Hountondji carved out a place in the field of african philosophy largely on the strength of his major work, african philosophy. Transcending the boundaries between myth and reality introduction it is an acknowledged fact that the literature on social history and anthropology is replete with varying and bewildering instances of the projections of western cultural superiority. Messay kebede is professor of philosophy, university of dayton, usa. A bibliography of online papers in africanafricana philosophy. There is a common belief among whites that philosophy originates with the greeks. The specific concept of narrative in african philosophy and its value for crosscultural understanding will surface often and be developed in several ways throughout the book. Thus, this notion privileges the greeks as the originators of philosophy, the highest of the sciences. African philosophy construed as a spontaneous, unreflective, collectiveworldview. The meaning and nature of african philosophy in a globalising world international journal of humanities social sciences and education ijhsse page 88 philosophy would be nothing more than asking and offering rational explanations of the universe. His publications include postcolonial african philosophy. Maspero 1976 african philosophy, myth and reality, bloomington. A critical examination of the igbo views on knowledge, belief, and justification the idea of african epistemology just like the larger discourse of african philosophy especially in its early beginnings still faces some challenges. Published 712004 first published in city press, july, 2004 there is a common belief among whites that philosophy originates with the greeks.
Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers such as placide tempels and alexis kagame that there is an indigenous, collective african philosophy separate and distinct from the western philosophical tradition. However, recent research shows that wonder may have different subsets. Hountondji published by indiana university press hountondji, paulin j. Again, both concepts offer a perspective for an interpretation of the world and the mysteries and phenomena of existence in general. Fallacies in moral philosophy, by stuart hampshire. An african philosophy of history for african unity. African sage philosophy stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. There is a serious problem with this line of reasoning. African sage philosophy is the name now commonly given to the body of thought produced by persons considered wise in african communities, and more specifically refers to those who seek a rational foundation for ideas and concepts used to describe and view the world by critically examining the justification of those ideas and concepts. Black matriarchy appears to have caused the downfall of the black family, depending on who you ask.
This particular myth results from scientific racism about black family life. Africana philosophy stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Africanafricana philosophy bibliography philpapers. Myth and reality 19761996 has seen such massive ruptures in. African philosophy, second edition indiana university press. List of books and articles about african philosophy online. Maurice muhatia makumba 2007 paulines publications africa. It situates him in the dialogue with his african colleagues and explores links to current debates in philosophy, cultural studies and postcolonialism. Accepted 4 january, 2012 myths are accounts of the origin of societies and institutions not subject to rationalization but often. Jaja institute of foundation studies, rivers state university of science and technology, p. This is found in the african philosophical tradition. Thought about thought african philosophy, myth and reality. Indeed, the relationship between the two is one of mutual influence. Choice in this incisive, original exploration of the nature and future of african philosophy, paulin j.
Philosophy, mythology and an african cosmological system. It is this fragmentation that an african philosophy of history tries to address. One particular subject that many african philosophers have written about is that on the subject of. This book is an attempt by a mental slave to appease his masters by denoucing the reality of an african philosophy that is different from european and asian philosophy. The volume is heavily weighted towards contemporary african intellectuals, and draws heavily from regional african philosophies such as those in ghana, nigeria, and uganda. At the university, henry odera oruka 19441995 popularized the term sage philosophy project, and closely related terms such as philosophic sagacity, both by initiating a project of interviewing african sages, and by naming this project in. Itis tofind out why certain western authors, followed and this is more serious by african authors, should from a certain time onwards have felt the need to look for such a. The folds in paulin hountondjis african philosophy, myth. Daniel becquemont 2011 studies in history and philosophy of science part c. Jun 16, 2014 there is a common belief among whites that philosophy originates with the greeks. This text answers yes to both of these questions and deals with the question of human freedom and the problem of liberation in the context of postcolonial contemporary africa. Culture influences philosophy by providing it with the basic materials for reflection, while philosophy influences culture by posing a critique, in various ways, of its foundation. Africana philosophy is the name for an emergent and still developing field of ideas and ideaspaces, intellectual endeavors, discourses, and discursive networks within and beyond academic philosophy that was recognized as such by national and international organizations of professional philosophers, including the american philosophical association, starting in the 1980s. Paulin j hountondji in this seminal exploration of the nature and future of african philosophy, paulin j.
The meaning and nature of african philosophy in a globalising. It introduces themes in african philosophy of religion, which is an area not often referred to in african philosophy, let alone in textbooks in philosophy of religion. The idea is so common that almost all of the books on philosophy start with the greeks as if the greeks predated all other people when it came to discussion of concepts of beauty, art, numbers, sculpture, medicine of social organization. Outlaw see the reading by him mentions other suggested classifications. Home browse philosophy western philosophy african philosophy. In this incisive, original exploration of the nature and future of african philosophy, paulin j. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The folds in paulin hountondjis african philosophy, myth and reality article pdf available in philosophical papers 391.
Hountondji contends that ideological manifestations of this view that stress the. His teaching and research interests are in critical social theory, modern european philosophy, and africana philosophy. John contehmorgan is a professor in the department. Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers such as. African philosophy is an attempt by philosophers to make the folklores, myth, sooth sayings, religion, education, socio political organizations and other aspects of the african culture relevant to. African philosophy general the basics of philosophy. A critical reader 1997, and race and the enlightenment 1996, both with blackwell publishers.
Hountondji translated from the french by henri evans with the collaboration of. By molefi kete asante first published in city press, july, 2004 there is a common belief among whites that philosophy originates with the greeks. Many readers and anthologies, introductions, and other paedagogical publications have. This paper enters the debate by suggesting that african psychology is both myth and reality, conceived in the above terms. Paulin hountondji is one of the most prominent african philosophers of the.
The meaning and nature of african philosophy in a globalising world kanu ikechukwu anthony. This book provides an excellent orientation to, and a logical development of, the major trends and issues that have dominated discussions in african philosophy since the publication of placide tempels bantu philosophy in 1945. Discover librarianselected research resources on african philosophy from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals, magazines, newspapers and more. An african philosopher in germany in the eighteenth century. In platos theaetetus, socrates suggests that philosophy begins with wonder. This is a precious gem of a book for anyone who wishes to reflect on civilization and culture.
History of african philosophy internet encyclopedia of. Reflections on philosophy, culture and democracy in africa 1997. Philosophy and african development african books collective. Some have seen africans as not having the capacity to reason on the. African philosophy, myth and reality 1974 philpapers. The african philosophy of history will be situated in african ontology, anthropology, archeology, and proverbial sage philosophy, and by so doing establish the philosophical and cultural unity of africa. The volume is heavily weighted towards contemporary african intellectuals, and draws heavily from regional african philosophies such as those in. The idea is so common that almost all of the books on philosophy start with the greeks as. Hence, philosophy is a universal discipline whose quest is to understand life which is common to all humans though with different approach and method. The sage philosophy project began in the mid1970s at the department of philosophy of the university of nairobi kenya. Renegotiating ethics in literature, philosophy, and theory. Myth and reality, one of the most influential books on african philosophy. This book gives an overview of hountondjis philosophical arguments and the historical and political background of his intellectual oeuvre.
This article traces the history of systematic african philosophy from the early 1920s to date. African philosophers may be found in the various academic fields of philosophy, such as metaphysics, epistemology, moral philosophy, and political philosophy. The african philosophy reader is an excellent collection of essays, and is intended for undergraduates and beginners in african philosophy. Furthermore, the period in between the first and second editions of african philosophy. African philosophy, what traditions and resources it should draw upon, and to whom it should be dedicated. Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers. In other words, african philosophy has gone beyond the debate on its existence or reality and is practically demarcated from myth. African philosophy is a disputed term, partly because it is not clear if it refers to philosophies with a specifically african theme or context such as distinctively african perceptions of time, personhood, etc. What is here called crosscultural understanding is itself a kind of compara. Search for library items search for lists search for. Hountondji accuses oruka of working with an unacceptable definition of african philosophy and in. The idea is so common that almost all of the books on philosophy start with the greeks as if the greeks predated all other people when it came to discussion of concepts of beauty, art, numbers, sculpture, medicine. The idea is so common that almost all of the books on philosophy start with the greeks as if the greeks predated all other people when it came to discussion of concepts of beauty, art, numbers, sculpture, medicine of.
As this work opens a new aperture in the study of the philosophy of religion, it is hoped that it would generate further interest in the study of african philosophy of religion. Based on extensive research in primary and secondary sources and on field research in ghana, including more than 40 interviews, and applying her formidable expertise in african history, philosophy, historical anthropology and religious studies, dr louise muller has produced a superb analysis of the history and transformation of the roles of chieftaincy in the religious institutions, rituals. It is accessible and handy to a wider range of readers, ranging from educators and students of african philosophy, anthropology, african studies, cultural studies, and all those concerned with the further development of african philosophy and thought systems on the african continent. African philosophy many of the greatest thinkers of the modern era, including david hume, immanuel kant, and thomas jefferson, considered africans and their descendants to be so intellectually handicapped as to make them philosophical invalids, incapable of moral and scientific reasoning. Has africa anything of value to offer contemporary philosophy. Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers such as placide temples and alexis kagame that there is an indigenous, collective african philosophy, separate and distinct from the western philosophical tradition. Paulin hountondji, african philosophy, myth and reality. African philosophy of law 52 william idowu african philosophy of law. This paper is an attempt to harp on the ontology of african philosophy. An annotated bibliography of the recent studies on african philosophy. Studies in history and philosophy of biological and biomedical sciences 42 1.
Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers such as placide tempels and alexis kagame that there is an indigenous, collective african philosophy separate and. This belief aims to blame the disenfranchised for the way their families are arranged. Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers such as placide tempels and. Africana by kwame anthony appiah, the dictionary of global culture. It is another sad defense of why african people cannot do or even think without a european or asian guide. In this seminal exploration of the nature and future of african philosophy, paulin j. African philosophy is the philosophical discourse produced by indigenous africans and their descendants, including african americans. Another version regards it as an obvious reality, in that there is a substantial body of psychological literature that originates in the african context and is engaged with african issues and problems. Aug 17, 2007 from city press column an african origin of philosophy.
Myth and reality african systems of thought 2 by paulin j. It leaves the task of conservation to matter books, documents, archives, etc. African sage philosophy internet encyclopedia of philosophy. Knowledge of africa, knowledge by africans openedition journals. Myth and reality african systems of thought 9780253210968. The african people may have religion and myths, but not philosophy, according to this reasoning. African philosopher should learn from the traditions, tales, myths and proverbs of his people, so as to draw from them the laws of a true african wisdom complementary to the other forms. Paulin hountondji, african philosophy, myth and reality 1974. Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers such as placide tempels and alexis kagame that there. Reflections on philosophy, culture, and democracy in africa ohio lancien.
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