The Role and Responsibility of Intellectuals: An Analysis
By Milan Afanta
Intellectual ability is entirely distinct from earning a B.A. degree, completing a Ph.D., or obtaining any such title referred to as education. Intellectual ability is something different. It emerges only after one steps out of the university and becomes a citizen of society. – Edward Said
The most significant element hidden within the human psyche is called intellect. While external beauty holds some importance in human life, it cannot be denied that inner beauty (intellect) plays a far greater role. Through intellect, a person paves the way for fulfilling their duties. A person endowed with such intellect is generally referred to as an intellectual.
When discussing who qualifies as an intellectual, it is fitting to cite the views of French scholar Julien Benda and Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci. In his renowned work The Treason of the Intellectuals (translated by Richard Aldington, 1928, reprint, New York, Norton, 1969), Julien Benda presents a captivating and compelling portrait of intellectuals. He considers intellectuals to be a small group of highly talented individuals, morally upright, and dedicated to shaping human consciousness through philosophical insight. Similarly, Antonio Gramsci asserts that anyone engaged in the production and dissemination of knowledge in any field can be considered an intellectual. In essence, an intellectual is a representative figure in society with a distinct public role, capable of conveying specific messages, perspectives, attitudes, philosophies, or ideas, and effectively representing and articulating the aspirations of a particular community.
The Role of Intellectuals
Intellectuals play a significant role in human life. They are instrumental in driving societal transformation. Their role involves dismantling negative aspects of society and promoting positive ones. Edward Said articulates the role of intellectuals as follows: “There are many prevailing ideas in the world. People say, ‘This is how we work, this is the status quo, and you must follow this path.’ However, for an intellectual, their role is to question the status quo, challenge authority, dig deeper into the sources of news and official reports, and strive to go beyond the surface of what is presented as knowledge and truth.”
In social life and transformation, every class has its own intellectual representatives. Today’s society is broadly divided into progressive and democratic camps. Some intellectuals align with Marxist ideologies, while others are associated with democratic principles. Additionally, there are independent intellectuals in our society. Marxists firmly believe that intellectuals play a crucial role in revolutionary movements and the radical transformation of society, valuing revolutionary intellectuals from the intellectual community highly. On the role of intellectuals in revolutions, Mao Zedong succinctly stated, “Without the participation of intellectuals, a revolution cannot achieve victory.” This belief also applies to democratic movements. Intellectuals are equally vital in ensuring the smooth functioning of democratic systems. In today’s world, where people revel in the shade of so-called democracy, it is due to the intellectual vigor and activism of democracy-loving intellectuals that democracy has successfully progressed. All advocates of democracy recognize this, and intellectuals have played, and must continue to play, a significant role in eradicating societal ills and making society prosperous and developed.
The Responsibility of Intellectuals
The responsibilities and duties that intellectuals must uphold in human society are termed the responsibilities of intellectuals. As Edward Said notes, “Every field in the world produces its own intellectuals, and the creation of intellectuals arises from intense passion, discussion, and debate. In the modern history of the world, no major revolution or revolutionary movement has occurred without intellectuals, nor has any democratic movement been possible without them. Intellectuals have been the parents, and undoubtedly the sons, daughters, nephews, and nieces of movements.” (Representations of the Intellectual, Vintage Books, New York, 1996, pp. 10–11). This clearly indicates that intellectuals bear a primary responsibility in ensuring the success of any movement worldwide.
The responsibility of intellectuals lies in overcoming their own laziness, instability, and incompetence to facilitate and advance significant and creative societal endeavors. Today’s world is often swayed by wealth and superficiality, which has led to the undervaluation of intellectual individuals. Therefore, it is the duty of intellectuals to eradicate societal vices through the demonstration of their intellect and to foster a just society. Intellectuals must fearlessly step forward to make households, communities, nations, and the world capable and resilient. Safeguarding the most successful system in the world—a people-centered system, democratic republic—is also a core responsibility of intellectuals.
Thus, the role and responsibility of intellectuals can be analyzed in this manner. Thank you.
