Though the public intellectual is a difficult individual to define, Jean Bethke Elshtain argued that the main function for the public intellectual in today’s society is criticism. Elshtain also goes on to argue that “public intellectuals are in a better position to perform such a function because learning the processes of criticism and practicing them with some regularity are requisites for intellectual employment.” While these requisites may appear to be tough and the public intellectual seem nonexistent these days, Christopher Hitchens’ journalistic career coupled with his criticism of politics, religion, and notable individuals proves that the public intellectual has not completely disappeared from our society and their opinions still hold significant weight in this world.
Born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England in 1949, Hitchens attended the University of Oxford where he received a third class degree and subsequently began his career as a journalist before immigrating to the United States in 1981. It was here that he wrote for magazines The Nation and Vanity Fair. In 2002, Hitchens left the Nation due to disagreements over the war in Iraq post September 11th. Hitchens’ strong beliefs including his support of President Bush’s war on terror and criticism of the government’s use of water boarding are prime examples of his status as a public intellectual and were aided by his education and work in the field of journalism. His journalistic background gave him experience in reporting facts and awarded him credibility among US citizens and foreign countries alike. Had Hitchens been merely educated in an unrelated field such as medicine, sports, or agriculture, his opinions on government and politics would not be valued as much by society and would not make him appear to be a public intellectual.
Additionally, Hitchens’ subject matter for his criticisms includes topics that are relevant to the general public, not items that only relate to specific individuals. When it comes to religion (an area that must be considered by all whether you choose to follow God or denounce all), Hitchens is a self proclaimed anti-theist (one who is opposed to organized religion or the belief in any God) and even wrote a book titled God Is Not Great where he critiques religion. Although controversial, this book did reach #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list in its third week of circulation, which showed that many Americans were curious to hear his argument even though it was not a popular one in the mainstream society. This proves that although not everyone shares Hitchens views, he is a valued intellectual in society and presents intriguing ideas to an ever curious society.
Specific individuals aren’t even safe from Hitchens’ criticism. In 2006, Hitchens showed that he does indeed hold all accountable for their actions and is willing to bring even some of the most famous people to light when he criticized Mel Gibson by calling him “sick to his empty core with Jew-hatred.” These harsh words from the Oxford graduate were made after it was reported that Gibson had harassed his arresting officer, asked him if he was Jewish, and then insulted the religion and its followers. Hitchens had not used any bias and did not give Gibson exemption because of his fame; he only commented on the event and gave his input. Not everyone will agree with what Hitchens has to say, but public intellectuals don’t always have to be right, they don’t even have to be popular (as Hitchens shows with his controversial ways), but they have to be educated and like Stephen Mack says, say knowledgeable things worth hearing about. Hitchens clearly does just this and proves that the role of the public intellectual in today’s society is far from dead.
