Was the British empire evil?

[Schizophonia]

7 hours ago, Ajay0 said:

India was a singular entity in religious scriptural history under emperor Yudhisthira, and in official recorded history as well  under the emperors Chandragupta Maurya (350–295 BCE), Bindusara (320 BCE – 273 BCE), Ashoka the Great(304 – 232 BCE),  Samudragupta (335–375 CE)and Vikramaditya  (375-415 CE) to name a few.

Adi Shankaracharya in the eighth century CE created four mathas or monasteries in the four distant corners of India showcasing its cultural unity.

This singular identity and sovereignty was used by Indian freedom fighters and leaders to project their future vision of India back then during the freedom struggle against western colonialism.

The Brits themselves were colonised by the Romans for centuries and the later Normans who now form the snobbish british upper class and suppressed the local english population. Much of the earlier Norman rulers of Britain only used French and did not even know english.

Through conquest of Ireland and Scotland, the norman rulers created the foundation of modern UK as well.

That doesn’t contradict what I said

[Elliott]

3 hours ago, Schizophonia said:

The “lack of empathy” is relative; for a Jain it's wrong even to crush a fly.

I remember a guy here (maybe it was you? I can't remember) told me that hunting was bad. Personally I think I don't give a fu** and whoever says that is just a wimp.

But what intellectual point is there in calling each other bad or conversely fragile? The closest thing to something objective with possible sociological value/use is the link between mental structures and social conditions; history in general.

I just mean toward people, no regard for a person, not "lack" of empathy but zero regard for a person. Evil is a social term, sociability being required for human survival, even though it is just intuitive, that is how the term is used. It's anti-human, 'inhumane', 'white devils'.

Edited 1 minute ago by Elliott

[enchanted]

4 hours ago, Leo Gura said:

Is the American empire evil?

Yes that is my question. What is more correct:  American (or European) Exceptionalism? Or should we all have white guilt? 

On one hand European culture brought the enlightenment and technology to the world. But on the other hand European empires were particularly oppressive to non whites. More oppressive than any non-white Empire to another non-white people or white people (has Hassan argues in the video) even Genghis Khan didn't treat his subjects as poorly as the British Empire.

[Leo Gura]

2 hours ago, enchanted said:

What is more correct:  American (or European) Exceptionalism? Or should we all have white guilt? 

Both are wrong.

You don't need exceptionalism nor guilt. Just understanding.

Empire is inherently evil because it is coercive and extractive. Violates the sovereignty of others for profit.

Edited just now by Leo Gura