Authors :
Sujay Rao Mandavilli
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 8 - August
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3TmGbDi
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/47x86sea
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8217233
Abstract :
We begin this paper by defining the terms
intellectual and intellectualism and then trace the history
of intellectualism from ancient times onwards. We also
present a broad overview of present day schools of
intellectual thought and conclude that all present-day
schools of thought are somewhat outdated for the
present time. We also propose the direction
intellectualism should take in the twenty-first century,
and invite other scholars and researchers to connect the
dots and contribute in a much bigger way. While we
acknowledge that the left and the right have attempted
to redefine themselves at times, and agree that individual
scholars cannot also always be tarred by the same brush,
we believe that a complete metamorphosis in the field in
imperative, and that a new generation of young scholars
must drive the process forward. While left-leaning
intellectuals and other intellectuals from the non-left
have also attempted to evolve and change with the times
(we owe a mountain of gratitude to them for their
endeavours and contributions), we will still argue that
the idea of intellectualism in general needs a reboot.
These are still too many ideological positions taken, and
the present state of affairs must gradually come to an
end. Much of present-day intellectualism is also based on
obsolete paradigms like a blind opposition to
globalization and capitalism. Secondly, we also observe
that the field is driven largely by the pursuit of
individual interests, and more collective thought and
better theorization is required. We also emphasize the
need for building robust intellectualism in developing
countries such that their causes and interests are
advanced.
We begin this paper by defining the terms
intellectual and intellectualism and then trace the history
of intellectualism from ancient times onwards. We also
present a broad overview of present day schools of
intellectual thought and conclude that all present-day
schools of thought are somewhat outdated for the
present time. We also propose the direction
intellectualism should take in the twenty-first century,
and invite other scholars and researchers to connect the
dots and contribute in a much bigger way. While we
acknowledge that the left and the right have attempted
to redefine themselves at times, and agree that individual
scholars cannot also always be tarred by the same brush,
we believe that a complete metamorphosis in the field in
imperative, and that a new generation of young scholars
must drive the process forward. While left-leaning
intellectuals and other intellectuals from the non-left
have also attempted to evolve and change with the times
(we owe a mountain of gratitude to them for their
endeavours and contributions), we will still argue that
the idea of intellectualism in general needs a reboot.
These are still too many ideological positions taken, and
the present state of affairs must gradually come to an
end. Much of present-day intellectualism is also based on
obsolete paradigms like a blind opposition to
globalization and capitalism. Secondly, we also observe
that the field is driven largely by the pursuit of
individual interests, and more collective thought and
better theorization is required. We also emphasize the
need for building robust intellectualism in developing
countries such that their causes and interests are
advanced.
