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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group

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To: JohnM who wrote (34081)	7/10/2002 12:22:46 PM
From: Nadine Carroll	Read Replies (1) of 281500

What Said and Lewis have said to one another, at least what I've read of it is pretty standard fare for a certain kind of hotheaded academic debate. I don't like it; don't engage in it; but it strikes me as within the bounds. What I think steps outside the bounds are comments that put the other in the less than human category. Lots of ways to do that; none nice. So let me get this straight. Reviewing the work of a scholar with whom you disagree, it is permissible to indulge in a pure ad hominem attack rather than address his points (Said's review contained scarcely a speck of information about what Lewis actually said), just so long as you don't actually use the word "despicable"? Terms like "unqualified", "patronising", "no first-hand experience", those terms are okay. Just avoid any actual words that would (to the sensitive) seem to put your opponent in the "less than human" catagory. Use nice words to call him a hack and an idiot. Just trying to get the parameters of what is "mature" and "in-bounds" with you. On a similar subject, Ephraim Karsh replies to his critics. I particularly liked his description of all the harsh reviews his new book received before it was published. But then, if ad hominem attacks are "in bounds", where's the problem? The Unbearable Lightness of My Critics by Efraim Karsh meforum.org On a similar note, Martin Kramer follows up his Ivory Towers in the Sand book with a note on all the new funding heading to even the most politicized of ME Studies departments. He does give Said his due, saying that Said keeps his politics out of the classroom -- but this cannot be said of Said's many followers. Arabic Panic by Martin Kramer meforum.org

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