The Arab Mind

Abdennur argues that the clash of Western and Arab cultures is partly rooted in the different styles of thinking. In an attempt to understand the Arab culture and its potential, he focuses on underlying epistemological styles rather than on manifest institutional and political behaviour. The author's analysis of products of Arab thinking and his own empirical research provide evidence that the predominant characteristic of the Arab mind is a rational epistemic style. Arab thinking is characterized by a fundamental drive for abstraction that leads to two-dimensionality, ideology, strong affect, radicalism, cognitive space, isolation, and a need to integrate ultimate values with political administration. Arab epistemic orientation has educational, communicational and intellectual implications that present a critical challenge to the current Western culture. The author argues that a state of collapse along the abstract-concrete divide will occur if Arabs lose touch with ideals and abstract thinking. He also identifies conditions that may catalyze a retreat into self-centered utilitarianism, political compromise, and demoralization. "A timely, inspired, and captivating attempt at deciphering the specifics of the Arab Mind...from the pen of a creative instance of the mind under scrutiny - a must-read for those seeking an in-depth understanding of the Arab culture." Claude Lamontagne