Barbarians

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