PSE4801
Assignment 1 2025
Unique number:
Due Date: May 2025
This document includes:
Helpful answers and guidelines
Detailed explanations and/ or calculations
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+27 68 812 0934
,© Study Shack 2025. All rights Reserved +27 68 812 0934
, 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
© Study Shack 2025. All rights Reserved +27 68 812 0934
Assignment 1 2025
Unique number:
Due Date: May 2025
This document includes:
Helpful answers and guidelines
Detailed explanations and/ or calculations
References
Connect with the tutor on
+27 68 812 0934
,© Study Shack 2025. All rights Reserved +27 68 812 0934
, 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
© Study Shack 2025. All rights Reserved +27 68 812 0934
