JULIEN BENDA Meaning and
Definition
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Julien Benda was a French philosopher, novelist, and essayist who lived from 1867 to 1956. He is best known for his critique of the intellectual and moral errors of his time, which he articulated in his renowned work "The Treason of the Intellectuals" (La Trahison des Clercs).
Benda argued that intellectuals had abandoned their lofty moral duty of defending universal truth and values in favor of pursuing personal or political interests. He believed that intellectuals had become increasingly motivated by egotism and the desire for power, leading them to betray their mission to advocate for objective truths and the pursuit of knowledge. Benda's criticism particularly focused on the intellectuals who supported nationalism and political dogmas, stating that they were veering away from their true role as defenders of universal human values.
In "The Treason of the Intellectuals," Benda advocated for a return to intellectual integrity, where intellectuals would detach themselves from worldly affairs and pursue knowledge and truth for their own sake. He argued that intellectual life should be dedicated to the disinterested pursuit of wisdom, devoid of personal biases and partisan interests. For Benda, the task of intellectuals was not to engage in political activism or advocacy but to remain faithful to the ideals of truth and reason, in order to provide guidance for society.
Benda's critique of intellectuals and his call for their renewal and commitment to truth continues to be debated and discussed, making him an important figure in the history of Western intellectual and moral thought.
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