- Hardcover: 671 pages
- Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (9 Jun 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0700710027
- ISBN-13: 978-0700710027
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16.2 x 4.8 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,978,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
'Ayn al-Qudat is one of the great multi-dimensional geniuses of Islamic intellectual history and has even been described as the true father of deconstructionism, yet he remains little known and even less understood in the English speaking world. Hamid Dabashi has filled this gap with a compelling and sophisticated analysis of this seminal 12th century writer and thinker. Prof. Dabashi frees 'Ayn al-Qudat from the static categorizations of mystic, philosopher, theologian, poet or social critic and allows the dynamism and subversive thrust of his life and intellect to emerge. Untimely thoughts provides a clearly written critical introduction to the intellectual, literary, religious and philosophical struggles of the time as expressed by one of Islam's greatest and most radical writers.
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First Sentence
In one of the few commentaries that Orientalist scholars have written on 'Ayn al-Qudat al-Hamadhani, this is how he is introduced: The most famous victim of outraged orthodoxy was al-Hallaj, 'martyr-mystic of Islam' as he was called by the late Louis Massignon.... Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
In one of the few commentaries that Orientalist scholars have written on 'Ayn al-Qudat al-Hamadhani, this is how he is introduced: The most famous victim of outraged orthodoxy was al-Hallaj, 'martyr-mystic of Islam' as he was called by the late Louis Massignon.... Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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4 reviews
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful
The Theoretical Illiteracy of Our Modern Condition
14 Dec 2000
Format:Hardcover
It is genuinely tragic that such comments as that above are even written, as they reflect the widespread theoretical illiteracy that is the plague of our modern condition. For certain, what our self-identified Japanese reader does not realize is that Dabashi's Truth and Narrative is a work of true brilliance. Moreover, the chapter on Method to which he refers is of absolute necessity within the trajectory of Dabashi's broader intellectual project, arguing precisely against the hegemonic imposition of a Western-centric theoretical apparatus upon the literary and philosophical production of the "non-West". And so, I would urge the above reader to take another look at the introduction of this amazing text in the hopes that this time he may actually understand it. And as for your stupidly self-congratulatory remark about the straightforward nature of Japanese writing, one need only look at such figures as Karatani and Sakai to realize that there is as much critical discussion via theoretical abstraction in that geographical context as anywhere else. Hence, in the future, it would be much appreciated were you not to throw around such grandiose accusations as that of academic fascism when one is ignorant of the meaning of such concepts. Thus, in the end, I only hope that the theoretical illiteracy of one reader has not induced others to refrain from reading Dabashi's tour de force. It is certainly worthy of any true thinker's attention and will undoubtedly inspire you to reconceptualize the framework through which you perceive foreign cultures.
3 of 7 people found the following review helpful
an unreadable mess
15 May 2006
Format:Hardcover
I am surprised to learn that Prof. Dabashi collaborated with the late, great Edward Said on a forthcoming book, as the present volume is an insult to the thoughtful, meticulous scholarship of Said. Errors in typography, grammar, fact (dates!), as well as a ridiculously repetitive, condescending tone make this the worst work in Iranian/Persianate studies in over a decade. It is less a consideration of the penetrating philosophy of 'Ayn al-Qudat than it is a study of Dabashi's anger, insecurity/arrogance and need for aggressive histrionics. Perhaps it is of best use to students of psychology; for everyone else, it is an enormous (nearly 700 pages) waste of time.
4 of 9 people found the following review helpful
The Theoretical Illiteracy of Our Modern Condition
14 Dec 2000
Format:Hardcover
It is genuinely tragic that such comments as that above are even written, as they reflect the widespread theoretical illiteracy that is the plague of our modern condition. For certain, what our self-identified Japanese reader does not realize is that Dabashi's Truth and Narrative is a work of true brilliance. Moreover, the chapter on Method to which he refers is of absolute necessity within the trajectory of Dabashi's broader intellectual project, arguing precisely against the hegemonic imposition of a Western-centric theoretical apparatus upon the literary and philosophical production of the "non-West". And so, I would urge the above reader to take another look at the introduction of this amazing text in the hopes that this time he may actually understand it. And as for your stupidly self-congratulatory remark about the straightforward nature of Japanese writing, one need only look at such figures as Karatani and Sakai to realize that there is as much critical discussion via theoretical abstraction in that geographical context as anywhere else. Hence, in the future, it would be much appreciated were you not to throw around such grandiose accusations as that of academic fascism when one is ignorant of the meaning of such concepts. Thus, in the end, I only hope that the theoretical illiteracy of one reader has not induced others to refrain from reading Dabashi's tour de force. It is certainly worthy of any true thinker's attention and will undoubtedly inspire you to reconceptualize the framework through which you perceive foreign cultures.
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