WESTERN EPISTEMOLOGY

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To counter Western epistemology's tendency to assume only European history is authentic and scientific, scholars are using postcolonial and decolonial frameworks to broaden historical understanding. They achieve this by re-examining evidence from non-European sources and focusing on neglected narratives from a global perspective. This approach acknowledges the interconnected nature of global history, revealing how non-Western civilizations were active participants in and initiators of historical change, rather than just passive subjects. 

Critiques of Eurocentric history

Academics have identified several problematic features of Eurocentric historical narratives: 

• Marginalization: Non-European histories are often downplayed or treated as less significant to the story of "human progress."
• Exclusionary definitions of knowledge: Traditional Western epistemology tends to privilege rational and empirical forms of knowledge while dismissing oral histories, mythology, and indigenous knowledge systems as unscientific.
• Selective narratives: The "European miracle" and the rise of the West are often portrayed as an autonomous, self-generated process, ignoring the significant contributions and influences from Eastern civilizations.
• Teleological bias: History is framed as having a predetermined, linear path culminating in the achievements of Western civilization, with other cultures positioned as static or underdeveloped. 

Non-Western sources as authentic historical evidence

Scholars are addressing these biases by integrating a wider range of sources into their research. Examples relevant to early Southeast Asian maritime history include: 

• Chinese historical texts: Third-century Chinese historians like Wan Chen provide descriptions of the advanced, open-ocean ships (Kunlun po) built and sailed by people from Southeast Asia, challenging the notion that only Western societies possessed sophisticated seafaring technology.
• Indian Ocean sources: Persian and Arabic sources, such as the writings of al-Kindi and al-Biruni, document the existence of an ancient iron-producing hub in Kedah, providing evidence of early Southeast Asian manufacturing and its role in regional and Roman trade networks.
• Myths and oral traditions: Research like that done by Keith Taylor on Madagascar analyzes Malayo-Polynesian myths to gain insight into the historical events of its early settlement, legitimizing non-Western narrative forms as historical sources.
• Archaeology and linguistics: Archaeological finds and comparative linguistics confirm the technological capabilities (advanced sail types, shipbuilding) and the widespread influence of ancient Southeast Asian, specifically Malay, sailors across the Indian Ocean. 

Reframing historical narratives

This approach shifts the focus from a purely Eurocentric perspective to a more inclusive, globally interconnected narrative. Instead of viewing historical events in isolation, historians can analyze the complex, multidirectional exchanges between civilizations that shaped the course of human history. 

By expanding the definition of "authentic" historical evidence beyond written European archives, scholars are not only reclaiming marginalized histories but also constructing a more comprehensive, accurate, and scientifically rigorous understanding of the past. 

C&P: 18/11/2025: 6.52 p.m