Islam and the West: Critical Perspectives on Modernity (Logos: Perspectives on Modern Society and Culture)

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11th the topic of Islam's political, cultural, religious, and spiritual tendencies and beliefs has been thrust into the spotlight. However, most discussions concerning Islam's relation to the West tend to simplify and distort the intricate nature of the problem. The essays in __Islam and the West__ approach the interactions of Islam, the West, and modernity through overlapping social, historical, economic, cultural, and philosophical layers. Viewed through this complex prism of analysis, the full dimensions of the relationship become clear. The result is a deeper understanding of the nature of modernity and how other societies can relate to each other in an increasingly complex, globalizing world. The Essays In This Volume Approach The Interactions Of Islam, The West And Modernity Through Overlapping Social, Historical, Economic, Cultural, And Philosophical Layers. Muslims And The West : A Paradigm For Polarization / Haroun Er-rashid -- Islam, Modernity, And The Dialectic Of Dogmatism / Michael J. Thompson -- The Deficiency Of Democracy In The Islamic World / Ömer Çaha -- The Roots Of Terror / Lauren Langman And Douglas Morris -- Europe In The Mirror Of The Contemporary Middle East : Aspects Of Modern European History Reconsidered / Sandra Halperin -- Deconstructing Arab-islamic History : A Discussion Of Its Evolutionary Dynamics / Wadood Hamad -- Critical Theory And The Islamic Encounter With Modernity / Farzin Vahdat -- Second Letter On Algeria / Alexis De Tocqueville -- A Wild Goose Chase : To Cope, Must Islam Westernize? / Nissim Rejwan. Edited By Michael J. Thompson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.