Cognitive colonialism: Nationality bias in Brazilian academic philosophy. (19th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Seabra, Murilo Rocha; Prendergast, Luke; de Andrade Antunes, Gabriel Silveira; Tolton, Laura
• Is Part Of: Metaphilosophy. Volume 54:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 106
• Page End: 118
• Publication Date: 2023-01-19
• Subjects: Brazilian philosophy -- epistemic injustice -- geopolitics of knowledge -- implicit bias; Philosophy -- Periodicals; 105
• DOI: 10.1111/meta.12608
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0026-1068

Abstract

Abstract: This paper presents the results of an experiment designed to test for nationality bias among members of the Brazilian philosophical community. Faculty members and postgraduate students from philosophy departments at seven Brazilian universities evaluated texts attributed to authors of European and Latin American nationalities. Results showed a clear preference for French nationality over Brazilian. They were inconclusive, however, when contrasting other Latin American nationalities with European nationalities, which likely relates to the academic background of the participants. These overall results support the claim that Brazilian academic philosophers are highly critical of Brazilians who produce theories of their own. The paper calls on philosophers to carefully consider the ways in which Eurocentrism impacts their very ability to reason.