Rescuing the Enlightenment from the Europeans: Critical Theories of Decolonization

Postcolonial studies challenge the established canon and broaden the concept of critique. It examines the economic, socio-political, and intellectual legacies of colonialism and how these enduring influences continue to shape the contemporary world. Despite its contributions, the field is facing growing criticism from various quarters, questioning its methodologies, focus, and relevance in addressing current global issues. It has been described as anti-rational, anti-universalism, Eurocentric, and even antisemitic. In my talk, I will examine how postcolonial studies contributes to rethinking the nature and scope of critical thought by addressing these serious concerns. I will demonstrate that such characterizations often stem from misunderstandings of the project of decolonization and argue that criticizing the Enlightenment and its legacies does not necessarily entail rejecting them, nor does engaging with Enlightenment principles mean endorsing them unconditionally. My central thesis is this: Unlike the decolonial approach, which views decolonization as an "epistemic delinking" from modernity, and in contrast to those who argue that criticism of the Enlightenment automatically leads to normative nihilism, I contend that it is indeed possible to "employ the master’s tools to dismantle the master’s house" (Lorde).