Kanttekeningen

Pinocchio's broertje: reactie op "de sociologie van de intellectuelen van Gerrit-Bartus Dielissen" van R.H. Gabriëls

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Abstract

Pinoccio’s little brother - This article is an answer to R.H. Gabriels ’G.B. Dielissen’s sociology of intellectuals’, a highly critical reading of our differentiation of the genus of the intellectual in an aristocratic premodern and a democratic modern type of social role. The latter typology of intellectuals is defended here and the critique is countered that the types are much too global, undifferentiated and anachronistic. It is stressed that the types presented are of a composite character and cannot be falsified simply by giving opposite examples relating to separate characteristics of these types. Arguments are advanced against the taboo on cross¬ breeding different theoretical stands (e.g. Parsons and Elias) — a sense of sin that hampers Gabriels’ thinking. It is agreed that the theory of intellectuals we have put forward is a macro one and that a microscopic view of ’intellectuals in action’ is needed to complete this theory. But, contrary to Gabriels, it is not believed that this goal can be attained by exchanging the macro-perspective for an inside-perspective. The so-called ’reflexive turn’ - implying that intellectuals use their cultural capital mainly for selfish reasons (prestige, careers and access to power) - is only one step away from saying that intellectuals’ actions are really nothing more than that, and all too close to suggesting that, because of this, the study of dissenting ideas is of no importance to the understanding of the role of intellectuals in modern societies. Elaborating on the current debate on postmodern intellectuals, sides are taken with the adherents of modernity : it still remains the task of intellectuals to bring the project towards its fulfilment. Finally it is argued that Gabriels’ ill reading of our initial contribution is rooted in antagonistic complicity, that is, biased by his own views on intellectuals as representatives of a new class of knowledge-bearers. He is summoned to lay down the disguise of Pinnocio’s little brother - willfully twisting reality, pretending to be a truly independent critic, while in fact he is an ardent advocate of a competitive theory of intellectuals.

How to Cite:

Dielissen, G., (1992) “Pinocchio's broertje: reactie op "de sociologie van de intellectuelen van Gerrit-Bartus Dielissen" van R.H. Gabriëls”, Tijdschrift voor Sociale Wetenschappen 37(1), 59–67. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/tvsw.95098