.... Then I discuss some of the Western values like accepting criticism and irony. Irony it seems is a bit incomprehensible to Islamic society. They don't seem to understand irony. The fact that you can actually criticize some of the most basically held beliefs of one's own culture and see the funny side of it, to see the humorous self-criticism or irony is one of the greatest strengths of the West.
Then there is the whole notion of objectivity. That is the scientific method which is a gift of the West to the rest of the world which has not been properly appreciated. I end this latest book with some rallying cries as to how we can defend Western civilization. [New English Review] Read more
