African Philosophy and Thought Systems. a Search for a Culture and Philosophy of Belonging

Description

The once acrimonious debate on the existence of African philosophy has come of age, yet the need to cultivate a culture of belonging is more demanding now than ever before in many African societies. The gargantuan indelible energised chicanery waves of neo-colonialism and globalisation and their sweeping effect on Africa demand more concerted action and solutions than cul-de-sac discourses and magical realism. It is in view of this realisation that this book was born. This is a vital text for understanding contextual historical trends in the development of African philosophic ideas on the continent and how Africans could possibly navigate the turbulent catadromous waters, tangled webs and chasms of destruction, and chagrin of struggles that have engrossed Africa since the dawn of slavery and colonial projects on the continent. The book aims to generate more insights and influence national, continental, and global debates in the field of philosophy. 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. Cover Title page Copyright page Contents Preface Chapter 1 - What Philosophy Is and Is Not Definition(s) of philosophy: An unfinished business The two senses of philosophy Why studying philosophy? Fields of philosophy a) Metaphysics (b) Epistemology (c) Axiology What philosophy is not Conclusion Chapter 2 - Africa and its Philosophical Thought: Nature, Scope and Pragmatics Does Africa really exist? Nature and scope of African philosophy African philosophy and pragmatics Conclusion Chapter 3 - African Philosophy, Debates, and Henry Odera Oruka’s Four Trends Henry Odera Oruka’s trends of African Philosophy Nationalistic-ideological philosophy Conclusion Chapter 4 - Philosophical Genres and Movements in Africa Introduction Ethiopian philosophy Bantu philosophy MA’AT philosophy Yoruba philosophy African philosophy and movements Pan-Africanism Conclusion Chapter 5 - Ubuntu/Unhu/Vumunhu : A Principal Moral Compass for the southern African World Introduction Interrogating the philosophy of ubuntu/unhu/vumunhu Ubuntu as Africa’s moral compass Applicability of ubuntu philosophy The perceived negative side of ubuntu Conclusion Chapter 6 - Pan-Africanism and the Search for Africa’s Framework for Sustainable Development Introduction An exposition of Pan-Africanism Ideological and philosophical development of Pan-Africanism Objectives of Pan-Africanism Unpacking sustainability Understanding development What is sustainable development? Pan-Africanism as a driver of sustainable development in Africa: Successes and failures Some of the successes of Pan-Africanism Agenda 2063 Taking stock of the failures of Pan-Africanism Conclusion Chapter 7 - Nyerereism: A Blend of African Communalism and Socialism Introduction Unmasking Nyerere’s ideological background Socialism: Conceptual analysis African socialism: In search for a definition The nexus between socialism and communalism The pitfalls of African socialism Conclusion Chapter 8 - Nkrumahism: A Search for the Logic of African Unity and Consciencism Profiling Kwame Nkrumah Kwame Nkrumah’s philosophical political ideas The fall of Kwame Nkrumah The continued relevance of Kwame Nkrumah’s philosophy to Africa Conclusion Chapter 9 - African Philosophy, Cultural Identity and Globalisation: Confronting Fear, Terror, and Uncertainty African philosophy as the birth-bed of African cultural identity Globalisation and Africa Globalisation: Fear, terror and uncertainty African philosophy, renaissance and education: Neutralising globalisation Conclusion Chapter 10 - Democracy and Human Rights Talk: Africa’s Post-colonial Challenge Introduction Democracy and human rights: Theoretical analysis Democracy and human as Africa’s twin post-colonial problems Conclusion References Back cover