4 Quotes by Abdallah Laroui

While recognising the possibilities offered by the reformulation of classical Arab culture in the light of contemporary theoritical trends, while applauding the many efforts being made in this direction, and while feeling as much pride in this culture as any other Arab intellectual, it seems to m important nevertheless to retain the problem of “cultural retardation” at the centre of our thinking

The necessity for rational critique was increasingly felt in the tenth century, when the idea of a double truth became widespread: one for internal use and the other to be upheld outside the group; the old critical method was no longer sufficient, because it was known that a witness could lie.

While recognising the possibilities offered by the reformulation of classical Arab culture in the light of contemporary theoritical trends, while applauding the many efforts being made in this direction, and while feeling as much pride in this culture as any other Arab intellectual, it seems to m important nevertheless to retain the problem of “cultural retardation” at the centre of our thinking.

Arab culture both in its classical expression and in the most influential aspect of its present-day expression is opposed in almost every particular to liberal culture.