PLS1502
Assignment 2 Semester 1 2023
, “Defining African philosophy requires clarification of one's
assumptions at different levels. That complex question
What is African philosophy to be defined as? requires that
we understand, among other things:
1) what we are willing to count as philosophy in the
strictest sense;
2) what we are willing to count as philosophical texts;
3) who is making the definition and for what audience (the
question of motivations and intentions); and
4) one's ideological commitments.” - How is African
philosophy to be defined? /S.O. Imbo (p 46) “The question
whether or not African philosophy is possible or exists
continues to be debated. It is curious that the debate
seems endless even though strong arguments have been
advanced to demonstrate the actual existence of African
philosophy. Non-Africans are the principal initiators of this
question. They remain the ones who continue to keep the
question alive.
Thus, it is pertinent to ask,
(i) why they persist in raising this question and,
(ii) what is the meaning of this question?” - The struggle
for reason in Africa /M.B. Ramose (p 4) Why is the
definition of African philosophy an inherently political
exercise? Guidelines for answering the question: - In your
essay, critically reflect on the definitional dilemmas of
philosophy in general and African philosophy in particular.
- In answering the question, also attend to the problems
that universality and Eurocentrism present for philosophy
in the debates discussed in the prescribed readings and
study guide. OPTION B Critically compare Nkombe and
Smet’s classification of African philosophy with Oruka’s
four trends in African philosophy. Guidelines for
answering the question: - In your discussion briefly
highlight their strengths and weaknesses and state which
of the two classifications you prefer and why.
Assignment 2 Semester 1 2023
, “Defining African philosophy requires clarification of one's
assumptions at different levels. That complex question
What is African philosophy to be defined as? requires that
we understand, among other things:
1) what we are willing to count as philosophy in the
strictest sense;
2) what we are willing to count as philosophical texts;
3) who is making the definition and for what audience (the
question of motivations and intentions); and
4) one's ideological commitments.” - How is African
philosophy to be defined? /S.O. Imbo (p 46) “The question
whether or not African philosophy is possible or exists
continues to be debated. It is curious that the debate
seems endless even though strong arguments have been
advanced to demonstrate the actual existence of African
philosophy. Non-Africans are the principal initiators of this
question. They remain the ones who continue to keep the
question alive.
Thus, it is pertinent to ask,
(i) why they persist in raising this question and,
(ii) what is the meaning of this question?” - The struggle
for reason in Africa /M.B. Ramose (p 4) Why is the
definition of African philosophy an inherently political
exercise? Guidelines for answering the question: - In your
essay, critically reflect on the definitional dilemmas of
philosophy in general and African philosophy in particular.
- In answering the question, also attend to the problems
that universality and Eurocentrism present for philosophy
in the debates discussed in the prescribed readings and
study guide. OPTION B Critically compare Nkombe and
Smet’s classification of African philosophy with Oruka’s
four trends in African philosophy. Guidelines for
answering the question: - In your discussion briefly
highlight their strengths and weaknesses and state which
of the two classifications you prefer and why.
