Cosmic Quote by Edward Said
![“It [9/11 event] transcended the political and moved into the metaphysical. There was a kind of cosmic, demonic quality of mind at work here, which refused to have any interest in dialogue and political organization and persuasion.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fd6/edward-said-6412_cosmic_it-9-11-event-transcended-the-political_2078623.jpg)
“It [9/11 event] transcended the political and moved into the metaphysical. There was a kind of cosmic, demonic quality of mind at work here, which refused to have any interest in dialogue and political organization and persuasion.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Culture and Imperialism, 1993
He describes the 9/11 attacks as moving beyond politics into a metaphysical realm, marked by a demonic, non‑dialogic mindset.
In simple terms: The event felt like a cosmic, non‑dialogic force.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the limits of political dialogue in crises.
Themes
politics
metaphysics
conflict
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- terror analysis
- peacebuilding
- media framing
- public discourse
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
ideological extremism
Questions to Reflect On
- Can crises be fully understood through politics alone?
- How does metaphysical framing affect response?
A Different Perspective
May overemphasize mystical interpretation.
![“It [9/11] transcended the political and moved into the metaphysical. There was a kind of cosmic, demonic quality of mind at work here, which refused to have any interest in dialogue and political organization and persuasion. This was bloody-minded destruction for no other reason than to do it.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5a3/edward-said-6412_bloody_it-9-11-transcended-the-political-and-mo_861231.jpg)
![“This [terrorists attacks on 9/11] was part of nothing. It was a leap into another realm - the realm of crazy abstractions and mythological generalities, involving people who have hijacked Islam for their own purposes. It's important not to fall into that trap and to try to respond with a…” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/595/edward-said-6412_abstraction_this-terrorists-attacks-on-9-11-was-part_2025625.jpg)
![“I would say that Edgar Allan Poe, [Georges] Perec, Thomas Pynchon, and [Jorge Luis] Borges are all boy-writers. These are writers who take... a kind of demonic joy in writing.” quote by Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c94/paul-auster-351_allan-poe_i-would-say-that-edgar-allan-poe-georges_292858.jpg)
![“We have no clear ideas of the agency of [demonic] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but tells us plainly that he is always watching us, and desiring to sift us as wheat. I believe we give him no more than his due, when we charge him with having a…” quote by John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c75/john-newton-6629_abundance_we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of_2907.jpg)
![“[9/11] was bloody-minded destruction for no other reason than to do it.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a6e/edward-said-6412_bloody_9-11-was-bloody-minded-destruction-for-n_64269.jpg)
![“[One task of intellectuals is] to break down the stereotypes and reductive categories that are . . . limiting to human thought and communication.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b94/edward-said-6412_break_one-task-of-intellectuals-is-to-break-do_140792.jpg)
![“The just response to this terrible event [9/11] should be to go immediately to the world community, the United Nations. The rule of international law should be marshaled, but it's probably too late because the United States has never done that; it's always gone it alone.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/15f/edward-said-6412_community_the-just-response-to-this-terrible-event_189801.jpg)
