For an interesting discussion of the role that this book along with tempels book played in the development of african philosophy see hountondji, paulin, african philosophy. Aug 17, 2007 from city press column an african origin of philosophy. In a series of articles, later collated into a book, african philosophy. Philosophy, mythology and an african cosmological system. Pdf introduction to african philosophy study guide. This a 2007 version of a study guide the unisa philosophy dept has used to introduce to students since 2007. 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. The meaning and nature of african philosophy in a globalising. A companion to african philosophy edited by kwasi wiredu. In order to read online or download myth literature and the african world ebooks in pdf, epub, tuebl and mobi format, you need to create a free account. Armed with the above reminders we approach our task with the confidence of listening to and hearing the particulars in the current discussion of african philosophy. View the new experience and read this book on fulcrum. D faculty of arts department of philosophy university of uyo, uyo abstract.
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. African philosophy of law 52 william idowu african philosophy of law. An alienated literature history of a myth african philosophy, myth and reality philosophy and its revolutions part two. Choice in this incisive, original exploration of the nature and future of african philosophy, paulin j. In this incisive, original exploration of the nature and future of african philosophy, paulin j. Hountondji is one of the most important and controversial figures in contemporary african philosophy. It is another sad defense of why african people cannot do or even think without a european or asian guide. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Aug 25, 2011 hountondji carved out a place in the field of african philosophy largely on the strength of his major work, african philosophy. The meaning and nature of african philosophy in a globalising world kanu ikechukwu anthony.
We cannot guarantee that myth literature and the african world book is in the library, but if you are still not. Myth and reality, hountondji exposed as unwarranted a number of temples assumptions, including the assumption that africans think collectively rather than individually, and the assumption that all africans see nature as infused with spiritual forces. Although african philosophers spend their time doing work in many different areas, such as metaphysics, epistemology, moral philosophy, and political philosophy, a great deal of the literature is taken up with a debate concerning the nature of african philosophy itself and if it in fact exists. An introduction to african philosophy samuel oluoch imbo. A critical study of the major orientations in contemporary african philosophy. Hountondji c1996 indiana university press read book. The main objective of this paper is to examine african culture and values. What is here called crosscultural understanding is itself a kind of compara.
Imhotep, ptahhotep, amenemhat, merikare, duauf, amenhotep, son of hapu, akhenaten, and the sage of khunanup, are just a few of the african philosophers who lived long before there was a greece or a greek philosopher. With this criticism hountondji started an ongoing debate about the status of african philosophy, the status and value of ethnophilosophy, and the position of placide tempels in african philosophy. The hypothesis for this book has been proven to be theoretical after comparing the claims made to both european, african and ancient african sources from various authors in various fields of study. Studies in history and philosophy of biological and biomedical sciences 42 1. An 800page scholarly overview is unlikely to be best for someone looking for a short beginnerfriendly. An african philosopher in germany in the eighteenth century. Also see the introduction to hountondjis book by irele, 1520.
One particular subject that many african philosophers have written about is that on the subject of. Daniel becquemont 2011 studies in history and philosophy of science part c. Although greek philosophy, in so far as it approached reality from a rational and abstract point of view, was in many ways at odds with religiousmythic thinking, greek philosophy did influence the development of christianity in the first. Myth and reality african systems of thought can give more knowledge and also the precise product information about everything you want exactly why must we leave the good thing like a book african philosophy, ancient myth, religion, and philosophy. Again, both concepts offer a perspective for an interpretation of the world and the mysteries and phenomena of existence in general. In this seminal exploration of the nature and future of african philosophy, paulin j. 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. Pdf paulin hountondji, african philosophy, myth and reality. The volume is heavily weighted towards contemporary african intellectuals, and draws heavily from regional african philosophies such as those in ghana, nigeria, and uganda. This belgian missionarys bantu philosophy still passes today, in 20. After a brief introduction to yoruba cosmology, the author analyzes representations associated with the main components of the human person. Are there useful ways to make connections between african philosophy, african american philosophy, and womens studies.
Reflections on philosophy, culture and democracy in africa 1997. On the one hand, readers are introduced to various trends as distinguished by different authors, and on the other, they are given an idea of debates on issues raised by such classifications. 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. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means. Any person who reads the book entitled, the savage mind by c. Laid out in a well thought out and systematic approach, it is obvious that dr. Jun 16, 2014 not only is the word philosophy not greek, the practice of philosophy existed long before the greeks. Philosophical papers paulin hountondji, african philosophy. Knowledge of africa, knowledge by africans openedition journals. Pdf the african origin of civilization download full. 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. This expanded edition continues diops campaign for the political and economic unification of the nations of black africa. African philosophy is the philosophical discourse produced by indigenous africans and their descendants, including african americans. It further consists of criticism and argument, which to them, are the essential characteristics and conditions for any form of knowledge to be judged as philosophy.
D faculty of arts department of philosophy university of uyo, uyo. We do not expect you to regard yourselves as a privileged class, engaged in a selfish scramble to acquire wealth and influence. Published 712004 first published in city press, july, 2004 there is a common belief among whites that philosophy originates with the greeks. The best book for you will depend on your preferred learning style and the amount of time that you want to spend reading about african philosophy. A seminal work on ways of doing philosophy in africa. Myth and reality originally appeared in french twenty years ago. Pdf paulin hountondji, african philosophy, myth and. Imbos book is an invaluable introduction to this dynamic and growing area of study.
In the african context, professional philosophy consists in the analysis and interpretation of reality in general. Just to be clear, there is no single best book on 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. Paulin hountondji, african philosophy, myth and reality 1974. 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. The book aims to generate more insights and influence national, continental, and global debates in the field of philosophy. 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. Hutcheson university library for africa, 1983, 34 44. Maurice muhatia makumba 2007 paulines publications africa. This page contains a list of the best books on african philosophy. This is a precious gem of a book for anyone who wishes to reflect on civilization and culture. It is intended to be used with a textbook it was written for published in 2002 under oxford university press as philosophy from africa. The six best books on african philosophy the daily idea.
African philosophy is used in different ways by different philosophers. Africana philosophy stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. The african philosophy reader peace palace library. Myth and reality african systems of thought 2 by paulin j. Many readers and anthologies, introductions, and other paedagogical publications have. In fact, it is an ethnological work with philosophical pretensions, or more simply, if i may coin the word, a work of ethnophilosophy. In case you are trying to know how to obtain an introduction to african philosophy ebooks, you must go thorough analysis on wellknown search engines together with the keywords and phrases download stephen j. 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. Ghana will look to you to serve her with humility, honesty, integrity and loyalty. Thorez 1956 the eyes of some, for a classic of african philosophy 2. 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. An introduction to african philosophy pdf free download. In discussing african culture and values, we are not presupposing that all african. Chapter 2 deals with trends in african philosophy from two perspectives.
Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers such as placide tempels and alexis kagame that there is an indigenous, collective african philosophy separate and. Laumakis pdf ebooks in order for you personally to only get pdf formatted books to download that are safer and virusfree you will. By making crossdisciplinary and transnational connections, imbo stakes out an important place for african philosophy. The structure for our reading of african philosophy and entering. 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. Narrative in african philosophy philosophy cambridge core. African sage philosophy stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. The african philosophy reader peace palace library, the. Masolo ject of open and widespread philosophical deliberation, and african it is a little more than fifty years that african cultures have been the sub. African philosophers may be found in the various academic fields of philosophy, such as metaphysics, epistemology, moral philosophy, and political philosophy. Another reason why some people usually express wonder and doubt at the mention of the existence of african philosophy is due to the image of africa as delineated by some anthropologists, social scientists, political analysiss and historians with a slanted approach to reality. The african philosophy reader is an excellent collection of essays, and is intended for undergraduates and beginners in african philosophy. Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers. By molefi kete asante first published in city press, july, 2004 there is a common belief among whites that philosophy originates with the greeks.