The role of the intellectual in the awakening of society

The question that we would like to propose an answer to is this one; what is the role of the intellectual in awakening society? With what does the intellectual awaken society, how can he influence change among the people, and for what purpose? The answer that we propose is the following; the intellectual awakens society to ideals, and he creates change through direct communication with people, and his purpose is the proposition of improved conditions and a more valuable and worthy life than the life that he critiques and wishes to surpass. That implies that the intellectual sees the undesirable conditions and envisions the desired conditions; in thinking of the future, the intellectual wishes that what is to come is better than present conditions. Before beginning this discussion, We must mention who the intellectual is. The intellectual is a person familiar with ideals and values. He is a person in touch with society and ideals. The level of his scientific awareness is perceivably cultivated and his reading of societal conditions is objective, he looks at society with a critical lens and his goal is to to pinpoint grievances and propose solutions, the intellectual predicts events in advance - to an extent, it is possible that in terms of intellect, he is ahead of his time. Here we refer to an intellectual that wishes to have impact and is not separate from his purpose, an active and visible actor. As such, this topic touches on one of the roles of the intellectual, one of which includes awakening society. 

In this essay, we briefly take note of the role of the intellectual in awakening society and creating an awakened class. The role of the intellectual in society makes him a property of the public, because the purpose of the intellectual is public, he ponders social grievances, grievances that touch people at large, whether they be economic, cultural, religious, scientific or political. the roles of the intellectual are not singular or uni-form; the intellectual may be a nationalist who takes on a nationalist path in his working role, the intellectual may be a nationalist for whom a geographic location is where he executes his role, the intellectual may have a religious role and he may constantly prioritize a religion as his purpose and direction. Or, he could be a humanist and talk about humanity at large; he could be a universalist who holds a lifelong fascination with scientific universal facts. Their fields may differ, but the one distinctive characteristic which unites all intellectuals is this; consolidating human values, those values that require people and society (even if it is a scientific finding, they want the people to be awakened to this scientific revelation). One point that we would like to stress in this piece is that an intellectual is not necessarily just an academic person, just as someone with a high academic ranking does not become an intellectual by virtue of his academic pedigree alone. it is plausible that all the characteristics that render one an intellectual are present in someone who is not academic, being academic is one characteristic of the intellectual, but it is not a prerequisite to being an intellectual.

The intellectual, in thinking about any concept, relates it to society and the people. For example, if he speaks of justice, he conceptualizes justice within a social framework, whether his own society or another one, and he is not neutral in his discussions. He reaches a certain conclusion and discusses his conceptions and perceptions about it. His thinking is clear on whether or not justice has been applied and consolidated, or whether justice is absent - and he puts forth his opinion on how society should reflect on injustice. He is the first to clarify his stance and becomes a catalyst for the people; he acts on what he says. Put differently, the intellectual feels a sense of responsibility toward public matters, that sense is so strong in the intellectual that he becomes the embodiment of the social awakening and becomes the living consciousness of the people; the intellectual cannot stay silent on matters that harm the public, and likewise he cannot stay silent on how societal conditions could be improved. In both conditions, the intellectual is connected to the people and does not separate himself from public matters. There is one foundational principle in the intellectuals' role in awakening society and creating a positive impact, a principle to which we will later return. To which ideals does the intellectual awaken society to? Which are the values that shape the desired societal conditions for individuals? Three values are the pillars of any society worth living in; freedom, equality, and justice.

The intellectual takes on a complex mission and a great responsibility; on one hand, he must educate society on the meaning of each ideal and define their antithesis/opposite in turn. For example, the intellectual explicates the contrast between life in a free society, compared to a society that violates personal liberties. Or, he explains life in a society in which individuals are equal in terms of their humanity and rights, in contrast with a society wherein a minority violates the rights of the majority. That is only the beginning of the intellectual's work; it is not sufficient to show these contrasting images of different societies. the intellectual also must convey in his message an explanation of which foundations equality, personal freedoms, and justice are based on and how they are guaranteed and protected. For example, the intellectual delivers the following truth; for individuals to experience their individual and social freedoms, they need laws that regulate relations, and these laws require an authority that enforces them, an authority that embodies the rule of law to the extent permitted by the law. In matters concerning power and the people, the intellectual always tips the scale in favor of the people. Even if the intellectual is close to the authorities, he still aims to make authority a means that serves the people and fulfills their demands. What is clear to the intellectual is that the rule of law is the basis for any society and that the rule of law is an end, and the means to that end is authority. Because in making the law sovereign (the rule of law), in enabling the law to put limits to power, individuals can exercise their obligations, rights, and liberties in society. But what is the solidity of the rule of law based on? What undermines it? or rather, through which means can power consolidate the rule of law? Certainly through several institutions that are independent in their executive duties. Which duties? the duty to guarantee rights, delegate functions, and protect the property and life of individuals. So, insofar as liberty, justice, and equality rely upon the rule of law and institutions, to that same extent, the rule of law and institutions are ideals to which the intellectual must awaken society.