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News

News: September/October 2007

French told to think less • Top Islamic philosopher dies • Georgetown embraces the Middle Ages — News reports by Sue Roberts

French Furore

A recent parliamentary speech by the French Finance Minister, Christine Lagarde, led to the ruffling of a great many intellectual feathers. In a statement to the National Assembly she told the French to spend less time thinking and instead be prepared to “roll up your sleeves!” In a nation that prides itself on intellectual debate in all walks of life, this is heresy. Alain Finkeilkraut, philosopher, writer, professor and radio-show host, responded robustly. “How absurd to say we should think less! If you have the chance to consecrate your life to thinking, you work all the time, even in your sleep. Thinking requires setbacks, suffering, a lot of sweat.

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