Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.21464/fi36207

Intellectual Between Fanaticism and Cynism

Ivan Šarčević ; Franjevačka teologija, Aleja Bosne Srebrene 111, BA–71101 Sarajevo

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide an answer to the question of who are intellectuals and how much are they needed to society and the Church? Countless intellectuals, among them also theologians, played a role in creating and sustaining destructive regimes of contemporary ideologies, fanatical religious movements and cynical politics. In former socialist countries, active humanists, the main carriers of freedom, dissidents and sufferers, were often intellectuals. In postsocialist societies and countries, especially in Southeastern Europe, struck by war and nationalism, and overwhelmed with triviality of consumer’s society, intellectuals/theologians are, next to politicians, the strongest barriers against humanization of society: they exclude morals from politics, they reject self­criticsm, civil bravery and prophetic dimension of faith.

Keywords

intellectual; theologian; fanaticism; cynism; responsibility; the name of God; social engagement; (self)criticism; enlightenment

Hrčak ID:

173356

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/173356

Publication date:

27.9.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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