Week 10 Lecture Notes: Decolonisation PDF

MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES WEEK 10 DECOLONISATION Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES LEARNING OUTCOMES Explain the definition and concept of decolonization...

MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES WEEK 10 DECOLONISATION Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES LEARNING OUTCOMES Explain the definition and concept of decolonization Elaborate the main factors that led to the emergence and development of decolonization 2 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES DEFINITION : COLONIZATION CONTENT DEFINITION : DECOLONIZATION HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE CENTURIES IMPACT OF WESTERN THINKING TOWARDS ECOLOGICAL DESTRUCTION FREEDOM FROM WESTERN COLONIZATION SEJAHTERA 3 Center for General Studies | DEFINITION : COLONIZATION 4  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES DEFINITION : COLONIZATION Colonialism is the practice of one country taking full or partial political control of another country and occupying it with settlers for purposes of profiting from its resources and economy. The long control exercised by the British Empire over much of North America, parts of Africa, India and Southeast Asia is an example of colonial domination. 5 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES DEFINITION : COLONIZATION Colonization can also be defined as a situation / phenomenon where the colonizers colonize people / state in terms of their: a. physicality b material wealth c. thoughts d. intellectual capacity 6 Center for General Studies | DEFINITION : DECOLONIZATION 7  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES DEFINITION: DECOLONIZATION Decolonisation is the process of deconstructing colonial ideologies of the superiority and privilege of Western thought and approaches. Decolonization involves addressing unbalanced power dynamics, valuing and revitalizing indigenous knowledge and weeding out settler biases or assumptions of indigenous community. Decolonization is an ongoing process that requires the citizens to be collectively involved and responsible. It creates spaces that are inclusive, respectful, and honour indigenous community. 8 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES DEFINITION: DECOLONIZATION Decolonization can also bring the meaning of freeing oneself in terms of : a. Material b. Mental c. Thoughts d. Colonial influence 9 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES COLONIZATION & DECOLONIZATION Colonial influence still exists in our society till today 1 0 Center for General Studies | HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE CENTURIES 1 1  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE CENTURIES The Western powers have: a. Influenced world history for a few centuries b. Gone through a huge and rapid process of modernization c. Influenced modernization in the whole world Thus, we must endeavor to understand the development of history by asking questions such as : a. What are the episodes of history in the West? b. What brought about the emergence of modernity? c. What are the problems that arised from this? 1 2 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE CENTURIES Some of the important progress in the West have: a. influenced their way of thinking b. which ultimately formed their behavior towards ecology and nature. 1 3 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE CENTURIES – 16th CENTURY The emergence of the Renaissance period A time where Westerners referred to the Greek philosophers & their methods of thinking in the fields of Philosophy, Literature, Thought Process etc. The Renaissance period can be said to be a time of reawakening in terms to knowledge. Starting from Italy, it spread towards other parts of Europe This can be further defined as a secularization process in the West Medieval thinking Liberal & Open thinking 1 4 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE CENTURIES – 17TH CENTURY The time when scientific revolutions took Through the colonialism process: place which brought about: Saw the rise of 2 famous Western a. Western powers started acquiring a. Rapid progress and success in science Philosophers, Francis Bacon & Rene b. Built the foundation of modern-day military weapons and technology b. Were able to colonize other countries Descartes science c. Affected the development and way of c. Expanded scientific knowledge which life further added to the powers of the West 1 5 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE CENTURIES – 18TH CENTURY The time where the Great Industrial Revolution of the Great Britain emerged. It was extremely influential and had a deep impact in the development of the World Economy Use of reasoning This revolution spread to other countries such as Rational mind France, Germany, Netherlands etc. The 18th century also so the Enlightenment Movement in Europe from which the Thinking Revolution Use of emerged. Science & Technology Scientists and Philosophers such as John Locke, David Hume and Immanuel Kant contributed ideas that were more rational and scientific in terms to explaining phenomenon's (Richard Schacht, 1991) The Europeans started becoming a more secular society who focused on the progress of science and Developed the European technology as well as rational way of thinking. society into a glorious age This was the MODERN era which was pioneered by the (era) Enlightenment movement in Europe. 1 6 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE CENTURIES – 19TH CENTURY Also known as the 2nd Industrial Revolution which was bigger than the 1st Industrial Revolution New technologies emerged: a. Telephone as a communication method b. Cars c. Electricity All of these were heavily dependent on the success of science and physics In the 19th century, we see science coming together with technology as we realize the emergence of new and progressive communication tools 1 7 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE CENTURIES – Technological Development continued and now we have 20TH CENTURY technologies such as computer science and the Internet. The Western progress started to influence the culture and history of the entire world These progress and development were further spread to the whole world via the colonialism process. Countries in the West that has new powers in the form of science and technology were able to conquer Non-Western countries, influencing these countries and its society’s lifestyle. 1 8 Center for General Studies | IMPACT OF WESTERN THINKING TOWARDS ECOLOGICAL DESTRUCTION 19  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES IMPACT OF WESTERN THINKING TOWARDS ECOLOGICAL DESTRUCTION There are two Western philosophers who are said to be fathers of Philosophy and science; however, critiques also blame them for the destruction of nature in the long run Center for General Studies | 20 SIR FRANCIS BACON 21  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES SIR FRANCIS BACON Francis Bacon, also known as Lord Verulam, was an English philosopher and statesman who served as Attorney General and as Lord Chancellor of England. His works are seen as contributing to the scientific method and remained influential through the later stages of the scientific revolution. Sir Francis Bacon is often said to be the pioneer of the scientific method 2 2 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES SIR FRANCIS BACON Sir Francis Bacon felt that the humans and nature were two opposing forces. This meant that humans should dominate and control nature. Bacon’s way was to not have a friendly relationship with nature Indirectly, it meant that Bacon supported the idea that Nature was to be exploited by humans. Bacon’s philosophy was the basis for Practical Knowledge. He created the scientific method of conducting experiments to confirm a prediction, a method used until today in science. This was later known as Baconian Science or The Baconian Method, which critiques felt were exploitative towards nature. His ideas were that humans always lost to nature and that humans were overpowered by nature. Hence, Bacon introduced metaphors that leaned towards the ideas of exploiting and dominating nature. 2 3 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES SIR FRANCIS BACON Sir Francis Bacon’s scientific methods was based on the fundamental idea of : KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Knowledge was not ONLY for: a. create an understanding of the world b. To fulfill intellectual curiosity Knowledge WAS ALSO for: a. developing technology b. to make human life easier. Sir Francis Bacon created the new wave of understanding that knowledge: a. was for practical uses b. can be connected to nature c. should be explored especially in terms to its connection towards nature 2 4 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES SIR FRANCIS BACON According to Sir Francis Bacon, human evolution has seen humans suffering many of nature’s disasters, such as: a. earthquakes b. flooding c. tornadoes The above disasters destroys societies and human life. Humans were seen as unable to solve the issues caused by nature’s disasters. This, he said was a contestation – an opposing relationship Hence, Sir Francis believed that humans should use their knowledge for practicality – creating machines and technology that will allow humans to dominate nature instead. 2 5 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES SIR FRANCIS BACON Sir Francis Bacon is a forward thinker. He contributed ideas towards creating technologies that would solve human problems For example: In the farming industry, creating plants that had high yield and were also Today, the world is moving nutritious which could solve food shortage towards R&D in handling problems food shortage crisis, and this was illustrated by Sir In the engineering field Francis Bacon in the 17th where machines were created to ease the life of century humans. 2 6 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES IMPACT OF WESTERN THINKING TOWARDS ECOLOGICAL DESTRUCTION The Western way of thinking also believed in Faust – a power that wants to dominate nature According to German legends, Faust was a wizard who sold his soul to gain power. This showed the masculine aspect in the Western way of thinking – the need to control and dominate nature. Friedrich Nietzsche also contributed to this idea by talking about ‘The Will To Power’ He emphasized that humans must have the desire to dominate or hold considerable amount of power over things such as nature 2 7 Center for General Studies |  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES IMPACT OF WESTERN THINKING TOWARDS ECOLOGICAL DESTRUCTION The Western ways were very different from the Asian philosophy when it comes to nature. This can be seen from the Taoist approach towards Nature. In accordance to Taoism, human life and its thoughts should flow in accordance to nature. Flow with nature is not at all about going against nature Taoism Philosophy focuses on achieving harmony between humans and nature, which is very different from how the West view nature. 2 8 Center for General Studies | RENE DESCARTES 30  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES RENE DESCARTES René Descartes was born on March 31, 1596, in a small town in central France. René Descartes was a French philosopher, scientist, and mathematician, widely considered a seminal figure in the emergence of modern philosophy and science. Mathematics were central to his method of inquiry, and he connected the previously separate fields of geometry and algebra into analytic geometry. The philosopher and mathematician is regarded as the father of modern philosophy for defining a starting point for existence. He published works on optics, coordinate geometry, physiology, and cosmology  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES RENE DESCARTES – CARTESIAN DUALISM Cartesian dualism is René Descartes's concept of dualism, dealing with the dual existence of man. Cartesian Dualism He believed that man consisted of : 1. Mind ( soul) and 2. Matter (body) Anthropocentrism He believed that the human body and mind were two separate things. Thought exists. Environmentalism Thought cannot be separated from me Therefore, I exist All this resulted in his famous Cogito ergo sum- I think, therefore I am. Eurocentrism The idea of Cartesian Dualism has an impact on these concepts:  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES RENE DESCARTES - CARTESIAN DUALISM Anthropocentrism Environmentalism Eurocentrism Anthropocentrism is the idea that humans Environmentalism seeks to preserve, Eurocentrism refers to a discursive are the most significant beings on Earth conserve and protect entire ecosystems tendency to interpret the histories and and that all other plants, animals, and compromising of animals, plants, and cultures of non-European societies from a objects are important only in so far as humans found in different habitats European (or Western) perspective. they support human survival. throughout our planet. Common features of Eurocentric thought Anthropocentrism has caused a horrifying Primarily seeks to protect the Earth's include: array of global environmental problems resources that humanity requires for and many other environmental crises survival and development. Ignoring or undervaluing non-European worldwide. societies as inferior to Western seeing the histories of non-European Eg : Climate change societies simply in European terms or as ozone depletion part of "the expansion of Europe" and its destruction of the rainforest poisoning of water and air civilizing influence. pace of species extinction, decline of biodiversity, Center for General Studies | 32  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES RENE DESCARTES According to Rene Descartes, nature is neutral, it does not live or die. Nature can be exploited because nature feels like a dead person and those who are alive can do what they like with it. This is because, as we know, in his Cartesian Dualism theory, Descartes has divided humans to 2 parts, mind and body. So, the soul (spiritual) aspect of humans have been divided from their body (Hatfield, 2008) From here, a new Western knowledge emerged, which was known as “the mind body problem” Center for General Studies | 33  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES RENE DESCARTES Descartes looked upon nature as: Can be researched in a Did not have feelings, Was something that Something neutral scientific manner energy or soul wasn’t alive Descartes thoughts were very different from the primitive people as they saw nature as something that was alive, had energy and was pure. When something was seen as pure, it will be given value, appreciation, respect and not exploited.  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES RENE DESCARTES Cogito Ergo Sum / Ergo Cogito Ergo Sum Descartes’s analogy of nature was that it was I think, therefore I am like a huge machine that could be exploited without any side effects. As he was a renowned philosopher, this thought spread widely among the Westerners, and they Ergo conquiro ergo sum believed in the same thing. I conquer, therefore for Descartes philosophy and spirit were spread I am throughout the European empires. Ergo extermino ergo sum I destroy, therefore I am  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES RENE DESCARTES – THE MECHANICAL PHILOSOPHY Descartes was in favor of The Mechanical Philosophy. According to The Mechanical Philosophy, the world is seen as a gigantic machine. Due to this, the world is treated as a machine and a resource. Its beauty is not appreciated nor valued. As a resource, it is exploited for economic reasons. This situation is happening up until now. Center for General Studies | 36  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES IMPACT OF WESTERN THINKING TOWARDS ECOLOGICAL DESTRUCTION Bacon and Descartes’s However, the Western Around the world, way of thinking in terms society chooses to e in economic revenue plays to nature is not right for denial about the mass a more important role any society or any part destruction around the compared to the of the world. world destruction of nature. Industrialization and Only more recently, This is because, only technology have created sustainability is gaining now societies around the green house effects, traction so we can world are realizing the climate change etc which parallelize modernity impact of human’s doing are now threatening the with balancing nature. towards the ecology. very lives of humans. Center for General Studies | 37 FREEDOM FROM WESTERN COLONIZATION 40  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES FREEDOM FROM WESTERN COLONIZATION Some of the western philosopher’s thoughts/ way of life can contribute towards the destruction of nature. To free ourselves from colonization, we need to: a. develop our own philosophical thinking b. one that is more appropriate to our culture and society c. not be influenced by foreign philosophies Center for General Studies | SEJAHTERA 4 0  MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES SEJAHTERA PHILOSOPHY Sejahtera is a philosophy that aims at being the driving force of our society and its lifestyle by focusing on the holistic wellbeing of the society. Sejahtera as a philosophy can be defined as: a. having a balanced and harmonious lifestyle b. connecting the human’s internal aspects with external aspects such as nature Sejahtera as a root word might not be from local origins, but it comes from the Asian region and encompasses the culture and values of the archipelago. 4 1 Center for General Studies | MPU2193 | PHILOSOPHY & CURRENT ISSUES Center for General Studies |