What they [the 9/11 attackers] abominate about 'the west'…
![“What they [the 9/11 attackers] abominate about 'the west', to put it in a phrase, is not what western liberals don't like and can't defend about their own system, but what they do like about it and must defend: its emancipated women, its scientific inquiry, its separation of religion from the state.” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/c3e/christopher-hitchens-117_inquiry_what-they-the-9-11-attackers-abominate-a_2508594.jpg)
“What they [the 9/11 attackers] abominate about 'the west', to put it in a phrase, is not what western liberals don't like and can't defend about their own system, but what they do like about it and must defend: its emancipated women, its scientific inquiry, its separation of religion from the state.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He argues that critics of the West often target its freedoms, especially women's rights and scientific inquiry, rather than its flaws.
In simple terms: Critics focus on Western freedoms, not its problems.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and defend genuine freedoms.
Themes
freedom
women's rights
science
secularism
cultural criticism
Mood
thoughtful
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political debate
- human rights advocacy
- educational curricula
- media analysis
Key Concepts
liberalism
human rights
secularism
gender equality
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you value the freedoms you defend?
- How do you address their shortcomings?
A Different Perspective
Critics may overlook systemic inequities within those freedoms.