An introduction to African philosophy

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Title:

Author:

Imbo, Samuel Oluoch, 1961-

ISBN:

9780847688418

9780847688401

Personal Author:

Imbo, Samuel Oluoch, 1961-

Publication Information:

Lanham, Md. : Rowman & Littlefield, c1998.

Physical Description:

xvii, 157 p. ; 23 cm.

Contents:

Ch. 1. How Is African Philosophy to Be Defined? What Is Philosophy? Ethnophilosophical Approaches. Universalist Definitions of African Philosophy. Hermeneutical Orientations. Various Classifications of African Philosophy. The Politics of Defining African Philosophy -- Ch. 2. Is Ethnophilosophy Really Philosophy? Cheikh Anta Diop: An Afrocentric Historiography. John S. Mbiti: A Religious Ethnography. Ogotemmeli's Cosmology. The Critics of Ethnophilosophy -- Ch. 3. Is African Philosophy Unique? Uniqueness as Negative: Placide Tempels Revisited. Uniqueness as Positive: Leopold Sedar Senghor. The Dangers of Uniqueness: Paulin Hountondji. Africa in the House of Philosophy: Kwame Anthony Appiah -- Ch. 4. What Should the Language(s) of African Philosophy Be? Language as Collective Memory Bank. Written Language and Oral Language. In Defense of African Languages: Ngugi wa Thiong'o. In Defense of European Languages: Chinua Achebe.

Ch. 5. Are There Connections Among African, African American, and Feminist Philosophies? Connections with African American Philosophy: A Tradition Born Out of Struggle. Connections with Feminism: Feminist Critiques of Western Philosophy.

Abstract:

Organized topically rather than historically, this book provides an introduction to the subject of African philosophy, Samuel Oluoch Imbo synthesizes the ideas of key African philosophers into an accessible narrative. The author focuses on five central questions: What are the definitions of African philosophy? Is ethnophilosophy really philosophy? What are the dangers of an African philosophy that claims to be "unique"? Can African philosophy be done in foreign languages such as English and French? Are there useful ways to make connections between African philosophy, African American philosophy, and women's studies?

Subject Term:

Philosophy, African.

Copies:

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Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Copy	Status
Searching... 1:IIEMSA	1:GEN-BOOK	33168015687607	199.6 I32.I 1998	1	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

Organized topically rather than historically, this book provides an excellent introduction to the subject of African Philosophy. Samuel Oluoch Imbo synthesizes the ideas of key African philosophers into an accessible narrative. The author focuses on five central questions: What are the definitions of African philosophy? Is ethno-philosophy really philosophy? What are the dangers of an African philosophy that claims to be 'unique'? Can African philosophy be done in foreign languages such as English and French? Are there useful ways to make connections between African philosophy, African American philosophy, and women's studies? By making cross-disciplinary and transnational connections, Imbo stakes out an important place for African philosophy. Imbo's book is an invaluable introduction to this dynamic and growing area of study.