Answer to Question #311244 in Philosophy for Presh

Question

Towards the end of his seminal essay: The Struggle for Reason in Africa, Ramose (2002) makes the assertion that “To deny the existence of African philosophy is also to reject the very idea of philosophy.”

Discuss this claim in reference to the arguments that he provides in regard to the “history of rationality” in Africa.

Guidelines:

In your discussion also examine the strengths and weaknesses of his claim and whether you agree with their arguments.

Answer 1

Introduction

African philosophy is the rational reflection of Africans on their factual views. It considers time, individuality, territory, and other issues in the same way. Western philosophy does. Ramos argues in his book. The Battle for Thinking in Africa, released in 1998 that it is critical to expose. Western philosophy to a variety of philosophical traditions arising beyond Europe.

Deny to the existence of African Philosophy

Starting with Hegel, many have disputed the validity of African philosophy. Many African philosophers have been influenced by the belief that Western philosophy is common to all humans. As a result, modern African ideas have emphasized similarity to the West rather than differences.

Following a century of Western discourse on Africa, the deconstructionist obstacle must undoubtedly uncover and disclose the restricting concepts, attitudes, beliefs, and ideologies that plague the African mind.

Those institutions, which were never intended to reform African cultures, are vehicles for ideas established at the detriment of African historical heritage. As an outcome, African philosophers will need to reconsider the principles, notions, attitudes, and biases that shaped such organizations.

The reconstructive task is embodied by NgugiwaThiong'o's attempt to decolonize the African mentality (NgugiwaThiong'o, 1996/2009). As one of the opposing viewpoints and paradigms in philosophy, African philosophy seeks to whittle down Western philosophy's secular humanism by opening up other rich options within its scope.

Deny To the Existence of African Philosophy

The problem of defining rationality norms has established a central subject in Anglophone philosophy. It has sparked discussions among social anthropologists, sociologists, and science philosophers. On the other hand, some say that formal rational methods are the distinguishing quality of science, that they replace common sense and are global.

Pluralists are on one side of the debate, arguing for the diversity of human experience and representational systems. The latter group includes the majority of African cultural collectivists. This is because they define culture as a person's perspective and way of living.

      The Latin word ratio, which can be interpreted as "reason" in English, is the root of the "rational." Rational conduct or attitude is based only on sound reasoning. As a noun, “rationality” refers to the ability of humans to distinguish between different facts.

Conclusively, African Philosophy as a contemporary art form is not a new phenomenon; it has evolved for a long time.