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Beyond decolonizing: global intellectual history and reconstruction of a comparative method

Dag Herbjørnsrud

Global Intellectual History, May 2019, Taylor & Francis

DOI: 10.1080/23801883.2019.1616310

Beyond decolonizing: reconstructing a

global comparative perspective

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Photo by Al Soot on Unsplash

What is it about?
In the 21st century, there are new calls to reject the constrictions of ‘cultural
boundaries’ and 'methodological nationalism.' This text demonstrates ‘a commitment
to a global comparative perspective.’ It proposes a global comparative method
consistent with Arthur B. Lovejoy's statement that ‘ideas are the most migratory
things in the world’. The examples cover Mo Zi, Herodotus, Aristotle, Al-Biruni, Dara
Shukoh, Maya philosophy, Hajime Nakamura, and more.

Why is it important?
The calls for decolonizing the academy has increased since the Rhodes Must Fall
movement began in Cape Town in March 2015. But how to decolonize? By proposing
a methodological draft for a global intellectual history - building on the works of
Lovejoy, Nakamura, Spivak, Ngugi wa Thiong'o etc - this paper argues that a
reconstruction of a global and comparative perspective is a fruitful way forward in
order to move beyond nationalist, colonial, Eurocentric, and ethnocentric narratives.

Perspectives
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DH Dag Herbjørnsrud (Author)

Center for Global and Comparative History of Ideas (SGOKI)

I hope this article can be read as an introduction to decolonizing the academy and as
one possible starting point towards 'a commitment to a global comparative
perspective' (Anette B. Weiner). From the article: "Hence, the recent calls for the
decolonization of scholarly institutions can be regarded as a challenge to a colonial,
imperial, and nationalist ideology that is ingrained in the modern academy, which
was established during the hey-day of colonialism and racism." By using examples
from all continents, and by rejecting the constrictions in the notion of 'culture', I
intend to contribute to more global perspectives within several disciplines.

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PDF generated on 16-May-2019

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