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. Essays on kwame nkrumahs philosophy critically explore the metaphysical, ethical and political thought expressed in consciencism. Gyekye argues that african philosophic thought exists in the form of oral traditions, folksongs, myths, proverbs, beliefs, and rituals. This article undertakes a critical examination of kwame gyekyes main arguments for moderate communitarianism. The meaning and nature of african philosophy in a globalising. One particular subject that many african philosophers have written about is that on the subject of. University of chicago press, 1962 or kwame gyekyes. Pdf individualism in african moral cultures researchgate. It should not be difficult for a philosopher to see the philosophical relevance of these materials, which are similar to the. 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. This book offers a philosophical interpretation and critical analysis of the african cultural experience in modern times. Most of the book, however, is focused on the akan people of ghana. This a 2007 version of a study guide the unisa philosophy dept has used to introduce to students since 2007.
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. Kwame gyekye author of an essay on african philosophical. The aim of my research is to give a critical exposition of kwame gyekyes idea of communitarianism1. Awttie african experience kwame gyekye professor and head of the department of philosophy, university of ghana, legon. Kwame gyekye, an essay on african philosophical thought. An inaugural lecture delivered at the university of ghana on mrsday, may 7, 1987 ghana universities press accra 1988. For example, gyekye, an influential african philosopher, contributes an encyclopaedic article titled african ethics and he describes this notion thus. Module pls1502 2002 person and community in african.
Cambridge university press, 1987 will get an idea of the contours of that public philosophy. Kwame gyekye this paper presents an overview of the relationship. A critical exposition of kwame gyekyes communitarianism by. African philosophy is nonexistent because africans lack a written tradition and documented ideas, and that philosophy is a special. African moral thought, i proceed in the following fashion. An essay on african philosophical thought the akan conceptual. 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. Akan philosophy of the person stanford encyclopedia of. Truth and reconciliation 83 linking communalism, ubuntu, and restorative justice. Sep 09, 2010 kwame gyekye on african ethics heres a new stanford entry. There is no question that kwasi wiredu and kwame gyekye are one of.
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. A critique of the concept of quasiphysicalism in akan. Akan concept of a person, international philosophical quarterly 18, no. Kwame gyekye stanford encyclopedia of philosophy details kwame gyekye international philosophical quarterly 18 3. It argues that critical analyses of specific traditional african modes of thought are necessary to develop a distinctively african philosophy. First one is lack of writing in africas historical past. 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. Pdf personhood and rights in an african tradition researchgate. To facilitate a meaningful philosophical discussion, i locate this. How moderate is kwame gyekyes moderate communitarianism. Restrictions pro authors only online only open access only published only filter by language configure languages here. An essay on african philosophical thought philadelphia. 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. An essay on african philosophical thought by kwame gyekye.
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. 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. 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. He explains why the existence of african philosophy is doubted. 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. 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. Postcolonial african thought the question of race 4. This essay explores representative africanist thought on personhood and community, highlighting especially the debate between ifeanyi menkiti and kwame gyekye on communitarianism, defined generally as relating to social organization in small, cooperative, partially collectivist communities.
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. 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. Contrary to the general belief among african scholars, it contends that gyekyes. A social structure is evolved not only to give effect to certain conceptions of human nature, but also to provide a framework. 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. 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. Emeritus professor kwame gyekye 10 november 1939 april 2019 was a ghanaian philosopher, and an important figure in the development of modern african philosophy.
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. The african philosopher kwame gyekye explores how the akan people of. Second reason is african traditional thought is not always accepted as philosophy. Community and justice 58 persons, individualism, and communalism suffering and injustice poverty and human development 5. Kwame gyekye, an essay on african philosophical th scheme, rev.
Gyekye give a new direction in the history of african philosophy. Kwame gyekye is the author of an essay on african philosophical thought 4. African philosophers may be found in the various academic fields of philosophy, such as metaphysics, epistemology, moral philosophy, and political philosophy. The article also seeks to show that the gap which gyekye claims exists. 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. Dec 05, 2008 in the text, an essay on african philosophical thought, the author kwame gyekye tries to show the existence of african philosophy. The value of a person in akan traditional life and thought.
The existence of a social structure is an out standing, in fact. An essay on african philosophical thought the akan conceptual scheme, kwame gyekye, 1987. African sage philosophy stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Pdf from llb pls1502 at university of south africa. Finally, the postulation of quasiphysicalism, amidst its many problems, is an interesting exercise in contemporary akan philosophy.
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. Kwame gyekye born is a ghanaian philosopherand ghekye important figure in the development of modern african philosophy. 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. Thus, the works of a prominent african philosopher, namely, kwame gyekye, will get some attention.
View notes gyekye person and community in african thought. 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. Innocent onyewuenyi, is there an african philosophy studies 3, no. 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. University of chicago press, 1962 or kwame gyekye s an essay on african philosophical thought. Module pls1502 year of publication 2002 title of publication person and community in.
Professor kwame gyekye is a distinguished african intellectual who has made significant contributions to core issues in african and western political philosophy. After each investigation, both levels of perception, together with their implications, will be tested for validity. Pdf introduction to african philosophy study guide. African philosophy is philosophy produced by african people, philosophy which presents african worldviews, or philosophy that uses distinct african philosophical methods. Dec 29, 2015 african philosophy is philosophy produced by african people, philosophy which presents african worldviews, or philosophy that uses distinct african philosophical methods. 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. 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.
University of chicago press, 1962 or kwame gyekyes an essay on african philosophical thought. View notes gyekyeperson and community in african thought. Publication date 1995 topics philosophy, akan, ghana intellectual life. Kwame gyekye on african ethics heres a new stanford entry. The akan conceptual scheme 9781566393805 by gyekye, kwame and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Introduction to philosophy in an african perspective, cletus n. 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.
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. Kwame gyekye on african ethics philosophy in a time of. Gyekye was professor of philosophy at the university of ghana, and a visiting professor of philosophy and african american studies at temple university. 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.
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. Kwame gyekye on african ethics philosophy in a time of error. It is intended to be used with a textbook it was written for published in 2002 under oxford university press as philosophy from africa. Module pls1502 2002 person and community in african thought. In his major book, tradition and modernity 1997, gyekye presents arguments for his version of moderate communitarianism. African philosophy is the philosophical discourse produced by indigenous africans and their descendants, including african americans. Given that ghanaian life is suffused with speculative thought, it is.
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