The function of the intellectual:

Edward Said, the Palestinian and orientalist thinker demonstrates in his book “The Representation of Intellectuals” his conception of intellectuals. He contends that “There has been no major revolution in modern history without intellectuals; conversely there has been no major counter revolutionary movement without intellectuals” (Said, 11-12). In other words, intellectuals play a very significant role in leading their societies towards prosperity, they are people practicing different occupations and are credited with the right to engage, negotiate and speak about certain issues and matters, in order to address their people’s minds and raise their consciousness. My choice of El-jaberi, as an exemplary representing the role of intellectual, for my book, is dictated by my desire to explore his philosophies in general and his role as an intellectual in particular. I will argue that El-jaberi, tries to incorporate modern concepts into Arab thought, and also diagnoses the very possible ways to achieve the transition to democracy in the Arab world.