Eurocentrism

Eurocentrism (also Eurocentricity or Western-centrism) refers to viewing the West as the center of world events or superior to other cultures. The exact scope of Eurocentrism varies from the entire Western world to just the continent of Europe or even more narrowly, to Western Europe (especially during the Cold War). When the term is applied historically, it may be used in reference to the presentation of the European perspective on history as objective or absolute, or to an apologetic stance toward European colonialism and other forms of imperialism.

The term “Eurocentrism” dates back to the late 1970s but it did not become prevalent until the 1990s, when it was frequently applied in the context of decolonization and development and humanitarian aid that industrialised countries offered to developing countries. The term has since been used to critique Western narratives of progress, Western scholars who have downplayed and ignored non-Western contributions, and to contrast Western epistemologies with indigenous epistemologies.

wikipedia/en/Eurocentrism

Eurocentric epistemology is the idea that European ways of knowing are superior and universally valid, leading to the marginalization and erasure of non-Western and Indigenous knowledge systems in a process known as epistemicide. It assumes that Western intellectual traditions, scientific methodologies, and philosophical frameworks are the only or best path to knowledge, often under the guise of progress or objectivity, which can perpetuate colonial power structures and global inequality.

• Centrality of European Experience: It posits that European historical, cultural, and social conditions are the most relevant or best models for understanding reality and knowledge for all people and places.
• Universalization of Western thought: It asserts that European philosophical and scientific traditions are universally applicable and superior to other forms of knowledge.
• Scientific Objectivity: Eurocentric epistemology often emphasizes scientific objectivity, value-neutrality, and a detachment from the knower, positioning these as the only valid ways to verify knowledge.
• Marginalization of other knowledges: It leads to the systematic sidelining, devaluation, and erasure of non-Western, Indigenous, and subaltern knowledge systems, a process called epistemicide.

Consequences

• Epistemic Injustice: Eurocentric epistemology creates epistemic injustice by devaluing or denying the knowledge and insights of non-Western and marginalized communities.
• Perpetuation of Colonialism: By framing Western knowledge as universal, it reinforces colonial power structures and hinders efforts to understand diverse ways of knowing and living in the world.
• Homogenization of Knowledge: It reduces the richness and plurality of global knowledge to a singular, Western-centric narrative, overshadowing diverse intellectual contributions.

Critique and Alternatives

• Decoloniality: Critics advocate for decolonial approaches, such as decentering egoand socio-centrism, to actively connect with and value other ways of being in the world.
• Pluriversality: The concept of a pluriverse or “pluriversal” understanding of knowledge suggests a planet with a diversity of worldviews, rather than one homogenized by a single Western narrative.