On Philosophical Colonialism

Abstract

The phrase “philosophical colonialism” seems to be used in many contexts with seemingly different meanings. This prompts the need to consider its possible meanings in order to discern its primary and secondary ones. This essay aims to discuss four possible meanings: 1. Philosophical colonialism as the view that Western Philosophy or western philosophical ideas are or should be considered superior in contrast with other philosophical traditions or ideas; 2. Philosophical colonialism as the justification of Western colonialism; 3. Philosophical colonialism as the view that considers that philosophy as a scholarly research field should be the dominant one or that certain philosophical ideas are dominant in a system of thought; 4. Philosophical colonialism as the domination by argumentative means. The first two are considered primary meanings, since they are linked to the historical phenomenon of colonialism, and the last two are considered secondary ones.