PLS1501
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: March 2026
QUESTION 1
Philosophy, in my view, is the broad human practice of asking and answering deep
questions about reality, knowledge, ethics, politics and what it means to be human. It
develops concepts and arguments that help societies make sense of life, power and justice.
Western philosophy is one historical and cultural tradition within philosophy. It grew mainly
from European intellectual histories and, in South Africa, it arrived through conquest,
missionary schooling, colonial universities and later apartheid shaped institutions (Day 2008;
Phillips 2003). Because it often presents itself as neutral and universal, it can hide its own
cultural starting points and political interests (Mills 1998; Mazrui 1978).
Study Unit 1 shows that Western philosophy in South Africa did not arrive as a neutral body
of ideas. It travelled with conquest, settler schooling and the building of universities that
copied the “metropole” in curriculum and procedures, while remaining largely ignorant of
African realities (Phillips 2003: 123–126).
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By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: March 2026
QUESTION 1
Philosophy, in my view, is the broad human practice of asking and answering deep
questions about reality, knowledge, ethics, politics and what it means to be human. It
develops concepts and arguments that help societies make sense of life, power and justice.
Western philosophy is one historical and cultural tradition within philosophy. It grew mainly
from European intellectual histories and, in South Africa, it arrived through conquest,
missionary schooling, colonial universities and later apartheid shaped institutions (Day 2008;
Phillips 2003). Because it often presents itself as neutral and universal, it can hide its own
cultural starting points and political interests (Mills 1998; Mazrui 1978).
Study Unit 1 shows that Western philosophy in South Africa did not arrive as a neutral body
of ideas. It travelled with conquest, settler schooling and the building of universities that
copied the “metropole” in curriculum and procedures, while remaining largely ignorant of
African realities (Phillips 2003: 123–126).
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
