BOOK REVIEW | Elegant work in its own class

COMMENT | The 19th century was marked by the consequences of the Peace of Westphalia, the rise of nationalism and ethnocentrism in Europe, and the emergence of Communism.

It also saw British imperialism in Malaya and Singapore, where Philosophy served to guide colonial management.

The Straits Philosophical Society hosted discussions on race, identity, and colonialism, against the backdrop of Structuralism and Social Darwinism of this epoch in modern world history.

Almost a decade ago, I was made aware of this work on Colonial History by one of Asia’s most prolific social scientists Lim Teck Ghee, who conceived it as a commentary of essays.

Today, after almost 50 years, the much-awaited collection of the writings of the colonial elites of the Straits Philosophical Society has come to elegant fruition.

The volume is an admirable academic labour of love that began with...