The Dangers of #AI and Illiberal Thinking with President #HamzaYusuf (2023 Commencement)

Summary

In the commencement ceremony speech at Zetuna College, the speaker reflects on the college's 10th anniversary and the significance of knowledge in the Islamic tradition. The address emphasizes the importance of deep thinking, intellectual jihad, and the arts of freedom. It also discusses the impact of technology on society, the need for a coherent policy on technological innovation, and the critical role of liberal education in democracy. The speaker urges graduates to embrace dignity, decorum, and the pursuit of knowledge, and to strive for justice tempered with mercy.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Welcome and commencement: The speaker welcomes guests to Zeytuna College's 10th commencement ceremony for the class of 2023, emphasizing the importance of the event and the beauty of the campus setting.
• 🌿 Symbolism of the Olive Tree: Zeytuna College is compared to an olive tree, symbolizing resilience, enlightenment, and sustenance, aiming to restore the centrality of knowledge in the Islamic tradition while embracing modern cultural currents.
• 📚 Divine Knowledge: The speech references the Quran to illustrate the metaphor of divine knowledge as light, with the human soul as a niche, intellect as a glass, and wisdom derived from the blessed olive tree's oil.
• 🤔 Reflection on Technology: The speaker prompts deep thought about the impact of technology on society, questioning the direction it's taking and the need for a coherent policy to guide technological innovation.
• 💡 Intellectual Jihad: The concept of intellectual jihad is introduced, emphasizing the importance of deep thinking (ishtihad) and defending the mind against invaders, which includes illiberal thinking.
• 🧠 Freedom of Thought: The speaker discusses the five enemies that hinder free thought: ego, ulterior motives, delusion, malevolent insinuations, and illiberal thinking, which must be overcome for clear reasoning and judgment.
• 📚 Arts of Freedom: The importance of mastering language, literature, grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric is highlighted as essential tools for free thought and effective communication.
• 🌍 Community and Brotherhood: The necessity of community, brotherly love, and family is stressed, with the Prophet's teachings on love and the importance of being a merciful and just society.
• 📖 The Role of Education: The speaker calls for a revival of true education that fosters critical thinking and resistance to propaganda, emphasizing the role of liberal arts in maintaining a democratic society.
• 🗣️ Press and Free Speech: The significance of a free press and the right to debate and criticize is discussed, as well as the dangers of a society that suppresses these freedoms in favor of superficial entertainment.
• 🌟 Final Advice: The graduates are advised to carry themselves with dignity, engage in deep thought, and strive to be people whom the Prophet would be proud of on the Day of Judgment, with a reminder to stand for justice tempered by mercy.

Q & A

What is the significance of the olive tree in the context of Zetuna College's commencement ceremony speech?

The olive tree serves as a profound metaphor in the speech, symbolizing resilience, enlightenment, and sustenance. It encapsulates the purpose of Zetuna College, which seeks to restore the centrality of knowledge in the Islamic tradition while embracing the cultural currents of the modern world.

How does the Quranic verse mentioned in the speech relate to the theme of knowledge and guidance?

The Quranic verse uses the imagery of a niche, lamp, and glass to symbolize the human soul, divine knowledge, and the human intellect, respectively. The oil from the blessed olive tree represents knowledge, truth, and guidance, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and its role in the educational journey of the graduates.

What is the 'tektronic revolution' as described in the speech?

The 'tektronic revolution' refers to the merging of technology and electricity, as described by the author in the book 'Between Two Ages'. It highlights the contrast between technical success and social failure, raising questions about the control and direction of technological innovation and its impact on society.

What are the 'Arts of Freedom' mentioned in the speech, and why are they important?

The 'Arts of Freedom' include deep thinking (ishtihad), intellectual jihad, and the critical examination of ideas. They are important because they allow individuals to defend their minds against harmful influences, make well-informed decisions, and contribute to the common good of society.

How does the speech connect the pursuit of knowledge with the formation of communities?

The speech posits that the pursuit of knowledge is essential for the formation of real communities. By communicating and sharing common ideas and purposes, individuals can unite and work towards a common goal. The restoration of community is an urgent imperative, and it relies on the free exchange of ideas and the mastery of the arts of communication.

What is the role of liberal arts in a democratic society, according to the speech?

In a democratic society, liberal arts are crucial for sustaining and extending freedom. Democratic citizens must be able to think for themselves, which requires a liberal education and a body of ideas to think with. The arts of liberty are essential for resisting tyranny and promoting a society where citizens can engage in meaningful discussions and contribute to the public discourse.

How does the speech address the impact of technology on society?

The speech acknowledges the potential of technology for individual creativity and fulfillment but also warns of its social destructiveness if left directionless. It calls for a conceptual framework to guide technological change towards meaningful and humane ends, emphasizing the need for society to think deeply about the implications of technological advancements.

What does the speech suggest about the current state of education?

The speech suggests that the current form of education is dying and needs to be revived. It criticizes systems that indoctrinate rather than truly educate, arguing that such systems make individuals more susceptible to propaganda and less capable of critical thinking.

What is the importance of brotherly love and community in the context of the speech?

Brotherly love and community are emphasized as essential for creating a just and supportive society. The speech encourages graduates to be people of decorum, dignity, and to carry themselves with noble character. It also highlights the importance of family as the foundation of community and the need for more love and unity among people.

How does the speech relate the concept of justice to the graduates?

The speech urges the graduates to stand firmly for justice as witnesses, but also to remember that justice must always be tempered by mercy. It encourages them to be just to the point where they are willing to testify against themselves, promoting a balanced approach to justice that incorporates compassion and understanding.

What are the 'five enemies' mentioned in the speech that one must free their heart from?

The 'five enemies' mentioned are ego (naps), ulterior motives (Hawa), delusion (Dunya), malevolent insinuations (shaytan), and illiberal thinking. These enemies hinder deep and free thinking, which is necessary for intellectual growth and effective participation in society.