By presenting Islam as a man-made tool for state power, Enlightenment-era thinkers could indirectly attack the divine origins of Christianity.
Early on, many Westerners viewed Islam as a Christian heresy rather than a completely separate religion, which led to Catholics and Protestants accusing each other of being "virtually Muslims". 3. Shifting Perceptions (1450–1750) The guide to Malcolm's chronological coverage includes: Useful Enemies: Islam and the Ottoman Empire in...
Malcolm argues that the Ottomans were not just external threats to be feared, but in Western thought. Thinkers used Ottoman examples to: By presenting Islam as a man-made tool for
This guide outlines the key themes and historical arguments in by Sir Noel Malcolm. their own political flaws through the concept of "despotism"
Radical writers began portraying Islam as a religion specifically engineered for political control.
their own political flaws through the concept of "despotism".
The idea of "oriental despotism" did not begin as a simple insult. It evolved as a response to positive assessments of Ottoman power.