Critique of Heritage

The “Critique of Heritage” is the third publication of a series titled “Arabs and Modernity”, of which two books have been published so far. It examines the literature of dozens of publications and studies which have been written more than a hundred and ten years ago on the subject matter of heritage and Islamic studies in the scope of Arab culture. It includes a rich and complex body of literature which extends from Farah Antoun’s publication on the philosophy of Ibn Rushd, to writings of modern day times.

Critical heritage studies and the critique of reason are among the main philosophical activities that dominated the period of the modern era. Perhaps critical heritage studies are the most important ones as they inform us on the rate and capacity of detachment from the old system and the establishment of a new one. As such, critical heritage studies are the mirror through which the characteristics and structures of modernity are reflected. It was an essential task to put this book together in order to acquire new knowledge about the many facets of modernity in Arab philosophical thought.