It should not be difficult for a philosopher to see the philosophical relevance of these materials, which are similar to the. Gyekye deals with broad methodological issues such as whether philosophy could take place in oral rather written traditions and what, if anything, could be said about african philosophy as a whole. The aim of my research is to give a critical exposition of kwame gyekyes idea of communitarianism1. In this sustained and nuanced attempt to define a genuinely africanphilosophy, kwame gyekye rejects the idea that an african philosophyconsists simply of the work of africans writing on philosophy. The existence of a social structure is an out standing, in fact. Gyekye was professor of philosophy at the university of ghana, and a visiting professor of philosophy and african american studies at temple university. Module pls1502 2002 person and community in african thought. Sep 09, 2010 kwame gyekye on african ethics heres a new stanford entry. Postcolonial african thought the question of race 4. Kwame gyekye is the author of an essay on african philosophical thought 4. The african philosopher kwame gyekye explores how the akan people of. This a 2007 version of a study guide the unisa philosophy dept has used to introduce to students since 2007. For example, gyekye, an influential african philosopher, contributes an encyclopaedic article titled african ethics and he describes this notion thus. African sage philosophy stanford encyclopedia of philosophy.
Truth and reconciliation 83 linking communalism, ubuntu, and restorative justice. University of chicago press, 1962 or kwame gyekye s an essay on african philosophical thought. A critical exposition of kwame gyekyes communitarianism by. Gyekye challenges the view that in african thought, community confers personhood on the individual and thus the individuals identity is merely derivative of the community. Kwame gyekye born is a ghanaian philosopherand ghekye important figure in the development of modern african philosophy. Kwame gyekye, an essay on african philosophical th scheme, rev. In his major book, tradition and modernity 1997, gyekye presents arguments for his version of moderate communitarianism. How moderate is kwame gyekyes moderate communitarianism. African ethics is used to refer both to the moral beliefs and presuppositions of the subsaharan african people and the philosophical clarification and interpretation of those beliefs. The chapter discusses the unresolved predicament of the most considerable level of connection between the society and its members that would be beneficial to both agents. 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. After each investigation, both levels of perception, together with their implications, will be tested for validity. An essay on african philosophical thought by kwame gyekye.
To facilitate a meaningful philosophical discussion, i locate this. Finally, the postulation of quasiphysicalism, amidst its many problems, is an interesting exercise in contemporary akan philosophy. View notes gyekyeperson and community in african thought. Kwame gyekye, an essay on african philosophical thought. An essay on african philosophical thought the akan conceptual scheme, kwame gyekye, 1987. A social structure is evolved not only to give effect to certain conceptions of human nature, but also to provide a framework. Kwame gyekye on african ethics philosophy in a time of error. Community and justice 58 persons, individualism, and communalism suffering and injustice poverty and human development 5. To facilitate a meaningful philosophical discussion, i locate this engagement in the context of a debate between ifeanyi menkiti and kwame gyekye about the nature of afrocommunitarianism, whether. The proverbs, as i have argued in detail in my book an essay on african philosophical thought, are not unlike the fragments of the early ancient greek philosophers in respect of the laconic and elliptical linguistic forms in which they are expressed. In the text, an essay on african philosophical thought, the author kwame gyekye tries to show the existence of african philosophy. In their attempt to evolve ways of life appropriate to our modern world culture, says kwame gyekye, african people face a number of unique societal challenges, some stemming from the values and practices of their traditional cultures, others representing the legacy of. The value of a person in akan traditional life and thought. In this sustained and nuanced attempt to define a genuinely african philosophy, kwame gyekye rejects the idea that an african philosophy consists simply of the work of africans writing on philosophy.
African philosopher gyekye defines the main principles of a distinct african philosophy. African studies, could thus benefit from the philosophical analysis embarked upon in this article. In doing so, they broaden our understanding of his philosophical ideas and their relevance for effective african contribution to thought in a contemporary world in which. First one is lack of writing in africas historical past. Morality in african thought person and community in african thought kwame gyekye the existence of a social structure is an out standing, in fact, a necessary feature of every human society. Jun 16, 2017 to facilitate a meaningful philosophical discussion, i locate this engagement in the context of a debate between ifeanyi menkiti and kwame gyekye about the nature of afrocommunitarianism, whether. The akan conceptual scheme 9781566393805 by gyekye, kwame and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Pdf from llb pls1502 at university of south africa. University of chicago press, 1962 or kwame gyekyes. A critical exposition of kwame gyekyes communitarianism by odirachukwu stephen mwimnobi submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of masters of arts in the subject philosophy at the university of south africa promoter. A critique of the concept of quasiphysicalism in akan. Gyekye argues that african philosophic thought exists in the form of oral traditions, folksongs, myths, proverbs, beliefs, and rituals. Awttie african experience kwame gyekye professor and head of the department of philosophy, university of ghana, legon.
Thus the advocates of the ideology of african socialism such as nkrumah, senghor and nyerere who, in their anxiety to find anchorage for their ideological choice in the traditional african ideas about society, argued that socialism was foreshadowed in the traditional african socioeconomic thought and practice, pointing especially to the idea. Dec 05, 2008 in the text, an essay on african philosophical thought, the author kwame gyekye tries to show the existence of african philosophy. Offering a philosophical clarification and theology, and ethics of the akan of ghana, gyekye argues that critical analyses of specific traditional african modes of thought are necessary to develop a distinctively african philosophy as well as cultural values in the modern world. This is particularly timely for me, since i can use it for when my ethics class its called ethics and race, though really about conceptions of ethics and difference in relation to africana philosophies turns to african philosophy. Gyekye give a new direction in the history of african philosophy.
Offering a philosophical clarification andinterpretation of the concepts in the ontology, philosophical psychology,theology, and ethics of the akan of ghana, gyekye argues that criticalanalyses of specific traditional african modes of thought are necessary todevelop a distinctively african philosophy as well as cultural values inthe modern world. Not in restoring a mythical conceptual scheme, but in using the akan concepts in a philosophical way as a basis for further philosophical enquiries in topics in mens life from an african akan perspective. Second reason is african traditional thought is not always accepted as philosophy. The meaning and nature of african philosophy in a globalising. Not in restoring a mythical conceptual scheme, but in using the akan concepts in a philosophical way as a basis for further philosophical enquiries in topics in mens life from an africanakan perspective. Pdf introduction to african philosophy study guide. African philosophy is the philosophical discourse produced by indigenous africans and their descendants, including african americans. He attributes this view to african philosopher ifeanyi menkiti, as well as socialist political figures like ghana s kwame nkrumah, senegal s leopold senghor, and. African philosophy is nonexistent because africans lack a written tradition and documented ideas, and that philosophy is a special. Restrictions pro authors only online only open access only published only filter by language configure languages here. Kwame gyekye this paper presents an overview of the relationship. University of chicago press, 1962 or kwame gyekyes an essay on african philosophical thought.
This article undertakes a critical examination of kwame gyekyes main arguments for moderate communitarianism. Publication date 1995 topics philosophy, akan, ghana intellectual life. African philosophers may be found in the various academic fields of philosophy, such as metaphysics, epistemology, moral philosophy, and political philosophy. An inaugural lecture delivered at the university of ghana on mrsday, may 7, 1987 ghana universities press accra 1988. View notes gyekye person and community in african thought. It argues that critical analyses of specific traditional african modes of thought are necessary to develop a distinctively african philosophy. Dec 29, 2015 african philosophy is philosophy produced by african people, philosophy which presents african worldviews, or philosophy that uses distinct african philosophical methods.
Kwame gyekye stanford encyclopedia of philosophy details kwame gyekye international philosophical quarterly 18 3. Module pls1502 year of publication 2002 title of publication person and community in. Before generating conclusions, described here are the moral definition of personhood subject to the premises of the normative perspective and the distinction between a person and an individual that is, considering the former. One particular subject that many african philosophers have written about is that on the subject of. Cambridge university press, 1987 will get an idea of the contours of that public philosophy. African moral thought, i proceed in the following fashion. Given that ghanaian life is suffused with speculative thought, it is. African philosophy is philosophy produced by african people, philosophy which presents african worldviews, or philosophy that uses distinct african philosophical methods. He explains why the existence of african philosophy is doubted. Kwame gyekye author of an essay on african philosophical. 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. Akan concept of a person, international philosophical quarterly 18, no. Contrary to the general belief among african scholars, it contends that gyekyes. Innocent onyewuenyi, is there an african philosophy studies 3, no.
In this important and pioneering book, kwame gyekye examines postcolonial african experience from a viewpoint receptive to aspects of both traditional african cultures and western political and moral theory. Most of the book, however, is focused on the akan people of ghana. Kwame gyekye on african ethics philosophy in a time of. Akan philosophy of the person stanford encyclopedia of. African people, in their attempt to evolve ways of life compatible with an increasingly globalized world cultural, intellectual, and political scene, face a number of unique societal.
The article also seeks to show that the gap which gyekye claims exists. An essay on african philosophical thought philadelphia. Professor kwame gyekye is a distinguished african intellectual who has made significant contributions to core issues in african and western political philosophy. Module pls1502 2002 person and community in african. There is no question that kwasi wiredu and kwame gyekye are one of. Introduction to philosophy in an african perspective, cletus n. Contrary to the general belief among african scholars, it contends that gyekyes moderate communitarianism, as he presents it in tradition and modernity 1997, is not as moderate as he believes it to be. It must, gyekye argues, arise from african thought itself, relate to the culture out of which it grows, and provide the possibility of a continuation of a philosophy linked to culture. Thus, the works of a prominent african philosopher, namely, kwame gyekye, will get some attention. Essays on kwame nkrumahs philosophy critically explore the metaphysical, ethical and political thought expressed in consciencism.
An essay on african philosophical thought the akan conceptual. Pdf individualism in african moral cultures researchgate. It is intended to be used with a textbook it was written for published in 2002 under oxford university press as philosophy from africa. Pdf personhood and rights in an african tradition researchgate. It must,gyekye argues, arise from african thought itself, relate to the cultureout of which it grows, and provide the possibility of a continuation of aphilosophy linked to culture. Kwame gyekye on african ethics heres a new stanford entry.
1432 642 1316 1481 1228 71 69 1378 539 919 1465 146 1532 102 435 36 1252 804 1170 885 1161 325 1089 1002 1449 732 581 117 1394 533 1128 456 1482 825 14 98 870 1219 934 1482 1019 357