CRISIS OF ENLIGHTENMENT AND THE SCARE OF DIFFERENCE
CRISIS OF ENLIGHTENMENT AND THE SCARE OF DIFFERENCE

Author(s): Lev Kreft
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Language and Literature Studies
Published by: Foruma za etničke odnose
Keywords: Intellectual Responsibility; Extremism; Tradition; Xenophobia; Anti-Semitism
Summary/Abstract: Since the beginning of the crisis in what is now the former Yugoslavian area, sc has been talking about the failed role of intellectuals, as well as their (co)responsibility for the resulting situation. As a contribution to the discussion, I explain the following assumptions: 1. Twentieth-century intellectuals are infected with "guilt of conscience". 2. Contemporary extremisms start from their traditional foundations, but they find a rational foundation in the results of enlightened criticism of education. 3. Contemporary extremisms claim that differences are universal, insurmountable and indestructible, and that is why they must not come into contact with each other. 4. Those who implemented the construction of the idea of ​​progress and the idea of ​​universal humanity are not the cause of contemporary extremism. 5. In Slovenia, tradition offers fertile ground for the creation of modern extremism. A certain type of extremism gives something like the air we breathe, as evidenced by at least two characteristics: traditional anti-Semitism that persisted despite the absence of Jews, and modern chauvinism and xenophobia as the first expressions of social self-awareness among the generation in the period of socialization.

• Details
• Contents