International Journal of Humanities & Social Science Studies (IJHSSS) A Peer-Reviewed Bi-monthly Bi-lingual Research Journal ISSN: 2349-6959 (Online), ISSN: 2349-6711 (Print) Volume-III, Issue-V, March 2017, Page No. 241-249 Published by Scholar Publications, Karimganj, Assam, India, 788711 Website: http://www.ijhsss.com
“Overcoming Fundamentalism”: Review and Critique Cheronoh Fancy Research Scholar, Dept. of Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya Abstract Fundamentalism is a global phenomenon that has attracted the attention of scholars all over the world particularly in this twenty first century. There is a growing concern from all spheres with regards to fundamentalism. Economists, sociologists, anthropologists, theologians, philosophers and politicians among others seem to be overwhelmed by the phenomenon of fundamentalism and concerted efforts have been made to this effect with an aim of coming up with possible solutions on how to overcome fundamentalism. This review is one of such efforts that resulted from a conference and the efforts of Globethics.net. Such efforts illumined by faith and reason are of immense importance particularly in the modern or is it post-modern society characterized by the challenges of globalization, modernity, secularization and secularity, individualism, democracy, equality, social justice among other issues. The question however, is whether fundamentalism is the source or the solution to such challenges. Keywords: Overcoming, Fundamentalism, Review, Critique, Development 1. Introduction: Fundamentalism in the onset of the diverse articles in the book has been given a number of definitions. The contention among the contributors however, seems to be the fact that there are fundamentalists not only in religion but in politics, development, economics, ideology and history as well. As such, I would adopt Dower’s first definition of fundamentalism as movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles (Dower, 2009: 20). I would include overemphasis on norms, ideology and values to this definition. Such a definition seems to locate fundamentalism outside the confines of religion as has been misconceived by many including some scholars. With the above misconception, fundamentalism has been used with negative connotation particularly religious fundamentalism and perhaps this could be the reason why the scholars in this collection of articles thought of the title “overcoming fundamentalism.” It is common knowledge that the world is being challenged by extremists be it religious, political, cultural, social or democratic in all its corners. I think it has to be reiterated that fundamentalism as such is not bad though in its extreme end might be a hindrance to development particularly where necessary, developmental change is resisted by fundamentalists. Volume-III, Issue-V
March 2017
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