Where Have All the Intellectuals Gone?: Confronting 21st Century Philistinism [Paperback]

Frank Furedi (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0826490964 | ISBN-13: 978-0826490964 | Publication Date: December 9, 2006 | Edition: 2nd Edition

In this urgent and passionate book, Frank Furedi explains the essential contribution of intellectuals both to culture and to democracy - and why we need to recreate a public sphere in which intellectuals and the general public can talk to each other again. >

Editorial Reviews

Review

Title mention in article by Frank Furedi in the Guardian Unlimited (Web) 24/10/2006

(The Guardian )

Title mention in extract from a speech given by Frank Furedi at the Cheltenham Festival of Music ~ Music Teacher, 01/11/2006

About the Author

Frank Furedi is Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent at Canterbury. He is the author of numerous books including Culture of Fear, Invitation to Terror and Paranoid Parenting, all published by Continuum.

Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: Continuum; 2nd Edition edition (December 9, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826490964
• ISBN-13: 978-0826490964
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,598,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wake Up Call for Bright People Everywhere, October 9, 2005

By 

Tanya Abramovitch "The Library Girl" (Montreal, QC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Where Have All the Intellectuals Gone? Confronting 21st Century Philistinism (Hardcover)

I ordered two copies of this book the minute I heard of it: one for myself, and one for the public library where I select the non-fiction titles. If I could afford it, I'd sent one to every intelligent person I know, for not only is Furedi dead-on in his assessments of the impoverished state of intellectual life today, his plea resonates with those who should be contributing to public knowledge and debate, but don't.

After ripping through this short but poignant volume, I felt giddy with inspiration, as did every single other person I suggested this book to. If the author sought to fill those empty cafe chairs, he has succeeded brilliantly.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Topic (although a bit dry at times)., July 13, 2006

By 

Brent Fulgham (Ventura, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Where Have All the Intellectuals Gone? Confronting 21st Century Philistinism (Hardcover)

Frank Furedi's book is a wake up call to intellectuals, and a discussion of the demise of intellectual activities in modern society. His observation that cultural relativism and fear of elitism has reaped a harvest of "I'm OK, you're OK" ratings systems that are ultimately meaningless.

Rather than coddle the masses, treating them as brainless chattle, we should reinvigorate the reach for greatness so that society as a whole can benefit. If we attempt to protect everyone from feelings of inadequacy, we end up rearing generations of lackluster performers.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Necessary Theory for Explanation Already Exists, June 25, 2010

By 

L. Kurt Engelhart "Social critic" (Yountville, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Where Have All the Intellectuals Gone?: Confronting 21st Century Philistinism (Paperback)

A few authors have had an effect on the public mind that far outweighs their formal recognition. One of these is Karl Marx; another relevant here is Thorstein Veblen. Veblen's Theory of the Leisure Class is an almost perfect explanation for the very valid observations that Furedi describes about the demise of intellectuality. Whether or not you approve of Veblen's conclusions, you can see his theory at work in Furedi's description of the condescension the privileged currently show for the "common people." While Furedi may be accurate in his characterization of the privileged as simply trying to maintain their status, Veblen shows that this is their only recourse. The privileged did not make this world, nor can the current holders of that status be held completely responsible for existing conditions. Veblen shows how it all came about, whether we like it or not. To a certain extent, Furedi's critics are correct in accusing him of wannabe elitism.

Both of these authors offer us an alternative: either we can keep it like it is, or we can change it. Unfortunately, changing it may be as long a project as that of getting us where we are.