Walter Mignolo, semiotician and literary theorist, weighs in on the relative strengths of Eurocentric and non-Eurocentric (colonial, not occidental) philosophy in this article on Aljeezera. In literary theory, most new studies are centered around Eurocentrism and its effect on natives via Postcolonial theory. Heavy minds in Postcolonial Theory include Gayatri Spivak, Homi Bhabha, and Edward Said. These theorists have focused on understanding literature from the perspective of the native, all having been born in what can be considered 'colonies'. Walter Mignolo has recently been trying to incorporate this field of thought into the field of philosophy and cultural studies.
Although the article tends to be a strenuous read the main focus is Mignolo’s analysis of a recent debate between Santiago Zabalo and Hamid Dabashi which was published in a prior edition of the same magazine. Mignolo focuses on what he calls “re-westernisation.” This term signifies a new version of the postcolonial approach, where the non-westerner completely separates from the Eurocentric culture to become a separate entity. The article brings forth many interesting concepts, providing a progressive insight into the world of the decolonial side of philosophy or, where do non-westerners fit in and how can they use western philosophy to help form an identity and a philosophy of their own?
Mignolo points to Zabala's use of Slavoj Zizek's philosophies as a possible answer to these identity issues. He also points out that more and more Non-European scholars tend to agree that the hierarchy of colonial structures is beginning to crumble, paving way for a new, fresh approach to the Postcolonial identity crisis. Using Zizek's theories as a foundation, Mignolo claims a place where communism may act as an aid in the decentralisation of non-Eurocentric cultures. He expands upon the arguments that non-Eurocentric thinkers have used in the past to negate new practices of government, opting for a more suitable way to govern the people via communism.
As he puts it,
All of the above take me to the question of communism, which is the focus of Zabala's response, the four powerful antagonisms that - according to Zizek - could prevent capitalism's indefinite reproduction:
- The looming threat of ecological catastrophe.
- The inappropriateness of the notion of private property for so-called 'intellectual property'.
- The socio-ethical implications of new techno-scientific developments (especially in biogenetics).
- New forms of apartheid, new walls and slums.
Here is perhaps the most intriguing of all the points that Mignolo makes. In the recent Marx episode, the group was discussing a possible future that hasn't come yet where communism makes sense and is a viable option. Mignolo and Zabala both introduce a future where this could work. As a way to escape the Western capitalistic world, communism becomes a possibility. The possibility of a new identity for non-Europeans, splitting completely from the Western world to form a new identity then becomes a reality through a communistic approach to the cultural debate. Here we may find a way for two separate worlds to coexist in harmony. Not the only possibility, but an interesting option.
Check out Mignolo's recent book The Darker Side of Western Modernity
Praxeologue says
March 1, 2013 at 3:30 amCapitalism has been responsible for lifting such a large proportion of humanity out of abject poverty that it is hard to take calls for Marxism seriously, especially when Marx himself was rather hazy, on, you know, the detail?
How about looking at what is wrong with capitalism as practiced (as you guys noted yourself, Marxism as practiced wasnt reeeeeal Marxism, ditto for capitalism we have today: consider banks relationships with the Fed and government borrowing needs, or military, or lobby interests etc.etc.. these are not capitalist outcomes and one can argue are largely responsible for the current mess).
For starters, look at libertarians who would agree re intellectual property rights. See Kinsella interview here. http://www.thedailybell.com/3710/Anthony-Wile-Stephan-Kinsella-on
Academics have always loved the appeal of Marxism and should remind themselves they would probably have been supporters if alive at the time of the various versions attempted as against that awful colonial capitalism… yes, how terrible.
dmf says
March 1, 2013 at 10:12 amhttp://backdoorbroadcasting.net/2013/02/slavoj-zizek-a-reply-to-my-critics/
Nate Johnson says
March 1, 2013 at 2:35 pmI just read the linked article, and I found it very very interesting. I shouldn’t be surprised that I haven’t even heard of most of the non-European philosophers he mentioned, excluding Fanon. I took a course in college on Colonial/Post-Colonial literature. But even in that course we mostly read short-stories by authors that I, as a WMA, had already heard of. That was probably partly due to having to assign a textbook for the course, the Professor was limited by survey readers, supplemented by a few stories copied from more obscure sources. My point is that even in the field of Colonial/Post-Colonial literature, it is still a difficult subject to get a good grasp on, I imagine it’s even more difficult to get immersed in the same kind of Philosophy. I came out of that class in better shape than I went in, and I still have the theoretical/critical course-book from that class, but mostly I came out of knowing that other points of view are out there but they are hard to get at. I think one of, if not the, most crucial aspect of education is giving alternate points of view. It seems that going to college is one of the best ways to have that experience, it’s not quite enough and it doesn’t seem to be getting better anymore. People need other resources to educate themselves, access to other points of view. iTunes U and podcasts like this one certainly help. People do go on Aljazeera and join book clubs. Every little bit helps. I do hope the podcasters continue to tackle non-Western philosophy occasionally, maybe this article is a good starting place.
Thanks.
Nate
Daniel David says
March 1, 2013 at 5:20 pmGood job untangling the debate and the article. I was unfamiliar with most of these names, so thanks.
Rian Mitch says
March 2, 2013 at 1:31 amThanks. I find it fascinating and a bit disappointing that I,too, am somewhat ignorant to the non-Eurocentric philosophers mentioned. Although I’m not a huge fan of Postcolonial Theory, this makes me want to expand my knowledge on this subject.
Walter Mignolo says
May 24, 2013 at 6:02 amThanks Rian for the posting and for disseminating the debate.
However, there is a point i would like to correct in your interpretation: i do not rely on Zizek, quite the contrary, my argument is a diplomatic and radical critic to his position. That is why he did not like a bit what i say and responded shortly after it was published
http://www.lacan.com/thesymptom/?page_id=2787
My argument is totally with Dabashi, at the same time recognizing the Zabala’s right of his own opinion, and so for Zizek. What he says about Wang Hui misses the point: i was not discussing Wang Hui’s arguments (which i find always sophisticated), but the fact that Wang Hui is one of the many non-Western philosophers i mentioned as an entry point to a wide world of thoughts constantly silenced and overtaken by European philosophers and philosophies.