Al-Abaqi, Hassan. “Orientalism in the Thought of Mohammed Arkoun: Between a Sense of Indebtedness and the Desire to Overcome,” Year 14, Issue 55 (Winter 1430 AH/ 2009 CE), Pp. 47-74.

Abstract

Hassan al-Abaqi’s article is a study of Mohammed Arkoun's writings on Orientalism and Orientalists, which were unique and unparalleled in the sense of both identifying certain merits of Orientalist writings while also being critical of them. It holds that Arkoun’s writings were provocative in calling for a break with the Orientalist methodologies adopted in the study of Arab and Islamic tradition, while simultaneously paying  attention to the results deduced from such methodologies in formulating further research studies. The article follows an inductive methodology for nearly all of Arkoun's writings on Orientalism and Orientalists, and examines the writings to answer the following questions: To what extent can we talk about Arkoun's sense of indebtedness to what has been produced by the pioneers of Orientalist thought?  What is the background of his complaint against Orientalists? In what areas is he receptive of Orientalist thought? The article discusses this within the following themes: Arkoun's indebtedness to Orientalist thought; and Arkoun and Orientalism, a reading into the backdrop of his reproach and reasons for his complaints against Orientalists.