A Dialogue of Civilizations
Writer Carroll states in the introduction that prior to a trip she  made late in 2004 she was unaware that the organizers of the Institute for  Interfaith Dialog based in Houston, Texas as well as the organizers of the  trip itself were members of a community of people inspired by the notions  of Fethullh Gulen, a Turkish Islamic scholar. Reading further we find  Carroll's intent in this book is to 'place the ideas of Fethullh Gulen into  the context of the larger humanities. Chapter titles are 1: Gulen and Kant  on Inherent Human Value and Moral Dignity, 2: Gulen and Mill on Freedom, 3:  Gulen, Confucius, and Plato on the Human Ideal, 4: Gulen, Confucius, and  Plato on Education, 5: Gulen and Sartre on Responsibility. Kant's belief  was that humans have inherent value, Gulen spoke of the transcendent value  of human beings. Mills' assertions that the tyranny of the majority must be  met head long was presented from his viewpoint of the nineteenth century  Briton. Gulen avows that 'freedom allows people to do whatever they want,  provided they do not harm others and they remain wholly devoted to the  truth.'   A Dialogue of Civilizations: Gulen's Islamic Ideals and Humanistic  Discourse presents the query 'what is the level of resonance between Islam  and the West?' That the twenty-first century has become an episode of  heretofore unnoticed quandary is obvious. Up until 9-1-1 few worldwide  really gave much thought to anything other than their own viewpoint. Writer  Carroll finds significance can be gleaned an awareness of the theoretically  divergent views of Gulen, Turkish Muslim scholar and those of Immanuel  Kant, Confucius, Plato, John Stuart Mill, and Jean Paul Sartre regarding  critical hypothesis including intrinsic ethical pride, creature  significance, learning, autonomy, and accountability. The reader may be  surprised to find out these figures who are separated by centuries in time,  as well as oceans or continents have a propensity toward speaking the same  language.Writer Carroll's attentive writing style has produced a judicious and  timely work, she is knowledgeable, presents her thesis in readable manner  and holds reader interest. Not for everyone, if you are looking for a  lighthearted, 'story' book for a quick afternoon read A Dialogue of  Civilizations: Gulen's Islamic Ideals and Humanistic Discourse is not that  book. If you would like to learn a little more about Gulen and his notions  of education and dialog then A Dialogue of Civilizations: Gulen's Islamic  Ideals and Humanistic Discourse will prove an eye-opening read.Educational read, happy to recommend for those who are hoping to learn  something of an interesting thesis. --Midwest Book Review