Understanding African Philosophy

Understanding African Philosophyserves as a critical guide to some of the most important issues in modern African philosophy. Richard Bell introduces readers to the complexity of Africa, the legacy of colonialism, the challenges of post-independence Africa, and other recent developments in African Philosophy. Chapters discuss the value of African oral and written texts for philosophy, concepts of 'negritude', 'African socialism' and 'race' as well as current discussions in international development ethics connected to poverty and human suffering. Two chapters are focused on moral issues related to community, justice and civic responsibility. Bell's sensitivity to and engagement with the complications of cross-cultural understandings help non-African readers connect with African culture and thought.

Order an electronic Inspection Copy

Buy Printed Book

All Mobipocket & Microsoft eBooks are copy and print disabled. Adobe eBooks can be printed but not copied.

Click on an eBook format to add to cart.

Read about the eBook Formats.Buy Printed Book.

Table of contents : Preface Acknowledgements 1. Understanding Another Culture: Understanding others and ourselves; A procedure from an aesthetic point of view; 'Found in Translation' 2. Foundations in Modern Philosophy: Ethnophilosophy and the 'negritude' movement; Critical, scientific philosophy; Sage philosophy 3. Liberation and Postcolonial African Philosophy: African humanism and socialism; Postcolonial African thought; The question of 'race' 4. African Moral Philosophy I: Community and Justice: Persons, individualism and communalism; Suffering and injustice; Poverty and human development 5. African Moral Philosophy II: Truth, Justice and Reconciliation: Linking communalism, ubuntu and 'restorative justice'; Understanding the grammar of justice after apartheid; 'Not all storytelling heals': Criticisms of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process; Justice and political transformation 6. Narrative in African Philosophy: Orality and Icons: The philosophical significance of oral narratives; Rational dialogue, democracy and the village palaver; Finding pictures and fictitious narratives 'surprising'; Iconic forms and the aesthetic consciousness revisited Some Concluding Remarks Bibliography Index