The Problem of Epistemological Critique in Decolonial Theory

Among the various approaches to intellectual decolonization, the Decoloniality Theory of Prof Walter Mignolo and others has emerged as especially influential in the last few years. Dr Veeran Naicker outlines his concerns about this body of theory. Much of what it says about indigenous epistemologies, including Western epistemology, amounts to distortive stereotyping. In addition, it embodies philosophical errors. While officially embracing epistemological relativism, and originally offering its conceptualizations as capturing the specificity of colonialism in Latin America, it simultaneously presents its narrative as a universal account of colonialism worldwide. Rather than constituting Leftist social critique, Decoloniality Theory troublingly incorporates aspects of far-right political discourse.

[@obtuse_one]

I am an undergrad whose never taken a course that talks about post-colonialism before. I sort of know a little bit about philosophy because I watch pop-philosophy videos on KZbin sometimes. I just wanted to use Deleuze in a paper, cause he seems kind of cool, but in the process of research was informed that "deleuze in post-colonialism" is problematic. This started me down a seemingly never-ending rabbit hole. I've read a few books, several papers, most of which are people much smarter than me accusing each other of being problematic. I was even introduced to the concept of "non-philosophy" as a possible method of keeping things "connected to the real" which felt nice cause I was like "oh hey, cool, so it doesn't have to be so beyond a normal person (ie not a PhD specialist who knows all your jargon - dont freak out because I said "normal" so problematic!) . But hey, that very same paper said "oh well actually maybe this can be problematic too." Now here I am, watching this video, it turns out the entire field might be problematic and reproducing colonialism. Ok. I fucking give up man. I give up. I am never taking any courses related to critical theory or postcolonial course again. Good luck with your "project" nerds. You've lost the fucking plot.

[@beaudry-hz8lk]

LOL

[@Grappapappa]

I am a Finn and we were colonized by Russia. I demand the rewriting of everything ever written.