Talking About Organizations Podcast 124: Postcolonial Theory -- Anshuman Prasad (Summary of Episode)
Apr 8, 2025
Dive into Anshuman Prasad's insightful critique of postcolonial theory and its relevance in organizational analysis. Explore how Baconian science and European worldviews imposed dominance over non-Western societies. The discussion sheds light on the enduring effects of colonial legacies, revealing cross-cultural challenges in contemporary thought. It's a thought-provoking look at how history shapes our current scientific and organizational landscapes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Postcolonial Theory's Focus
- Postcolonial theory examines how Western worldviews became dominant through colonialism.
- This domination persists despite many former colonies gaining independence.
Science as Colonial Tool
- Prasad argues that science, particularly Baconian science, was a tool of colonial expansion.
- Europeans believed their philosophies and scientific methods were superior, justifying colonization.
Colonization Justification
- Prasad uses European philosophers' work to show how they justified colonization.
- This was done under the guise of 'civilizing' other societies, linking knowledge to power.