The essence of the West and modernity in Shariati thought

Iranian thinkers, befitting to the time and context, each chose a different approach in dealing with the West and modernity. The purpose of this study is to understand Shariati's attitude towards the West and modernity and by using qualitative content analysis method and quoting his works and based on the theoretical framework of the Frankfurt School, this research seeks to achieve this goal and answer the question: what is Shariati's position and view on the essence of the West and modernity? He seems to have taken a selective and critical look at the essence of the West and modernity, insisting on the need to use modernity properly and maintain an identity against the essence of the West. According to the evidence, Shariati's view of the essence of the West is from the perspective of civilization and colonialism. He was interested in the positive and scientific aspects of Western civilization because of its relevance to Third World societies and had a critical view of colonialism because it imposed alienation on the societies of the Third World. His view of modernity is also divided into two aspects of civilization and modernity. Although he saw civilization as a positive thing, he attacked modernity that imitated and consumed us.