HED4804
Assignment 2 2025
Unique #:
Due Date: 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, CONCEPTUALISING AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION AS THE
CREATION OF CONCEPTS-IN-PLACE
1. INTRODUCTION
In today’s complex world of cultural diversity, inequality, and rapidly evolving
educational systems, philosophy plays a vital role in shaping meaningful and
transformative education. Philosophy helps us question and rethink educational
goals, values, and practices. African philosophy of education, grounded in the lived
realities, traditions, and struggles of African people, provides a unique and critical
lens through which we can understand and reform education. This essay explores
African philosophy of education as the creation of ―concepts-in-place‖—ideas formed
in and for specific contexts, yet open to broader relevance. I begin by defining
philosophy and explaining its importance in education. I then examine the
relationship between place, concepts, and educational philosophy. Using insights
from Waghid and Higgs and reflecting on my South African experience, I
demonstrate how place-based thinking can empower educators. I conclude by
arguing that this approach helps educators become more ethical, responsive, and
reflective in addressing educational challenges.
2. PHILOSOPHY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PHILOSOPHISING ABOUT
EDUCATION IN A COMPLEX WORLD
2.1 Defining Philosophy
Philosophy, traditionally defined, is the love of wisdom. It involves the critical
examination of fundamental beliefs and values through reasoning, questioning, and
reflective analysis (Hansen, 2011). Philosophy seeks clarity, coherence, and
justification of ideas. In the context of education, philosophy helps interrogate the
aims, values, and methods of teaching and learning, providing a foundation for
thoughtful action and reform.
African philosophy, more specifically, is not simply a derivative of Western modes of
thought but arises from African lived realities, traditions, and social challenges. As
Waghid and Davids (2014) argue, African philosophy of education must be
understood as rooted in the continent’s historical and socio-political conditions and
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
Assignment 2 2025
Unique #:
Due Date: 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, CONCEPTUALISING AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION AS THE
CREATION OF CONCEPTS-IN-PLACE
1. INTRODUCTION
In today’s complex world of cultural diversity, inequality, and rapidly evolving
educational systems, philosophy plays a vital role in shaping meaningful and
transformative education. Philosophy helps us question and rethink educational
goals, values, and practices. African philosophy of education, grounded in the lived
realities, traditions, and struggles of African people, provides a unique and critical
lens through which we can understand and reform education. This essay explores
African philosophy of education as the creation of ―concepts-in-place‖—ideas formed
in and for specific contexts, yet open to broader relevance. I begin by defining
philosophy and explaining its importance in education. I then examine the
relationship between place, concepts, and educational philosophy. Using insights
from Waghid and Higgs and reflecting on my South African experience, I
demonstrate how place-based thinking can empower educators. I conclude by
arguing that this approach helps educators become more ethical, responsive, and
reflective in addressing educational challenges.
2. PHILOSOPHY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PHILOSOPHISING ABOUT
EDUCATION IN A COMPLEX WORLD
2.1 Defining Philosophy
Philosophy, traditionally defined, is the love of wisdom. It involves the critical
examination of fundamental beliefs and values through reasoning, questioning, and
reflective analysis (Hansen, 2011). Philosophy seeks clarity, coherence, and
justification of ideas. In the context of education, philosophy helps interrogate the
aims, values, and methods of teaching and learning, providing a foundation for
thoughtful action and reform.
African philosophy, more specifically, is not simply a derivative of Western modes of
thought but arises from African lived realities, traditions, and social challenges. As
Waghid and Davids (2014) argue, African philosophy of education must be
understood as rooted in the continent’s historical and socio-political conditions and
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
