PSE4801Assignment 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: May 2025
1. African Philosophy and Education
1.1 Define African philosophy.
African philosophy refers to a body of thought rooted in African cultural contexts,
experiences, and traditions. It is not a monolithic or essentialist system, but rather a
framework that gives voice to the continent‟s diverse histories, identities, and values. African
philosophy seeks to interpret reality through an African lens, incorporating principles such as
communalism, dignity, justice, and interconnectedness. It does not exclude other
philosophical traditions but engages with them critically. As noted in the reading, African
philosophy of education emphasises the importance of democratic justice, mutual respect,
and dialogue across differences. It addresses issues such as alienation, oppression, and
inequality through an inclusive and ethical perspective, rooted in African identities and
political histories. Importantly, African philosophy values lived experience as foundational,
shaping how education is theorised and practiced across the continent.
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
1. African Philosophy and Education
1.1 Define African philosophy.
African philosophy refers to a body of thought rooted in African cultural contexts,
experiences, and traditions. It is not a monolithic or essentialist system, but rather a
framework that gives voice to the continent‟s diverse histories, identities, and values.
African philosophy seeks to interpret reality through an African lens, incorporating
principles such as communalism, dignity, justice, and interconnectedness. It does
not exclude other philosophical traditions but engages with them critically. As noted
in the reading, African philosophy of education emphasises the importance of
democratic justice, mutual respect, and dialogue across differences. It addresses
issues such as alienation, oppression, and inequality through an inclusive and ethical
perspective, rooted in African identities and political histories. Importantly, African
philosophy values lived experience as foundational, shaping how education is
theorised and practiced across the continent.
1.2 Explain why Waghid and Higgs (2017) adopted the view of “mutual
attunement”.
Waghid and Higgs (2017) adopt the idea of “mutual attunement” to emphasise the
reciprocal relationship between theory and practice in education. In this view, neither
theory nor practice stands above the other. Educational theory is not abstract or
detached from reality; it emerges from human experiences and is shaped by the
challenges faced in daily life, particularly in African contexts. Likewise, educational
practices are not random—they reflect deeper philosophical and moral
commitments. By adopting this approach, Waghid and Higgs argue for an education
system that is democratic, just, and responsive to the lived experiences of all South
Africans. This mutual attunement allows theory to inform practice meaningfully, and
practice to reshape theory where necessary. For example, educational injustices
inherited from apartheid can only be addressed if theory listens to real problems and
proposes ways to engage all humans equally. Their idea of attunement is political
and ethical—it seeks to humanise education by ensuring that it serves justice,
inclusion, and transformation. This perspective insists that education must remain
Unique Number:
Due date: May 2025
1. African Philosophy and Education
1.1 Define African philosophy.
African philosophy refers to a body of thought rooted in African cultural contexts,
experiences, and traditions. It is not a monolithic or essentialist system, but rather a
framework that gives voice to the continent‟s diverse histories, identities, and values. African
philosophy seeks to interpret reality through an African lens, incorporating principles such as
communalism, dignity, justice, and interconnectedness. It does not exclude other
philosophical traditions but engages with them critically. As noted in the reading, African
philosophy of education emphasises the importance of democratic justice, mutual respect,
and dialogue across differences. It addresses issues such as alienation, oppression, and
inequality through an inclusive and ethical perspective, rooted in African identities and
political histories. Importantly, African philosophy values lived experience as foundational,
shaping how education is theorised and practiced across the continent.
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
1. African Philosophy and Education
1.1 Define African philosophy.
African philosophy refers to a body of thought rooted in African cultural contexts,
experiences, and traditions. It is not a monolithic or essentialist system, but rather a
framework that gives voice to the continent‟s diverse histories, identities, and values.
African philosophy seeks to interpret reality through an African lens, incorporating
principles such as communalism, dignity, justice, and interconnectedness. It does
not exclude other philosophical traditions but engages with them critically. As noted
in the reading, African philosophy of education emphasises the importance of
democratic justice, mutual respect, and dialogue across differences. It addresses
issues such as alienation, oppression, and inequality through an inclusive and ethical
perspective, rooted in African identities and political histories. Importantly, African
philosophy values lived experience as foundational, shaping how education is
theorised and practiced across the continent.
1.2 Explain why Waghid and Higgs (2017) adopted the view of “mutual
attunement”.
Waghid and Higgs (2017) adopt the idea of “mutual attunement” to emphasise the
reciprocal relationship between theory and practice in education. In this view, neither
theory nor practice stands above the other. Educational theory is not abstract or
detached from reality; it emerges from human experiences and is shaped by the
challenges faced in daily life, particularly in African contexts. Likewise, educational
practices are not random—they reflect deeper philosophical and moral
commitments. By adopting this approach, Waghid and Higgs argue for an education
system that is democratic, just, and responsive to the lived experiences of all South
Africans. This mutual attunement allows theory to inform practice meaningfully, and
practice to reshape theory where necessary. For example, educational injustices
inherited from apartheid can only be addressed if theory listens to real problems and
proposes ways to engage all humans equally. Their idea of attunement is political
and ethical—it seeks to humanise education by ensuring that it serves justice,
inclusion, and transformation. This perspective insists that education must remain
