Barbarians in Arab Eyes
the other difference – me and the other – we and the other
necessary difference
the other making difference what makes different (criteria) examples
the other making difference the Arabic scholars • a learned approach • a scientific approach Greeks, Romans, Persians, Jews
the other making difference the Arabic scholars • different kind of people – white – mixed – black
• different parts of the world
the other making difference the Arabic scholars • the seven parts of the world (aqalim) • the three basic zones – great heat – temprate – great cold
the other making difference the Arabic scholars the three basic zones produce different people – different temperaments – different combinations of » four elements and their four primary qualities hot / humid, cold / humid, hot / dry, cold / dry
» four humours blood, phlegm, bile, black bile
the other making difference the Arabic scholars difference of people, discrimination of people negroes (Africans), ugly (nose, nostrils, lips, eyes) effects of the great heat »
think slow
»
behave erratic
»
sexually prodigious
»
disposed to dance
the other making difference the Arabic scholars difference of cultures –
eat uncooked food (cannibals)
–
live in caves and forests
–
went about naked, at best, leaves, animal skins
–
copulate publicly on all fours
the other making difference the Arabic scholars difference of cultures – no law (state) – no learning (arts, sciences) – no religion (books, prophets)
the other making difference the Arabic scholars • difference of people • difference of cultures – non-civilized in great heat – non-civilized in great cold
– civilized in tempered zone
the other making difference the Arabic scholars consequences slavery, slave-trade and the Africans
the other making difference the Arabic scholars consequences – Muslim slave-trade and the Africans – Christian slave-trade and the Africans
the other making difference the Arabic scholars differences – different people – different cultures religion, religious difference
The religious other
the religious other making religious difference differences – different people – different cultures aspect: religion, religious difference
the religious other making religious difference • religious differences • other differences – human question / human answer – human question / non-human answer
the religious other making religious difference religious differences remain: questions without answers