Epiritu Opposisi*

Abstract

If you hold an opinion that happens to be wrong, Ziauddin Sardar will probably be the first person to relieve you of that uncertainty. Difference is the life force of democracy and the foundation upon which we can learn and develop our knowledge. The death of debate and discussion coincides with the rise of authoritarianism and totalitarianism. This dismal potential future reality lingers in our times of polarizing ideologies and concern for political correctness overriding society’s ability to be critical. This article explores the intellectual life of Ziauddin Sardar, focusing on his work in Islamic thought and future studies to develop a value that can be taken from the pages of his books and put into action in order to keep our thought critical and focused while also giving a microphone to disadvantaged and minority communities. Ultimately, the value fuels provocation and informed analysis in the pursuit of justice and progress. This value is called espiritu opposisi – the spirit of opposition.

Keywords:

• Democracy
• Islam
• postnormal times
• social justice

Notes

1 These wayward adventures along with many more are recounted in two of Sardar’s biographies (2004). Desperately Seeking Paradise: Journeys of a Skeptical Muslim. London: Granta. and (2018). A Person of Pakistani Origins. London: Hurst.

2 This is in reference to a particularly uncooperative donkey that accompanied Sardar during his own hajj in 1976 as recounted in the introductory chapter “The Lure of Mecca” his book (2014). Mecca: The Sacred City. London: Bloomsbury, xi-xxxviii.

3 Congresswoman Lee retains her seat to this day, changing from representing California’s 9^th to 3^rd Districts following a state redistricting initiative in 2012.

4 The best place to get a good primer of postnormal times theory and methodologies is the anthology edited by Ziauddin Sardar, (2017). The Postnormal Times Reader. London: International Institute of Islamic Thought. The website postnormaltim.es also stays abreast with the latest publications on PNT from Sardar and the Center for Postnormal Policy and Futures Studies.

5 The famed “cogito, ergo sum” or (roughly) “I think, therefore I am” appears in Renee Decartes’ Second Meditation, published for the first time in Latin in 1641, Meditations on first philosophy. There are a variety of translations, but the author is most familiar with David A. Cress’s 1993 translation now in its third edition from Hackett.

6 The postnormality of COVID-19’s pandemic is excellently articulated in the blog (found at postnormaltim.es) turned article by Jones, C., Serra del Pino, J., & Mayo, L. (2021). The Perfect Postnormal Storm: COVID-19 Chronicles. [Special Issue] World Futures Review. 13(2), 71-85. doi.org/10.1177%2F19467567211027345.