Said’s critique of Orientalism implicitly reinforced the very modernism it attacked

Evidence

But to modify MacIntyre’s theory of tradition does not necessarily mean that it must be reinterpreted in light of the Saidian theory of power as adapted from Foucault. As I have shown, Said’s work on Orientalism remained anchored and defined by a series of premises and assumptions that reinforce the very modernist and liberal positions that gave rise to Orientalism in the first place. — Wael Hallaq, Restating Orientalism, 476 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Said’s Orientalism replaced Marxism with Foucauldian Discourse Theory — Aijaz Ahmad, In Theory: Classes, Nations, Literatures, 723; Said’s later work privileges Western-based writers while raging against non-Western societies — Aijaz Ahmad, In Theory: Classes, Nations, Literatures, 848; Said’s Orientalism has its true origins in Christian defensive reactions, not colonialism (+9 more)

Broader Connections

• Said’s critique of Orientalism relies on the same modernist assumptions that produced it #expands (0.95) — Wael Hallaq, Restating Orientalism, 476