I'm glad i go to school. Even when it feels like an insurmountable mess of work and extraneous odds and ends, i can be comforted knowing that an educated person is always more valuable than a complete idiot (the likes of Justin Bieber notwithstanding). We're lucky to live in an age of near-universal knowledge. It's easier than it's ever been to acquire any information.
During the time of Leo Africanus, though, knowledge and education was not such a universal, expected thing. The value of an education was a lot greater back then, and in desperate cases could even save you life, as demonstrated through not only Leo Africanus, but Pamuk's The White Castle. In both works, the protagonists are saved from the horrors of imprisonment through what they knew and could teach. In both cases, the protagonists are saved through their relationships with deity who recognize their education's value."A man of art and learning is always welcome among Us, not as a servant but as a protege." (Pope Leo X, pg. 292)
At this i'm somewhat perplexed. Everything I've been led to believe about the church and science has led me to the conclusion that they're non-compatible. The pursuit of scientific knowledge, be it medicine or logical problem solving, suggests looking for answers beyond what faith tells. That said, faith and learning seem naturally opposed. Today's incarnation of the Church only reinforces that idea, with their somewhat backwards ideas on the length of human history and what lies beyond.
And yet, i'm not the only one who sees this divide. In Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree, as the Christians bring the inquisition and begin to tear the Muslims out of Spain, Ximenes de Cisneros, instrument of the Church, demands a book burning of all Islamic literature.
I like your point about the Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree. I think you are right in bringing it up on this point. It is clear that in that novel the Christians believe that all Muslims should be wiped out including all of their contributions to knowledge and society. However, in Leo Africanus, we see that the Christian hierarchy is much more open to the ideas that a foreigner can bring to them. I think it shows how the author's are trying to portray each culture. In Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree we see an author who is clearly trying to portray the Christians as the bad guys, and in Leo Africanus, we see both religions as fairly neutral, except in the beginning when the Christians take Grenada.
ReplyDeleteAn education is essentially the process of exchanging, analyzing, and absorbing information. It's no wonder then why it can be such a valuable asset and controversial as well. As you stated, in Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree Cisneros burns many of the Islamic texts as part of his conquering of their territories and way of life. Since their beliefs pose a threat to the Church's pervasive influence. In modern times, education has lost some it's value for these reasons. Knowledge was not as ubiquitous and easily accessible as it is today with the internet, cell phones, etc. Education is still a valuable institution, it's just no longer as exclusive as it was previously.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this i immediately think about the cliché "knowledge is power." I feel that each religion in these cases see the value of knowledge - knowledge allows people to place themselves in the world, it gives them value to know where they stand. I don't know if you've ever read David Walker's "Appeal," but he basically rallies recently freed African Americans to educate themselves, because American Christians were making sure they did not have access to learning material. This resulted in African American ignorance and their place in the world - Walker argued that this devalued the race, ultimately putting them in a lower status. But what if you were knowledgable? Knowledge then allowed the characters in Leo Africanus, for example, to gain a greater global perspective. I see your perplexed thoughts about science and the church opposition. It would weaken the church to support something tat disagrees with their traditions, even if the science is based on evidence.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting idea, that the church doesn't relate to knowledge. Even though the idea of knowledge is power is very prevalent in your response think about how the church has a lot of influence in the entire world. This made me think of a Game of Thrones episode where one man says "Knowledge is power" to the queen, she then commands her guards to cut off his head but then stops them, her response is "Power is Power". This is a very interesting idea and I like that you brought this up.
ReplyDelete