GST 211

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY,
LOGIC AND HUMAN EXISTENCE.
 PHILOSOPHY.

•AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY.
 African philosophy.

•Does African philosophy exist?

•No.
•Maybe
•Yes.
 AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY.

•Pertinent questions include:

-Is the continent of Africa inhabited?
-If inhabited, by what, who?
-If who, can he think?
-He thinks, about what?
 African philosophy?
• The evidence of thinker’s presence in olden days Greece is:
• thinkers as ordinary citizens:
- Socrates, Pythagoras, Protagoras, Epicurus, Stoics, … .
• What is the sequence of Western Philosophy?
- Metaphysics (God, gods, ancestors, talisman, magic, …)
- Epistemology (medicine, types of food, dresses, transportation, …)
- Logic (crop rotation, conservation of environment, …)
- Ethics (communism, regulations, reciprocal actions, …)
 Philosophy in Africa?
• 6 or 7 continents make up the world, 1 is Africa.
• Africa is 2nd largest continent.
• Intent of thinking is to proffer solution to challenges
– accommodation, health, economic, conservation of
environment, farming, fishing, trading, child birth,
presence of the aged, road network, transportation,
governance, vocational, … .
 Africa, philosophy? METHODOLOGY.
• These challenges are not unique to the West, why no
philosophy and philosophers in Africa?
• Sage philosophy: is the sayings of wise men though
may not be educated but postulates the origin of the
world, source and essence of morality, man’s
assignment on earth, … .
• Ethno-philosophy: is world view from the customs,
folklores and myths propounded by the African.
•
 African philosophy?
• Nationalistic propaganda: is African politicians and
thinkers projecting the African’s concept of freedom
based on their cultural bearings. Nnamdi Azikiwe
preached welfarism, Senghor preached negritude,
Nkrumah preached consciencism, … .
• Professional – philosophy: is the position that
thinking is appropriate to professionals, not a random
talker. (Tempel and Bantu philosophy, …)
 African philosophy? Constrains.
• Absence of records: wise men talked and philosophized on
issues that are universal but were not written for others to
refer to.
• Trainer’s origin and materials: through colonialism and
proselyting the African was taught with materials of the
tutors as perfect examples.
• Medium of communication: culture is expressed through
language, an English tutor cannot adequately understand the
African culture and draw adequate equivalent illustrations.
 Constrains against African philosophy.
• Inferiority complex: the African has demonstrated again and again
the attitude of rejecting all that is his and take up everything (good and
bad) from across the African boarder.- music, dressing,
accommodation, food, drinks, medication, … .
• Graders/ scorers: non Africans are the scorers of African works –
WHO, UNICEF, FIFA, … .
• Dependant mentality of the African: leaders copy Western leaders/
style, African citizens require Government to provide all – roads,
hospitals, education, food, … .
 Further reading.

•Chapters 3, 17.
 GST 211

•HAVE A GOD FILLED

WEEK IN JESUS’
NAME. AMEN