Is philosophy too Western for its own good?

The article critiques Western philosophy's longstanding tendency to marginalize non-European traditions, reinforcing the notion that serious philosophical inquiry is confined to the West. Iconic philosophers like Kant, Heidegger, and Derrida exemplify this exclusionist mindset, with their comments suggesting that genuine philosophy is intrinsically European. This perspective persists in contemporary education, where curricula favor European thinkers while neglecting global intellectual traditions. Although works on Asian philosophy exist, they are typically produced by specialists and seldom integrated into mainstream philosophical discourse, highlighting the ongoing divide in philosophical studies.

Western philosophy has long had a habit of drawing a tight circle around itself, declaring that true philosophy happens only within its borders. For centuries, some of its most influential thinkers have dismissed the idea that deep, rigorous thought could flourish outside the West.

Take a closer look at the standard Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, and you'll hear their echo loud and clear. The curriculum offers a highly selective menu: a grand tour through Ancient Greek, Medieval, Modern, and Contemporary European thought.

Books and articles on Asian traditions exist, but they tend to be written by specialists—philosophers determined to bridge worlds that academia prefers to keep apart.

History isn't completely one-sided. Arthur Schopenhauer, the 19th-century German philosopher, stands out as an outlier.

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