So why are we - should we be - with the Americans, who accepted the theocratic barbarism of Bin Laden? For the same reason we should have been with the Palestinians when Jenin was flattened, for the same reason we should have been with the Israelis when a suicide bomber blew up a school bus.

To remember Diogenes the Cynic, who 24 centuries ago dared to declare, "I am, we are, citizens of the world." He obviously meant that what defines us is neither our origin nor our membership in a social group, but primarily the acceptance of broader values, some more universal aspirations.

The demonization of America, which is based on the acceptance of religious fundamentalism as a means of blind violence, not only does not lead to a more just world but, on the contrary, undermines fundamental achievements of our civilization; a civilization, let us not forget, based on the acceptance of diversity and not of religious uniformity.

With many problems and contradictions, it is true (especially when history is shaped by leadership, like that of the current American president, who does everything in its power to undermine the American liberal tradition by violating basic rights of detainees or trying to restrict even the freedom of the press) but which can only be dealt with and overcome if we are grounded in the values of rationalism and modernity, and not investing in obscurantism and fanaticism.

From the introduction by Sifis Polymilis