nineteenth-century Orientalism

The specific form of Orientalism dominant in the nineteenth century, which replaced earlier Enlightenment universalism with a hierarchical view of civilizations. It essentialized Islam and Muslim peoples as monolithic, fixed, and intrinsically inferior, grew out of comparative philology, and generated professional terminology that dominated Western discourse on the Orient during the era of colonial expansion. This usage reflects Edward Said’s analysis of Orientalism as a discourse intertwined with imperial power.

Claims that use this term

• Nineteenth-century Orientalism traded Enlightenment universalism for a hierarchy of civilizations.
• Nineteenth-century Orientalism portrayed Islam as a monolithic, fixed, inferior essence.
• Nineteenth-century Orientalism essentialized Muslims as intrinsically inferior during colonial expansion.
• Nineteenth-century Orientalism was born from comparative philology
• Nineteenth-century Orientalism created a professional terminology that dominated all discourse on the Orient
• Nineteenth-century Orientalism was amateur, aristocratic, and unrefereed