PSE4801
ASSIGNMENT 1
MEMO | DUE 15
MAY 2025
NO PLAGIARISM
Abstract
[Draw your reader in with an engaging abstract. It is typically a short summary of the document.
When you’re ready to add your content, just click here and start typing.]
user
[Email address]
,Exam (elaborations)
PSE4801 Assignment 1 Memo | Due 15 May
2025
Course
Philosophy and Sociology of Education (PSE4801)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
PSE4801 Assignment 1 Memo | Due 15 May 2025. All questions answered.
SHORT ORIENTATION
QUESTIONS 1. African philosophy and education 1.1 Define African
philosophy. (5)
1.1 Define African philosophy. (5 marks)
African philosophy refers to the systematic study of ideas and beliefs that originate from the
African continent and are rooted in the cultures, traditions, and worldviews of African people. It
involves critical reflection on African values, experiences, history, and knowledge systems, often
focusing on community, harmony, respect for elders, and interconnectedness. African
philosophy can be both traditional (oral and cultural practices passed through generations) and
modern (written, academic interpretations by African scholars).
Key elements often include:
Ubuntu (humanity towards others)
Holism (interconnectedness of all life)
Communalism (importance of community over the individual)
Respect for nature and ancestors
Orality and storytelling as sources of knowledge
1.1 Definition of African Philosophy:
, African philosophy is the critical, reflective, and systematic study of the ideas, beliefs, values,
and practices that originate from the African continent and its people. It seeks to understand and
articulate the worldview, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and cultural logic of African
societies, both traditional and modern.
It includes both traditional African thought systems (often passed orally) and modern
philosophical reflections by African scholars who engage with African experiences, languages,
and identities in a philosophical manner.
Key Characteristics:
Rooted in African culture and experience
Emphasizes communalism, ubuntu (humaneness), and harmony
Draws from oral traditions, proverbs, myths, and rituals
Can be both ethnophilosophical (based on collective thought) and professional
philosophy (academic and critical)
1.2 Explain why Waghid and Higgs (2017) adopted the view of “mutual
attunement”. (5)
1.2 Explain why Waghid and Higgs (2017) adopted the view of “mutual attunement”. (5
marks)
Waghid and Higgs (2017) adopted the view of “mutual attunement” to emphasize the
importance of dialogue, understanding, and shared meaning in African philosophy of
education. They believed that education should not be a one-sided transmission of knowledge,
but rather a collaborative process where learners and teachers engage reciprocally.
Their use of mutual attunement reflects:
The African value of communalism, where learning is a shared experience.
The belief that knowledge is co-constructed through respectful interaction.
A focus on relational ethics, where individuals listen, respond, and adjust to one another
in the learning space.
The promotion of critical engagement, rather than rote learning or authoritarian
teaching.
By encouraging mutual attunement, they aimed to develop democratic and inclusive
educational practices rooted in African philosophical traditions.
ASSIGNMENT 1
MEMO | DUE 15
MAY 2025
NO PLAGIARISM
Abstract
[Draw your reader in with an engaging abstract. It is typically a short summary of the document.
When you’re ready to add your content, just click here and start typing.]
user
[Email address]
,Exam (elaborations)
PSE4801 Assignment 1 Memo | Due 15 May
2025
Course
Philosophy and Sociology of Education (PSE4801)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
PSE4801 Assignment 1 Memo | Due 15 May 2025. All questions answered.
SHORT ORIENTATION
QUESTIONS 1. African philosophy and education 1.1 Define African
philosophy. (5)
1.1 Define African philosophy. (5 marks)
African philosophy refers to the systematic study of ideas and beliefs that originate from the
African continent and are rooted in the cultures, traditions, and worldviews of African people. It
involves critical reflection on African values, experiences, history, and knowledge systems, often
focusing on community, harmony, respect for elders, and interconnectedness. African
philosophy can be both traditional (oral and cultural practices passed through generations) and
modern (written, academic interpretations by African scholars).
Key elements often include:
Ubuntu (humanity towards others)
Holism (interconnectedness of all life)
Communalism (importance of community over the individual)
Respect for nature and ancestors
Orality and storytelling as sources of knowledge
1.1 Definition of African Philosophy:
, African philosophy is the critical, reflective, and systematic study of the ideas, beliefs, values,
and practices that originate from the African continent and its people. It seeks to understand and
articulate the worldview, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and cultural logic of African
societies, both traditional and modern.
It includes both traditional African thought systems (often passed orally) and modern
philosophical reflections by African scholars who engage with African experiences, languages,
and identities in a philosophical manner.
Key Characteristics:
Rooted in African culture and experience
Emphasizes communalism, ubuntu (humaneness), and harmony
Draws from oral traditions, proverbs, myths, and rituals
Can be both ethnophilosophical (based on collective thought) and professional
philosophy (academic and critical)
1.2 Explain why Waghid and Higgs (2017) adopted the view of “mutual
attunement”. (5)
1.2 Explain why Waghid and Higgs (2017) adopted the view of “mutual attunement”. (5
marks)
Waghid and Higgs (2017) adopted the view of “mutual attunement” to emphasize the
importance of dialogue, understanding, and shared meaning in African philosophy of
education. They believed that education should not be a one-sided transmission of knowledge,
but rather a collaborative process where learners and teachers engage reciprocally.
Their use of mutual attunement reflects:
The African value of communalism, where learning is a shared experience.
The belief that knowledge is co-constructed through respectful interaction.
A focus on relational ethics, where individuals listen, respond, and adjust to one another
in the learning space.
The promotion of critical engagement, rather than rote learning or authoritarian
teaching.
By encouraging mutual attunement, they aimed to develop democratic and inclusive
educational practices rooted in African philosophical traditions.
