Tag: public intellectuals

Three things I learned from Christopher Hitchens

This morning, after reading the news of the passing of celebrity intellectual Christopher Hitchens, I reblogged a few items and quotes on my Tumblr page. [1] [2] It was not his rhetoric [3] that attracted me to his public persona. Nor is it his writings that attracted me to him. I have not read all his books. Though I do confess that I subscribe to The Atlantic for the sheer pleasure of reading his articles.

What enamors me to Hitchens is his justo to engage in the Great Debate. [4] That inspires me. Where most of our culture retreats from serious discussion of issues of faith, philosophy and religion–preferring reductionist thought and banal entertainment–Hitchens stoked the fires of conversation and debate with wit, passion and intrigue. In reflecting what I might learn from the life of Christopher Hitchens, I feel quite inadequate. There is so much to learn from him, yet, here are three short thoughts:

  1. If you are a mediocre or even good writer, your words will survive you.
  2. Friends will shape you and your thinking.
  3. Avoid being defined by your critics and fans.

Writers and public intellectuals will compose grand obituaries with wise thoughts, expressions and reflections. Their words will be published today and throughout the weekend in the world’s largest newspapers and magazines. And then there are a lot of us beyond the periphery of the spotlight and public square who in some small way are affected by his legacy. To conclude, as one writer concluded his obituary, [5] Christopher Eric Hitchens (1949-2011). R.I.P.

NOTES: [1] “I became a journalist…” and “to remember friendship is to recall those conversations…” and Postscript: Christopher Hitchens, 1949-2011. [2] To some who know me beyond the façade of blogs and social media, this may or may not appear an odd display. [3] He often offered false assumptions and careless conclusions in his arguments. In this, I refer to rhetoric as it relates to classical education (rhetoric builds on grammar and logic) not polemics. [4] The Great Debate is more than a book or video (featuring Hitchens), it is an age-old debate of the existence of God. [5] “Christopher Hitchens Has Died”