Eurocentrism in Sociology: Critique and Alternatives

Abstract

This article examines the problem of Eurocentrism in sociology and seeks to critically evaluate the features of the established sociological canon. The analysis is based on the rapidly developing perspective of decolonising sociology, as well as the theoretical approaches of academic dependency and epistemic injustice. This article argues that Eurocentrism remains a key factor determining the development of sociology and often remains ignored. This article argues that epistemic injustice – where female sociologists, non-white male sociologists, and entire sociological traditions outside the Western world are erased from the history of sociology, and where research methodology is overly Eurocentric – hinders the development of a global, pluralistic sociology. The article presents different trajectories of sociological development proposed by scholars, such as the mosaic system of knowledge, pluriversal sociology, connected sociologies, and global sociology. These perspectives are based on the idea that the world is made up of interconnected and interdependent historical experiences, and therefore sociological research should reflect this interconnectedness. The article argues that reflecting on eurocentrism as a problem is a necessary condition for the development of future global sociology. In Lithuania, this reflection is hampered not only by the fact that the existing canon of sociological research and teaching is often perceived as established and unquestionable, but also by the fact that Lithuanian sociology is characterised by a European self-identification.