Representations of the Intellectual

Representations of the Intellectual by Edward W. Said presents the Reith Lectures delivered by the Palestinian-American scholar for the BBC in 1993 — a series of reflections on what the public intellectual is, what they owe to society, and what pressures and temptations they face. Said argues that the intellectual’s primary obligation is to speak truth to power — to represent the marginalised, challenge comfortable consensus, and refuse the accommodation with power that comes from careerism, nationalism, or institutional affiliation. Written with characteristic clarity and passion, these lectures draw on examples from across the history of ideas to make a compelling case for a form of intellectual life that is simultaneously principled and engaged. Published by Vintage, this is essential for anyone interested in the relationship between ideas and power.