Ashis Nandy, one of the leading scholars in post-colonialism, follows the tradition shaped by Frantz Fanon, Homi K. Bhabha and the like, that colonialism exists in many forms. We may escape from one kind of colonialism, but find ourselves trapped into another kind at the same time.

The thesis he wrote in 1983, The Intimate Enemy: Loss and Recovery of Self under Colonialism, has become an often quoted work in this field and was translated into Chinese, too. Part of the translated text appears in a textbook for cultural and social studies under the chapter of Understanding Colonialism and Nationalism. His most original thought in this work is his analysis on the complexes people experience after having been freed from colonial rule. He explains that these complexes usually lead to a second-time colonialism, which is more of a spiritual and cultural type than a physical one. They result in changes in thoughts, sense of values, and of course, that of identity, which in turn, give rise to a different kind of sense of self that is western and also non-western.

He is of course critical of this and is keen on showing a new direction to colonized countries as well as the colonizers, which are mostly western countries, how to create a future that is built beyond the mainstream western linear and scientific logic. He made this view clear in a paper published in 1996, Alternative Science, reminding readers of the world to understand the benefit of having diverse options and alternatives. Apart from this ideal of alternative future, he also promotes truth, peace and co-existence. Of course, to him, these things are interrelated. For example, peace can only derive from the courage of facing truth, which is based on learning about facts in history, and peace can only be achieved through the understanding of the importance of the interdependent relationship of all beings on earth. His contribution is not only in theory but also in real life as this view has been adopted in resolving the conflicts between Israelis and the Palestinians over the West Bank. .

He resides in India and holds key positions in various organizations dealing with the future development in cultural and social affairs. His lectures at TKU will certainly inspire similar discussions in Taiwan. (~ Ying-hsueh Hu )