William Dalrymple opposing "superiority of Western values"

*Arguing against the motion in this debate about Western values, William Dalrymple points out that the concept of 'Western' values is in some way flawed, as they are based on Judeo-Christian ideals, which are not Western at all. The first law codes, he notes, were laid down in Iraq, and the concept of reason originated with Arabic philosophers. The West also perpetrated such historical events as the Spanish Inquisition, and western ideals such as Marxism, Fascism, and Nazism, have caused millions of deaths. By asserting 'western' values, he argues, we are cherry-picking our favourite values and claiming them as our own.*
http://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/we-should-not-be-reluctant-to-asser...



A lesson in humility for the smug West
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/artic...


I am not afraid to say the West's values are better
http://www.spectator.co.uk/essays/all/222546/i-am-not-afraid-to-say-the-wests...


The one who really gave himself away was the odious and stupid and remarkably ill-informed William Dalrymple. Akbar was splendid, when he became syncretistic, when he ended the Jizyah, when he essentially stopped being a Muslim in every important way. The British historian V. A. West, in his "History of India," notes that Akbar demanded that those in his inner circle had to abjure the Qur'an -- not exactly the sign of a Muslim. So his entire speech was all about Akbar, and he apparently did not know that Akbar, the Akbar he praised, is remembered today fondly by Hindus and despised by Muslims.
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2007/10/fitzgerald-first-thoughts-on-the-debate-we-...

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