Arab Culture
A few days ago I quoted conservatives from the 1950s who argued that Communists don’t think the way we do but they are immersed in a completely alien mindset antithetical to the liberal order that we take for granted. This guy explains how those in the Arab/Islamic world don't think the way we do and we in the West can't come to grips with that fact. If his observations come as a surprise, I recommend reading The Arab Mind.
posted by Jason Pappas at 8:19 PM
15 Comments:
Jason notes how communists and "those in the Arab/Islamic world don't think the way we do and we in the West can't come to grips with that fact."
Let us note that there are two modes of thought, reasoning and rationalization. When one reasons, he tries to ascertain what is true; when one rationalizes, he tries to ensure that what he wants to believe is true.
Reasoning and rationalization are antithetic, deriving from different aspirations. The former attempts to know what is, and what ought to be; the latter attempts to gratify the passions.
Since this has been apparent for millenia, why can't the West come to grips with that fact? It is our Social Democratic view that maintains the pretense of man's goodness, whereby all differences can be settled by dialogue, negotiations, and compromise. Thus we ourselves often subordinate our reason for our rationalizations.
Wrong again Weingarten. There are two moral codes, one male, the other female. The Arab (and that of most less developed [read uncivilized] societies) code is aggressive and male and emphasizes the virtue of COURAGE. The Western [civilized] moral code is passive and female (ie - Don't hit 1st) and emphasizes the virtue of TEMPERENCE.
It's the difference between a "leaders" code and responsibilities (shepherd), and that of a follower (sheep). The shepherd often aggressively "eats" a sheep. Sheep are not cannables.
They ALL reason and rationalize, from within and without the "passions", only one favors action, the other talk. Both "bend" the straight arrows of logic, only one is made of silver, and the other gold (bent by deliberate fictions)
Christianity, ducky. "Anti-Christ".
The Greeks. Their city's "patron saint" was Athena. But a little more specifically, Pallas Athena. XY civilization. Yoe lefties lean XX.
All right! A debate between Ducky and Farmer John! The Battle of the Geniuses! Give these two intellectual giants their own little space on the blog to slug it out, Jason. Call it "Logic Takes a Holiday." The rest of us can go on with serious discussions, then drop in on them for time to time for some comedy relief.
Well you can hardly expect us to argue at your level bilwick. I'm sure neither ducky nor I would ever be able to converse without shifting our feet once and a while.
...and just tell me when you want me to shut-up jason, and I'll ablige.
Agreement isn’t required but I’d prefer a short comment that deals with the article with perhaps links to other locations for long expositions.
>>
Good site for Counter-Terrorism news and analysis:
http://www.ictconference.org/
Farmer John, we in the West aren't "aggressive" nor emphasize "courage" ?
I have some friends who've fought in Bosnia and Afghanistan. I also have family (and friends of family) who used to sneak down from the Greek mountains late at night during WWII in order to quietly slit the throats of Nazi soldiers.
Would you mind tellin them all about your theories? (give me a chance to make some popcorn before the show though...)
FreeCyprus:
I also have family (and friends of family) who used to sneak down from the Greek mountains late at night during WWII in order to quietly slit the throats of Nazi soldiers.
My, my! Don't you have interesting friends! Why are my friends so boring by comparison, I wonder?
I see that Ducky can't help being insulting - AGAIN! When are you going to learn the gentle art of persuasion?
Jason, The Arab Mind is an excellent book, written by an authority on the subject. You and I know that; but Ducky will never concede a point, will he?
free,
Females talk-talk-talk. Lets talk out our differences. Virtue - Temperence
Men are all action. Shoot them all, let G_d sort 'em out. Laconic. Spartan. Virtue - Courage
Now which approach do you think the West favors? Which, Islam? Then either agree with me, or tell me I'm wrong.
...as for my Arab "reasoning" arguments, you'll have to go over to the Autonomist if you want to see those. I posted them here on previous threads, but you'd probably need a priest from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi to channel my Pythian priestess in drag imitation for you. mr. ducky could. Jason, I doubt.
Agree with weingarten. Our problems stem from when we rationalise their behaviour to our own point of view. If you are a Leftist you see them as victims of exploitation rising out of destructive Rightist action. If you are a Rightist you may see them as a culture empowered by a sense of moral equivalence granted by the Left. They are not Left or Right, they are something else with no link to Western philosophy.
Jason,
The Arab Mind is an invaluable resource. As I've mentioned before, I bought my own copy after exploring a library copy. Had to have it in my private library!
Thank you Jason for that wonderful recommendation! Steve's article about the Arab mindset was easily the best I've ever read.
Morgan
Let me comment about freecyprus' comment. I'm a veteran and my father and uncles fought in three wars starting with WWII. So I'm not squeemish in the least about combat. Still, your story about family and friends "quietly slitting the throats" of Nazis was frankly jolting. It seemed to come straight from the tradition of the Arab Assassins.
And I'm glad they did it!
Morgan
Post a Comment
<< Home