This document discusses decolonization and the influence of Western colonialism. It begins by defining colonialism and decolonization, noting that decolonization aims to free societies from Western ideological influences imposed during colonization. It then outlines the major developments in the West from the 16th to 20th centuries that spread Western influence globally, including the Renaissance, Scientific Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and growth of technology. Two influential Western philosophers, Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes, are examined for their views that promoted human domination over nature. The document then explores approaches to decolonization, including emphasizing independent local knowledge, sustainable development practices, and the Philosophy of Sejahtera in Malaysia that promotes balanced progress. It concludes that building a strong

1. PHILOSOPHY &
CURRENT ISSUES
Topic 8: Decolonisation
By Fadhilah Raihan Lokman
SLAS, Taylor’s University

2. Learning Outcome
Explaining the
important
developments that
took place in the West
affecting people's
thoughts and attitudes
towards the
environment
Explaining the
phenomenon of
natural destruction -
starting from the
philosophy of Francis
Bacon and the
philosophy of Rene
Decartes
Explaining
decolonization
according to the mold
and approach of the
Philosophy of
Sejahtera
Fadhilah Raihan Lokman
SLAS, Taylor’s University

3. DEFINITION OF COLONIALISM
What is the meaning of colonialism?
• Society is influenced by colonizers either physically, materially,
mentally, intellectually or through their thoughts.
• The west has been successful in spreading its influence
globally- known as Western Powers/Western Colonization
throughout the world.
What is the meaning of decolonization?
• Derives from the word “colonial”
• To free oneself from the influence of colonizers/colony.
• This is due to the fact that during the colonization of the West,
societies in the past were exposed to modernization that was
shaped according to western ideologies and perspectives.
Fadhilah Raihan Lokman
SLAS, Taylor’s University

4. Colonial influences still exist in our society to this
day.
In fact, the thoughts of Western philosophers in
the past have also influenced human behavior to
the point of impacting and destroying the
environment to this day.

5. Fadhilah Raihan Lokman
SLAS, Taylor’s University
16
th
Century
17
th
Century
18
th
Century
19
th
Century
INFLUENCE OF COLONISATION

6. 16th Century (1501 – 1600 CE)
Renaissance Era
• Medieval Thoughts (traditional) shifted to liberal
thoughts- largely referred to Greek philosophers who
were prominent in philosophy, art & literature and
thoughts.
• Era or of revival which originated from Italy.
• The era encouraged the principle of using one’s
thoughts or thinking to solve problems.
• Also known as Renaissance Humanism
• The beginning of Western Secularization
Fadhilah Raihan Lokman
SLAS, Taylor’s University

7. 17th Century (1601 – 1700 CE)
Advancement of Scientific Revolution
• The advancement of Scientific Revolution
which is currently the root or foundation of
science and technology
• The basis of science which has developed and
progressed till now and the future.
• The Western world pillar of strength.
Fadhilah Raihan Lokman
SLAS, Taylor’s University

8. 18th Century
Industrial Revolution in Britain
• Spread to other areas like France, Germany, The Netherlands
(Holland) and so on.
• Characteristics of Modernity
• Revolution of Thought occurred- the existence of Movement
of Enlightenment (Age of Enlightenment) in Europe
• Prominent philosophers like Immanuel Kant, John Locke &
David Hume contributed the ideas of rational and scientific
thoughts (R&S).
• R&S thoughts were able to gloriously develop the European
civilization.
• A secular thinking orientation that prioritizes S&T and
rational thinking
Fadhilah Raihan Lokman
SLAS, Taylor’s University

9. 19th Century
Second Industrial Revolution in Britain
• A greater revolution that incorporated improvement of
technology, telecommunication and information
technology (IT), computers, cars (automotive), machinery,
electricity (power industry) and knowledge in physics.
• Science and Technology were combined to produce
state-of-the-art technological inventions that have
progressed to this century.
• This led to the advancement in the areas of computer
science, computer technology and the internet.
• The West possess new scientific, technology and military
power.
Fadhilah Raihan Lokman
SLAS, Taylor’s University

10. 20th Century
Development of
Technology Continues
• The trend of technology
development continues to grow
to give birth to new technologies
such as:
• Computer science
• Computer technology
• Internet technology and others
Fadhilah Raihan Lokman
SLAS, Taylor’s University
These developments in
the West later influence
the culture of society and
the development of
history throughout the
world
The influence and
development in the West
was spread throughout
the world through the
process of colonialism.

11. The Ideas of
Western
Philosophers

12. • English Philosopher
• Born in London, January 22,
1561
• Lawyer and Judge
• Produced writings on
philosophy using scientific,
empirical and inductive
approaches
• Francis Bacon’s philosophy was
the reformation of human
knowledge, with the intent to
put it into practice and use it for
the benefit of humankind
FRANCIS BACON

13. The purpose of knowledge and knowledge generation is not only:
• To create an understanding of nature
• To satisfy a need for knowledge or intellectual curiosity
But Bacon has brought new approaches to knowledge towards:
• A more practical direction
• Relating it to nature
• Bringing a new attitude in the search for human knowledge in
relation to nature
This is different from the Eastern Philosophy – Taoism where
mankind must live with flow of nature and not against it
FRANCIS BACON
PHILOSOPHY

14. According
to
Bacon
Man and
nature are in
a constant
state of
conflict, with
nature
always
winning.
To
solve
this:
Use
knowledge
to develop
technology
Mankind
must take
control over
nature

15. House of Solomon:
Scientific investigation to create technologies
in solving mankind problems.
Which led to revolution of:
• Agriculture field - Example: He conducted
an experiment and found that water is the
principal requirement for plant. If the same
crop is cultivated for many times fertility is
lost.
• Engineering field - The laws of science are
discovered by gathering and analyzing
data from experiments and observations,
rather than by using logic-based
arguments.
THE NEW ATLANTIS

16. French Philosopher
Born in Touraine, March 31, 1596
Scientist, Philosopher, Mathematician
Father of Modern Philosophy
• This title is justified due both to his
break with the traditional
Scholastic-Aristotelian philosophy
prevalent at his time and to his
development and promotion of the
new, mechanistic sciences.
Rene Descartes

17. Nature is neutral
• Lifeless and dead
• Can be treated as desired
Nature can be exploited
• Nature is similar to lifeless man
• Can be treated as desired by those who are living
René Descartes, argues that there are two kinds of foundation:
mental and physical. This philosophy states that the mental
can exist outside of the body, and the body cannot think.
Spiritual aspect is non-existence.
Rene Descartes Philosophy

18. How Do Free Ourselves
From The Influence Of
Western Colonization?

19. Independent (local) knowledge
without foreign influence
• Foreign influences ruin the environment.
• Western thoughts do not consider local knowledge – West
perceives non-western thoughts as inferior to theirs.
• To shift the concept of development to sustainable
development which is more balanced and does not prioritize
GDP over the impact of development on environment.
• To utilize one’s intellectual capacity based on own
understanding and thoughts.
Fadhilah Raihan Lokman
SLAS, Taylor’s University

20. First Principle of Rukun Negara
• To have faith and belief in God – religious elements
• God has appointed human beings as caliphs on this earth so
that they are responsible to maintain harmonious nature and
look after the environment proactively.
• Cited from the Holy Qur’an “Do not transgress limits”
• To have a balanced relationship with God, people and
environment/nature.
• Cited verse from Sura’ Al-Hadid – Humans are allowed to use
iron (source of nature), provided that it is done in the right way.
• To give the utmost consideration to nature and its harmony -
sustainable environment
Fadhilah Raihan Lokman
SLAS, Taylor’s University

21. Philosophy of Sejahtera
• National Education Philosophy (FPK) with balanced aspect of
J.E.R.I
• Does not solely prioritize economic/material aspect of
development
• The need to have courses on “humanities” – To progress and
develop by taking human aspects into consideration
• Strategic realistic thought in handling universal problems
Fadhilah Raihan Lokman
SLAS, Taylor’s University
It is a philosophy that serves as a foundation for understanding
and direction in community and individual life toward a balanced
and comprehensive approach to well-being

22. CONCLUSION
Building a nation with a legitimate sense of self-identity is the first
step in achieving colonial freedom.
Fadhilah Raihan Lokman
SLAS, Taylor’s University

23. THANK YOU