Muhammad Abed Al Jabiri & Heritage

Abstract

This study aims at analyzing the works of Al Jabiri on heritage, his vision and methodology. It starts with defining heritage in Arab contemporary thought, and subsequently presents Al Jabiri´s definition of heritage. It analyses this definition with regard to its distinguishing features that sets it apart from the definitions of contemporary Arab thinkers. The study presents in-depth analysis of Al Jabiri´s methodology in tackling heritage, and compares such a methodology with common methodologies that address heritage, particularly that of orientalists and Arab Marxists. Al Jabiri´s criticism of the methodologies of orientalists and Arab Marxists formed the features of his new methodology that embeds a number of contemporary methodological concepts. The study finally presents a critical view of Al Jabiri´s methodology.