Dangerous Knowledge: Orientalism and Its Discontents by Robert Irwin -Hardcover
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In Dangerous Knowledge: Orientalism and Its Discontents, Robert Irwin offers an alternate perspective on the intellectual tradition of Orientalism, an area of study that has often been critiqued for its perceived association with European imperialism. The book challenges the narrative put forth by Edward Said in his influential work Orientalism, which condemned Oriental studies for fostering Western dominance and propagating racist views about Eastern peoples, especially Arabs. Irwin, a British historian known for works like The Alhambra, counters Said's argument by defending Orientalism as a valuable and legitimate academic discipline. He contends that scholars in this field, particularly those studying Islamic culture, played an essential role in introducing the Islamic world to Western audiences, providing profound insights into the social, religious, and cultural practices of the Middle East and Asia.
Irwin traces the history of Orientalism from its early beginnings in ancient Greece, through the Middle Ages, and culminating in its flourishing during the 18th and 19th centuries. He highlights the lives and contributions of key figures in the field—scholars and intellectuals who helped shape Western understanding of Islam and Asia. These individuals were often biblical critics with a deep knowledge of Hebrew, which allowed them to delve into Arabic texts, including the Quran. In the 17th century, translators known as dragomans played a critical role in advancing the study of Islam by translating key works in Turkish, Arabic, and Persian, thus making these texts accessible to a wider Western audience.
Irwin's work offers a sweeping intellectual history of the field, showcasing a time when scholars and polymaths ventured into unfamiliar territories, bringing back valuable knowledge that broadened Western intellectual horizons. This book provides a nuanced examination of Orientalism, celebrating its intellectual legacy and countering the oversimplified and often hostile critiques levied against it, especially those in the wake of Said’s critique. Through Irwin's lens, Orientalism is seen not as an instrument of imperial oppression, but as a complex, multifaceted field that contributed significantly to the West’s understanding of Eastern cultures.
