The Treason of the Intellectuals
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The Treason of the Intellectuals (La Trahison des clercs), published in 1927 by Julien Benda, is a philosophical work that criticizes intellectuals who betray truth and justice for political or racial causes. Benda, a novelist and philosopher, was a prominent critic of Romanticism and a proponent of reason and intellect.1
In this influential book, Benda argues that intellectuals have a duty to remain detached from partisan politics and uphold universal moral principles. He denounces those who align themselves with nationalistic or ideological movements, believing they compromise intellectual integrity and contribute to societal division. Benda's work calls for a return to intellectual rigor and a commitment to objective truth over emotional or political expediency.21
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