The most important characteristic of the eastern world view one could almost say the essence of it is the awareness of the unity and mutual interrelation of all things and events, the experience of all phenomena in the world as manifestations of a basic oneness. A number of african philosophers, such as henry odera oruka, kwasi wiredu, and in this volume dirk louw, show that interesting intermediate courses can be followed between these two extremes. Pdf ethnophilosophy, as a philosophical project, has had its fair. The text takes into account, in the form of quotations or referencing, the views of several other philosophers who have had something to say about african philosophy.
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. Since ethnophilosophy is an aspect of african philosophy, it is important to begin this. Pdf philosophical sagacity as conversational philosophy and its. An ethnic interest group or ethnic lobby, according to thomas ambrosio, is an advocacy group often a foreign policy interest group established along cultural, ethnic, religious or racial lines by an ethnic group for the purposes of directly or indirectly influencing the foreign policy of their resident country in support of the homeland andor ethnic kin abroad with which they identify. 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.
In this study we use the concepts of ethnophilosophy and descriptive metaphysics to. An ethnic group or ethnicity is a category of people who identify with each other, usually on the basis of a presumed common genealogy or ancestry or on similarities such as common language or dialect, history, society, culture or nation. In this revised and expanded edition, hord and lee build on the strengths of the earlier anthology while enriching the selection of readings to bring the text into the twentyfirst century. Ethnophilosophy or the genesis of african hermeneutics ethnophilosophy is the concept used to characterize the deduction of a collective african philosophy from a specific african culture1. Objectivist epistemology aspires to be realist, nonskeptical, nonauthoritarian and nonmystical. An advantage of the literal rule is that it forces judges to carry out parliaments intention. However, the pitfalls of one of the extremes, that of ethnophilosophy, are not easily avoided by a cultural discourse on african renaissance or ubuntu. Logical positivism, analytic method, and criticisms of. It is thus bound to be controversial, especially in that it straddles disciplines. The same conceptual scheme that locates af rican philosophy as a collective enterprise located in a subject lacking the ca pacity for critical self reflection also eliminates the productive tension between. These black intellectuals converged around issues of race identity and black internationalist initiatives to combat french imperialism. In building on the strengths of philosophic sagacity, the paper suggests a.
Criteria that distinguish it from ethnophilosophy and make it a unique approach within african philosophy. Africana philosophy stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. The article explores the criteria that distinguish kenyan philosopher henry odera orukas sage philosophy from ethnophilosophy and make it a unique approach within african philosophy. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. What is negritude negritude movement definition of. Views of some of the bestknown african philosophers, such as kwasi wiredu, paulin hountondji, h. African philosophers may be found in the various academic fields of philosophy, such as metaphysics, epistemology, moral philosophy, and political philosophy. Ethnophilosophy, as a philosophical project, has had its fair share of criticism. In this article, i contend that philosophical reactions against ethnophilosophy, especially the. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. A very short introduction ebook written by robert a. This was necessary for the application of gadamers philosophical hermeneutics which deals with understanding to african philosophy. Religions free fulltext transforming the conversation. In doing so, the voice of the african was articulated by him only, despite his mention of mudimbe.
Start your 48hour free trial to unlock this the hermeneutics of african philosophy study guide and get instant access to the following analysis. It can also provide certainty in law, when it can be. Ebscohost serves thousands of libraries with premium essays, articles and other content including sage philosophy. Odera oruka, as based upon hountondjis unfair appreciation of africas indigenous cultural heritage. African philosophy is the philosophical discourse produced by indigenous africans and their descendants, including african americans. Negritude is a cultural movement launched in 1930s paris by frenchspeaking black graduate students from frances colonies in africa and the caribbean territories. Precolonial africa was mostly made up of tribes who often migrated depending on seasons, availability of fertile soil, and political circumstances. In a new introduction, the editors reflect on the key arguments of the books central thesis, refining them in light of more recent philosophical discourse. Making strategies work msw establish clearly intended outcomes effects and plan actions causes that will. This is found in the african philosophical tradition. My grandma linda, who was always willing to challenge and test my points of view, teaching me the value of a good argument and the need for evidence. One of the principal sources of african ethnophilosophy was the french philosopher lucien levybruhl 1857 1939. Philosophical perspectives on communalisn and morality in african. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext.
Odera orukas four trends in african philosophy and their. While the opportunities, experiences and challenges. 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. The amount of polyethnicity prevalent in current society has spurred some arguments against it, which include a belief that it leads to the weakening of each societys strengths, and also a belief that politicalethnic issues in countries with polyethnic populations are. A critique 187 page 187 of 20 in this paper, an attempt is made to discuss the basis and theoretical constitution of orukas. Ethnomathematics ethnomathematicology ethnomathematics or ethnomathematicology is relatively new as a field of research. They think of minds as being very different from material objects, and of the latter as being very. The term ethno philosophy was first used by kwame nkrumah and was. More specifically, the only effects of actions that are relevant are the good. This is a body of materials combining marxist social and economic theories with negritudes politics of difference. The first four are the generally well known and well explained schools of african philosophy. Pdf true 9780826220288 9780826273277 884266341 814. Therefore, power was decentralized in precolonial africa many people held some form of authority as such power was not concentrated in a particular person or an institution. Formative assessment output free download as powerpoint presentation.
African sage philosophy stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. The former insist that african philosophy cannot reasonably. Scribd is the worlds largest social reading and publishing site. The meaning of the term ethnophilosophy has evolved in both a significant and controversial variety of ways since it was first introduced by paulin hountondji in 1970. Historical and current perspectives on the study of africa instructor. At the heart of the controversy about the nature of african philosophy is the debate between particularists and universalists.
Ethnophilosophy is the study of indigenous philosophical systems. The late kenyan philosopher, henry odera oruka, identified six schools of thought on what african philosophy is or could be, namely, ethno philosophy, philosophic sagacity, nationalisticideological philosophy, professional philosophy, hermeneutic philosophy, and artistic or literary philosophy. Ethnophilosophy, african ethnophilosophy refers to bodies of belief and knowledge that have philosophical relevance and which can be redescribed in terms drawn from academic philosophy, but which have not been consciously formulated as philosophy by philosophers. Learning from african theologians and their hermeneutics. Mircea vulcanescu, romanian national identity, romanian nationalism. This work was able to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. As an addendum to this, it is also suggested here that the narrow nature of the false descriptive methodology of mainstream african philosophy which is based on the more subtle implications of ethnophilosophy be at the very least, deemphasised. Project muse ethnophilosophy, comparative philosophy. Jul 01, 2004 logical positivism, analytic method, and criticisms of ethnophilosophy logical positivism, analytic method, and criticisms of ethnophilosophy ikuenobe, polycarp 20040701 00. Cultural universals and particulars book pdf download. Ethnophilosophy of education draws on sources of knowledge such as customs traditions, lifestyles, myths folklores, languages, beliefs, artefacts and histories of different african cultures. He refers to the african condition without actually describing and explaining what this condition means.
Henry odera oruka and the question of methodology in african philosophy. On the critics of ethnophilosophy, whom he calls professional philosophers, it would. The late kenyan philosopher, henry odera oruka, identified six schools of thought on what african philosophy is or could be, namely, ethnophilosophy, philosophic sagacity, nationalisticideological philosophy, professional philosophy, hermeneutic philosophy, and artistic or literary philosophy. Despite such denouncements, ethnophilosophy remains as an exploration into myriad of. Far from suggesting ethnophilosophy as a model for the philosophy of the future, i intend to rethink certain themes of ethnophilosophy and contrast them with disciplines such as comparative philosophy and pragmatism. The question sets the proper stage for revealing the strengths and side 4 africas quest for a phiwsophy of decolonization. Pdf the sense in which ethnophilosophy can remain relevant.
Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. By focusing the energy on the telos of such a dialogue, one can begin to see the strengths and limits to their. In what follows, kanu reveals how igwebuike is an eclectic ontologicoexistential trend in african philosophy. The author emphasizes that sage philosophy is both philosophical and interdisciplinary, in that it also makes. Ethnophilosophy, according to him was presented as philosophy while actually it. Like other forms of consequentialism, its core idea is that whether actions are morally right or wrong depends on their effects.
In this article, i shall look into this difference in more detail. Full text of routledge encyclopedia of philosophy see other formats. Ethnophilosophy refers to bodies of belief and knowledge that have philosophical relevance and which can be redescribed in terms drawn from academic philosophy, but which have not been consciously formulated as philosophy by philosophers. On her part, vest 2009 lists ethnophilosophy, excavationist, professional, cultural, and sage philosophy among the main schools in african philosophy. The body is the physical part of the body that is only concerned with the material world, and through which we are able to experience the world we live in.
This book facilitates an excellent orientation on african philosophy at the undergraduate level. The anthropology and ethnophilosophy of african llterature archie mafeje introduction the relation between anthropology, ethnophilosophy, and african literature encompasses a very vast field which has not yet been systematically explored within african studies. This book is an introduction to metaphilosophy the branch of philosophy that asks what philosophy is, how it should be done and why we should do it. The significance of philosophic sagacity in african philosophy by rnr oislversltt ubua frederick ochiengodhiambo thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of doctor of philosophy in the department of philosophy of the university of nairobi, 1994 university of nairobi library 7o vmvdmjv jsv3 1. Abstract i examine wiredus views that 1 ethnophilosophy cannot be considered a legitimate philosophy because it has the feature of authoritarianism, and that 2 this feature of african tradition will not allow modern philosophy to flourish because it prevents individuals from rationally and critically examining beliefs. On the critics of ethnophilosophy, whom he calls professional philosophers, it would seem. This he begins by an etymological explanation of the concept of igwebuike. Hountondji is one of the most important and controversial figures in contemporary african philosophy. A primary source is a work that is being studied, or that provides firsthand or direct evidence on a topic. Ethnophilosophy refers to bodies of belief and knowledge that have philosophical relevance and which can be redescribed in terms drawn from academic.
Formative assessment output educational assessment. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read myth. It was first challenged by the kenyan philosopher, h. List of books and articles about ethnophilosophy online. Criteria that distinguish it from ethnophilosophy and make it a unique approach within african philosophy article in philosophia africana 102. He explains, whatever the merits or demerits of ethnophi losophy, texts of scholars like mbiti have greatly helped in inspiring philosophical debate on african. Pdf in this study, i aimed to carryout a comparative analysis of the methods of conversational. The rebellion against this approach, both within anthropology and beyond, was a rejection of the implication that any cultures could be studied as if they were traditional, in the sense of closed, unchanging, and unchallenged from within. Odhiambo revised philosophic sagacity aims and functions 1. The movements writers including langston hughes, and slightly later figures such as richard wright, addressed the themes of noireism and racism. In light of both the strengths and the weaknesses of contemporary african scholars efforts at generalizing about african culture and personality, i encourage among african and nonafrican social scientists a reinvention of african ethnology and crosscultural studies. The implicit concept is that a specific culture can have a philosophy that is not applicable and accessible to all peoples and cultures in the world.
The harlem renaissance, centred on harlem in new york city in the 1920s and 1930s, had a significant influence on the negritude movement. I will sketch an approach that i believe to be appropriate for the development of philosophy in times of globalization. Modern african women versus traditional african women. This is important as it stops unelectedappointed judges from making law, which would be contrary to the doctrine of the separation of powers. Plato believed that humans could be broken down into 3 parts. September 2014 internet encyclopedia of philosophy. 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. Utilitarianism is one of the best known and most influential moral theories. Ethnophilosophy, african routledge encyclopedia of philosophy.
Pdf true false 1986466 9782760326057 9782760326064 1019617283 353. This study explored how peopleforest relationships are forged around kenyas nyandarwa forest reserve, and how indigenous knowledge systems of agikuyu people around the reserve might contribute to healthy, sustainable peopleforest relationships in light of the countrys changing social, economic, and political situations. Kwame anthony appiah, ethnophilosophy and its critics. Platos concept of the body and soul distinction essay. Strategic planning content what does it cover and does it hang together. He has, presumably as an african, shown the strengths and weaknesses of these arguments. The episteme of the african intellectual hountondji affirms four main ideas concerning the definition and role of philosophy, all of which are intended to establish the domain in which an african philosophy might be articulated, while excluding ethnophilosophy as an impostor if not as a contra. The study of indigenous philosophical systems associated with specific ethnic groups. Ethnophilosophy raises the hope that it is in refiguring the past that africa can. Aims and functions the general aim of this essay is to enhance understanding of philosophic sagacity as an approach to african philosophy by way of a theoretical justification and exposition, given that at times we tend to disagree on the utility and practicability of a viewpoint for.
It is obvious that the exponents of ethnophilosophy were taking advantage of the convoluted character of the idea of philosophy itself, confusing the two related but separable orders of the discourse. The philosophical underpinnings of being as foundations of. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. Ethnophilosophy, unanimity, and african critical thought 84. His critique of ethnophilosophy as a colonial, exoticising and racialized undertaking provoked contentious debates among african intellectuals on the proper methods and scope of philosophy and science in an african and global context since the 1970s. Monism and dualism george stuart fullerton the meaning of the words in common life men distinguish between minds and material things, thus dividing the things, which taken together make up the world as we know it, into two broad classes. Ethnophilosophy was disparaged by hountondji and bodunrin as a mode of philosophical practice because it was associated with prehistory and. Investigating peopleforest relationships around central. Ethnophilosophy, african routledge encyclopedia of. Common types of primary sources include works of literature, historical documents, original philosophical writings, and religious texts. An example of ethnophilosophy is african philosophy.
The amount of polyethnicity prevalent in some western countries has spurred some arguments against it, which include a belief that it leads to the weakening of each societys strengths, and also a belief that politicalethnic issues in countries with polyethnic populations are better handled with different laws for certain ethnicities. Does the idea of solar philosophy make sense 2 does it. The significance of philosophic sagacity in african philosophy. Oyeshile department of philosophy, university of ibadan, ibadan, nigeria introduction the definition of philosophy has remained a perennial philosophical problem and there is little agreement as to what it is. In this view, african philosophy is a form of ethnophilosophy such as ethnobiology and ethnopharmacology one of the many subject areas of ethnology.
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