Colonial Modernity and Social Suffering in Taiwan: Examining Quality of Life and Well-Being of Marginalized Groups in the Anthropocene

This study investigates the mechanisms of social suffering within Taiwan's colonial modernity context. Focusing on empirical research, homelessness, and the COVID-19 pandemic, it aims to elucidate the interrelations among colonial modernity, social inequality, and social suffering, with particular emphasis on educational aspects and their significant impact on the quality of life and well-being of contemporary Taiwan's marginalized groups.

The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining historical analysis and case studies with qualitative analysis. Data sources include relevant literature, archival records, and semi-structured interviews. Critical discourse analysis and grounded theory are utilized to interpret the collected data.

Preliminary findings indicate:1. Taiwan's colonial modernity has an intrinsic affinity with inequality, especially in education, systematically generating social suffering;2. Suffering groups are not passive subjects but demonstrate agency in their social interactions;3. Social suffering plays a functional role in maintaining social operations, albeit at the cost of its continuous reproduction.

By examining long-term trends of colonial influences on social structures, recent developments in urban marginalization, and future prospects for addressing systemic inequalities, this study contributes to understanding quality of life and well-being in the Anthropocene. Through exploring recent disaster events like the fire incident in Taiwan, it reveals historically rooted social suffering and provides opportunities for social reflection and potential transformation.

This research aims to provide profound insights into the complex nature of social suffering in modern society, offering valuable references for future social science research and potentially informing policy-making to improve structural inequalities and well-being of marginalized groups.