Bunyad - A Journal of Urdu Studies, Lahore University of Management Sciences - Lahore

بنیاد (مجّلہ دراساتِ اردو)

Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature
ISSN (print): 2225-6083
ISSN (online): 2709-9687
Abstract

Edward Wadie Said (1935-2003) was one of the twentieth century’s most influential public intellectuals. His work encompasses a variety of disciplines which include literary and cultural criticism, political science, imperialism, colonialism, philosophy, orientalism, philosophy, and music. However, it would not be incorrect to assert that his immense body of work is primarily devoted to tracing empire and imperial intentions. According to him, it is the intellectual’s responsibility to decipher imperial designs meant to uphold hegemony. He believes in Foucauldian Theory which states that knowledge is an imperial instrument used to assert power, that is why intellectuals must be perceptive, incisive, courageous, and vigilant enough to expose imperial designs to the populace. According to him, an intellectual should neither favor impartiality nor should hesitate to take the side of the subjugated. In all his main works, he defined and described the function and role of intellectuals. Somewhere, he identified the intellectuals' wrongdoings to promote imperial agendas and contrived ideas and theories. Elsewhere, he outlined the main characteristics of intellectuals’ functioning. In addition to it, he also proposed the methodology for analyzing a text in order to infer imperial influence. This article examines Said's views on the role, function, and methodology of intellectuals, which span his entire career and encompass his main work.

Author(s):

Akhtar Ali Syed

Principal Clinical Psychologist

Brothers of Charity, Waterford. Ireland

Pakistan

  • akhtaralisyed@gmail.com

Details:

Type: Article
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Language: Urdu
Id: 649492375b5af
Published June 22, 2023
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