Christopher Hitchens |
|
c769481
|
The 'pre-emption' versus 'prevention' debate may be a distinction without much difference. The important thing is to have it understood that the United States is absolutely serious. The jihadists have in the past bragged that America is too feeble and corrupt to fight. A lot is involved in disproving that delusion on their part.
|
|
war
delusion
islamic-terrorism
jihad
preemptive-war
preventive-war
debate
war-on-terror
iraq-war
united-states
islam
|
Christopher Hitchens |