Understanding African Philosophy: A Cross-cultural Approach to Classical and Contemporary Issues

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Psychology Press, 2002 - Philosophy - 189 pages
Understanding African Philosophy serves as a critical guide to some of the most important issues in modern African philosophy. Richard Bell introduces readers to the complexity of Africa, the legacy of colonialism, the challenges of post independence Africa, and other recent developments in African Philosophy. Chapters discuss the value of African oral and written texts for philosophy, concepts of negritude, African socialism, and race, as well as current discussions in international development ethics connected to poverty and human suffering. Two chapters are focused on moral issues related to community, justice, and civic responsibility. Bell's sensitivity to and engagement with the complications of cross-cultural understandings help non-African readers connect with African culture and thought.

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Contents

Foundations of Modern African Philosophy
21
Liberation and Postcolonial African Philosophy
37
Community and Justice
59
Truth and Reconciliation
85
Orality and Icons
109
Some Concluding Remarks
135
Bibliography
171
Index
183
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About the author (2002)

Richard H. Bell is Professor of Philosophy at the College of Wooster. He is the author of several books including Simone Weil: The Way of Justice as Compassion (1998), co-author of Seeds of the Spirit: Wisdom of the Twentieth Century (1995) and editor of Simone Weil's Philosophy of Culture (1993).

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