Beyond Reason: Postcolonial Theory and the Social Sciences

Sanjay Seth's book "Beyond Reason" challenges the idea of modern knowledge and the social sciences as universal, arguing that they are a product of Western modernity and have a parochial knowledge. It explores the disciplines of history and political science to examine their representations and relations with the past and politics, and questions their purpose and ways of understanding the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

For over a century, universities and governments have wielded a powerful influence over global populations through the dissemination of knowledge. This phenomenon first emerged in Europe during the early modern period and subsequently spread through colonialism. Modern Western knowledge was believed to possess a universal quality, applicable to all times and places, in contrast to pre-modern and non-Western forms of knowledge.

In his groundbreaking book, "Beyond Reason," Sanjay Seth challenges this notion by arguing that modern knowledge and the social sciences are products of Western modernity and claim a spurious universality. Seth draws upon and derives critical energies from postcolonial theory to explore various disciplines, including science studies, social history, art and music history, political science, and anthropology. Through his engaging analysis, Seth demonstrates that while the social sciences have a global impact, they cannot transcend the Western historical and cultural circumstances in which they emerged.

One defining characteristic of modern knowledge is its division into disciplines, each with its own object of inquiry and corresponding protocols. As such, questioning the purpose of such knowledge requires asking what disciplines serve. It also necessitates exploring the ways in which they facilitate understanding of the world and the limitations they impose.

Seth's book raises important questions about the role of the social sciences in our contemporary world. It challenges the notion of universal knowledge and prompts us to consider the specific historical and cultural contexts in which social scientific truths are produced. It encourages us to critically evaluate the claims made by social scientists and to ask what purpose they serve in our lives.

In conclusion, "Beyond Reason" is a thought-provoking and important book that challenges the universalist claims of modern knowledge and the social sciences. Sanjay Seth's analysis provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the nature and purpose of knowledge in our globalized world.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 235 x 156 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197688953