A Discourse on African Philosophy

A Discourse on African Philosophy PDF Author: Christian B. N. Gade
Publisher: Lexington Books
ISBN: 1498512267
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 121

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Book Description
Many have argued that ubuntu was a formative influence on the post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), South Africa’s famous transitional justice mechanism. A Discourse on African Philosophy: A New Perspective on Ubuntu and Transitional Justice in South Africa challenges and contextualizes this view in a way that not only provides new findings and reflections on ubuntu and the TRC, but also contributes to the field of African philosophy. One of Christian B. N. Gade’s key findings, founded on qualitative interviews in South Africa, is that some former TRC commissioners and committee members question the importance of ubuntu in the TRC process. Another is that there are several differing and historically developing interpretations of ubuntu, some of which have evident political implications and reflect non-factual and creative uses of history. Thus ubuntu is not a shared cultural heritage, in the ethnophilosophical sense of a static property characterizing a group. In fact, throughout this book Gade argues that the ethnophilosophical approach to African philosophy as a static group property is highly problematic. Gade’s research presents an alternative collective discourse on African philosophy (“collective” in the sense that it does not focus on any single individual in particular) that takes differences, historical developments, and social contexts seriously. This book will be of interest to scholars in African philosophy, transitional justice, politics and cultural heritage, and law in South Africa.

A Discourse on African Philosophy

A Discourse on African Philosophy PDF Author: Christian B. N. Gade
Publisher: Lexington Books
ISBN: 1498512267
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 121

Get Book Here

Book Description
Many have argued that ubuntu was a formative influence on the post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), South Africa’s famous transitional justice mechanism. A Discourse on African Philosophy: A New Perspective on Ubuntu and Transitional Justice in South Africa challenges and contextualizes this view in a way that not only provides new findings and reflections on ubuntu and the TRC, but also contributes to the field of African philosophy. One of Christian B. N. Gade’s key findings, founded on qualitative interviews in South Africa, is that some former TRC commissioners and committee members question the importance of ubuntu in the TRC process. Another is that there are several differing and historically developing interpretations of ubuntu, some of which have evident political implications and reflect non-factual and creative uses of history. Thus ubuntu is not a shared cultural heritage, in the ethnophilosophical sense of a static property characterizing a group. In fact, throughout this book Gade argues that the ethnophilosophical approach to African philosophy as a static group property is highly problematic. Gade’s research presents an alternative collective discourse on African philosophy (“collective” in the sense that it does not focus on any single individual in particular) that takes differences, historical developments, and social contexts seriously. This book will be of interest to scholars in African philosophy, transitional justice, politics and cultural heritage, and law in South Africa.

The Hermeneutics of African Philosophy

The Hermeneutics of African Philosophy PDF Author: Tsenay Serequeberhan
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135882193
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 178

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Book Description
Hermeneutics is a crucial but neglected perspective in African philosophy. Here, Tsenay Serequeberhan engages post-colonial African literature and the ideas of the African liberation struggle with critically-used insights from the European philosophical tradition. Continuing the work of Theophilus Okere and Okonda Okolo, this book attempts to overcome the debate between ethnophilosophy and professional philosophy, demonstrating that the promise of African philosophy lies with the critical development of the African hermeneutical perspective.

Meaning and Truth in African Philosophy

Meaning and Truth in African Philosophy PDF Author: Grivas Muchineripi Kayange
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3030019624
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 174

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Book Description
This book offers a new way of doing African philosophy by building on an analysis of the way people talk. The author bases his investigation on the belief that traditional African philosophy is hidden in expressions used in ordinary language. As a result, he argues that people are engaging in a philosophical activity when they use expressions such as taboos, proverbs, idioms, riddles, and metaphors. The analysis investigates proverbs using the ordinary language approach and Speech Act theory. Next, the author looks at taboos using counterfactual logic, which studies the meaning of taboo expressions by departing from a consideration of their structure and use. He argues that the study of these figurative expressions using the counterfactual framework offers a particular understanding of African philosophy and belief systems. The study also investigates issues of meaning and rationality departing from a study on riddles, explores conceptual metaphors used in conceptualizing the notion of politics in modern African political thought, and examines language and marginalization of women and people with disabilities. The book differs from other works in African philosophy in the sense that it does not claim that Africans have a philosophy as is commonly done in most studies. Rather, it reflects and unfolds philosophical elements in ordinary language use. The book also builds African Conception of beauty and truth through the study of language.

A Relational Model of Public Discourse

A Relational Model of Public Discourse PDF Author: Leyla Tavernaro-Haidarian
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 9780367892685
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 92

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Book Description
Contemporary democratic discourses are frequently, though not exclusively, characterized by an attitude of 'pro and con' where the aim is to persuade others, a jury or an audience, of what is right and what is wrong. Challenging such procedures, this book teases out an alternative model of public discourse that is based in collaboration and deliberation. The African philosophy of ubuntu offers valuable insights in this regard as it implies relational notions of power that contrast and complement individualist facets. It provides the space to think and speak in ways that support harmonious and cohesive societal structures and practices. The book's model of communication rests on the premise that the various interests of individuals and groups, while richly diverse, can be conceived of as profoundly bound-up rather than incompatible. In this way communication enables broader lines of action and a wider scope for achieving diversity and common ground.

African Philosophy in Search of Identity

African Philosophy in Search of Identity PDF Author: D A Masolo
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
ISBN: 1474470777
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 314

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Book Description
African Philosophy in Search of Identity

Themes, Issues and Problems in African Philosophy

Themes, Issues and Problems in African Philosophy PDF Author: Isaac E. Ukpokolo
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319407961
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 401

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Book Description
This volume provides the key to a deepened discourse on philosophy in Africa. Available literature and academic practice in African philosophy since the 1960s have largely featured discourses in the areas of origin, general meaning and nature of the discipline, with little attention given to specialized areas. By contrast, this book examines a noticeable shifting focus from such general concerns to more specific subject-matter, in such areas as epistemology, moral philosophy, metaphysics, aesthetics, and social and political philosophy in the light of the African experience. The volume includes specific discourses from expert contributors on the nature, history and scope of African ethics and metaphysics, while also discussing particular themes in African epistemology, philosophy of education, existentialism and political philosophy. Researchers seeking for new perspective on African philosophy will find this work thought-provoking, instructive and informative.

Essays on Contemporary Issues in African Philosophy

Essays on Contemporary Issues in African Philosophy PDF Author: Jonathan O. Chimakonam
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 303070436X
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 363

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Book Description
This volume is a collection of chapters about contemporary issues within African philosophy. They are issues African philosophy must grapple with to demonstrate its readiness to make a stand against some of the challenges society faces in the coming decade such as xenophobia, Afro-phobia, extreme poverty, democratic failure and migration. The text covers new methodical directions and there is focus on the conversationalist, complementarist and consolationist movements within the field as well as the place of the Indigenous Knowledge System.The collection speaks to African philosophy’s place in intellectual history with coverage of African Ethics and African socio-political philosophy. Contributors come from a variety of different backgrounds, institutions and countries. Through their innovative ideas, they provide fresh insight and intellectual energy. The book appeals to philosophy students and researchers.

A Short History of African Philosophy, Second Edition

A Short History of African Philosophy, Second Edition PDF Author: Barry Hallen
Publisher: Indiana University Press
ISBN: 0253003482
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 209

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Book Description
A Short History of African Philosophy discusses major ideas, figures, and schools of thought in philosophy in the African context. While drawing out critical issues in the formation of African philosophy, Barry Hallen focuses on recent scholarship and relevant debates that have made African philosophy critical to understanding the rich and complex cultural heritage of the continent. This revised edition expands the historical perspective, takes account of recent discoveries and new canonical figures, highlights new discussions about gender as a cultural and philosophical phenomenon, clarifies issues regarding indigenous cultures and human rights, and builds on the notion that African philosophy shares methods and concerns of philosophy worldwide. This short reference is an essential resource for students, scholars, and general readers.

Postethnophilosophy

Postethnophilosophy PDF Author: Sanya Osha
Publisher: Rodopi
ISBN: 9042033185
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 243

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Book Description
This book makes a bold announcement for the beginning of a postethnophilosophical phase in modern African thought. It re-considers the question: “What is African philosophy,” and introduces a strategy for setting a broad and productive agenda for contemporary African philosophical thought.

African Voices in Education

African Voices in Education PDF Author: Philip Higgs
Publisher: Juta and Company Ltd
ISBN: 9780702151996
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 228

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Book Description
The Africanisation of education is a highly topical issue. The potentials and pitfalls of Africanisation have drawn a great deal of critical debate, both in Africa and abroad. After the political changes of 1994 in South Africa, there has been renewed interest in the question of a distinctively African philosophy. This publication provides a systematic and clear exposition of an African voice in education, drawing on distinguished authors across Africa.