Richard Dawkins as a public intellectual after The God Delusion: A British study

Abstract

This article informs sociology of intellectuals through a case study of Richard Dawkins' public reputation after the publication of The God Delusion. It uses positioning theory and cultural sociology's distinction between traditional intellectuals and media intellectuals to argue that Dawkins' self-positioning was inherently constrained by subsequent positioning by media intellectuals, and that the latter is more important than the former in setting Dawkins' divisive reputation in public discourse. In particular, this article highlights five positioning techniques that are instrumental in constructing Dawkins' reputation: (i) labeling and packaging of 'militant atheism' and 'New Atheism'; (ii) positioning of allies and opponents; (iii) positioning with cultural values; (iv) positioning with the civil sphere; and (v) positioning of Dawkins' intellectual authority. The article ends with questions and suggestions for pursuing a more culturally sensitive sociology of intellectuals.

Discursive opportunities and the transnational diffusion of ideas: ‘brainwashing’ and ‘mind control’ in Japan after the Aum Affair

“…For instance, an intellectual may create ‘teams’ of allies that share their views and create ‘labels’ and ‘packages’ to appeal to broad audiences through acts of relational ‘positioning’ (Baert ). Labels serve an important function for expressing support or disapproval of an intellectual position: after the publication of Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion , Dawkins’ supporters created positive labels of ‘New Atheism’ and ‘secular humanism’ to promote their cause, while critics dismissed him as a ‘militant atheist’ to characterize him as essentially uncivil and discriminatory towards all religions (Ushiyama ). The second meaning of ‘performance’ relates to the fact that intellectuals literally ‘perform’ ideas to public audiences through by themselves becoming dramatis personae engaged in ‘social dramas’.…”

Cultural trauma, counter-narratives, and dialogical intellectuals: the works of Murakami Haruki and Mori Tatsuya in the context of the Aum affair

“…85-89) and sees the transformative potential of intellectuals in challenging domination legitimated through symbolic violence. For studies of public intellectuals from a performative perspective, seeBaert (2015) andUshiyama (2014).…”