Problems in the Further Implementation of Sage Philosophy
ABSTRACT: With the recent death of Prof. H. Odera Oruka, founder of the ‘sage philosophy’ school of research based at the University of Nairobi, there is a need to look at some now-problematic issues. I suggest that the original impetus for starting the sage philosophy project-the defense against Euro-American skeptics who thought Africans incapable of philosophizing-has been outgrown. The present need for studies of African sages is to benefit from their wisdom, both in Africa and around the world. I also suggest that the title ‘sage’ has to be problematized. While there were good reasons to focus earlier on rural elders as overlooked wise philosophers, the emphasis now should be on admiring philosophical thought wherever it may be found—in women, youth, and urban Africans as well. In such a way, philosophy will be further relevant to people’s lives, and further light will be shed and shared regarding the lived experience in Africa.
Odera Oruka’s Own Criticism of Sage Philosophy
Despite his pride in launching what many consider an important project in African philosophy, the writings of Odera Oruka himself express some doubts about the project. For example, in his essay "Philosophy in East Africa and the Future of Philosophical Research in Africa," he seems to refer to his own project as one of passing historical significance. There, after criticizing Tempels and other ethnophilosophers, he admits that he himself "indulge(s) in some kind of anthropological-cum-philosophical research." He said projects like his own sage philosophy and Sumner's researches into historical texts of Ethiopian philosophy were necessary at that historical point, but would soon give way to nationalist-ideological and professional-technical philosophy, trends he saw as more central to the future of African philosophy. In "Sage Philosophy Revisited," he states that "sage philosophy started as a reaction to a position which Europeans had adopted about Africa that Africans are not capable of philosophy." So, does this imply that once Europeans change their perceptions of Africans, there will no longer be a need for professional philosophers to search out the ideas of wise rural sages? Even in this late essay, Odera
Oruka continues to suggest that his work merely serves as a "base" for other forms of philosophy which will emerge in the future, but which he can't imagine right now. By "base" he seems to mean a collection of texts to which professional academic philosophers can turn, instead of always consulting European ones [Odera Oruka (1996, Ch.
The formation of the Africana Studies Project includes Knowledge, Power, and Humanity. This insurrectionary intellectual formation examines the worlds of meaning, thought, and expression of Africans, reconstructing new meanings and possibilities for humanity. Development of African American Studies has increased awareness of the contribution of African Americans to the civilizations of the world, using its many themes and concepts, while also displaying many issues. One main issue of this, is the lack of Africana knowledge. For African American discipline to advance, its focal point must be the production and utilization of knowledge, to develop solutions to various issues in our society.
In the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston uses symbolism to better reveal moods and emotions throughout novel. The horizon represents Janie’s goals that take most of her life to reach, Janie’s hair represents her independence and domination, and the pear tree represents love and sexuality.
Kochman, S. M. (1997). What happens when a high school censors. English Journal 86 (2), 58-60.
Philosopher, Edmund Burke once said, “… People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors” (www.brainyquote.com). In regards to Caribbean writers, one writer who it can be said is apt in the intricacies and also perpetuation of African ancestralism is Kamau Brathwaite. Kofi Anyidoho, presently a literature professor at the University of Ghana, in his article “Kamau Brathwaite and the Gift of Ancestral Memory” highlights in great details how Brathwaite’s looking back to the motherland greatly influences his work. In making his points Anyidoho uses inter-textual evidence and also views of persons with specialty in the same area. Structurally, the article is divided in three sections simplifying and zeroing on specific aspects that Anyidoho wants to highlight with great success. Additionally, his diction is indicative of a high academic standard and also of knowledge of African language and culture hence, in the end, one is forced to agree with him that the works of Brathwaite is heavily influenced by his time spent throughout the motherland and also areas of the Caribbean.
Connelly, Deborah S. "To Read or Not To Read: Understanding Book Censorship." Community & Junior College Libraries, vol. 15, 2009, 83-90. Academic Search Complete,search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip, custuid&custid=s8455861&db=a9h&AN=37293993&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
According to the article “Literary Censorship in Schools Impedes Progress” by Adriana Lopez, she makes the argument that by schools banning books they are impeding students creativity and ability to learn about, and experience second-hand, the world around them. By limiting what students are exposed to, it blocks their experience and creativity, and schools should help expand students creativity, not limit it. Censored books also help society as a whole become more progressive. By reading these diverse books and opening up people’s eyes to some of the hardships that others face it allows children to be more accepting of people’s differences. By banning these diverse books it teaches young children to be discriminatory against these
Khapoya, Vincent B. The African Experience: An Introduction. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1998. Print.
ABSTRACT: Subjective knowledge should not be separated from anthropology. But, unfortunately, this is the prevailing practice. The anthropology of Bo expresses the presence of Africa in anthropology. The authenticity of the African is found in his fervent practice of Bo. His thought, action, relations with others-his entire way of life-is based on the practice of Bo insofar as he wears Bo names. Bo is deeply rooted in his cultural values and comprises the background for all social organizations and thus acts as a social regulator. In Western anthropology there is a scientific mind; in African anthropology there is a Bo mentality that attempts to understand the world and then conquer it.
In our worlds and in our society, books and reading have become very popular and have a big impact on today’s world and education. Books are all around us and are always being read and some people choose to challenge and/or banned them from places such as a school library.At any given time, a teacher, student, parent, or administrator can be reading a book and think it is explicit or offensive in any way then they can choose to go to someone and see about getting the book removed from the library. Books get banned for all kinds of reasons. They usually are banned for using offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to any age group. An example, since Jayne was telling Mrs. Pope about her book, “Brave New World”
Have you ever wondered about the impact book censorship has on our society? Book Censorship is when a government official or someone with power decides to ban a book, based on the information inside. We should have Book Censorship in schools because kids should be exposed to the real world, Some parents rely on schools to prepare their kids for real life, and kids will mature easier.
Books allow authors to express their thoughts, teach generations, and entertain the world with remarkable nonfictional and fictitious stories from the past, present, and future. Each story has its own ability to expand a reader’s knowledge and create a world full of possibilities and imagination. However, there is a thin line between what books are acceptable and inappropriate in the American education system, causing many books to be challenged. Book censoring is an act that removes offensive materials from circulation, which creates confrontations and curriculum modifications in American schools. To understand the purpose of book censorship and its impact on American education, this essay will examine why books are challenged in schools and
Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, is certainly the world’s most widely read African novel; it focuses on the life of Okonkwo a respected male in the early 1800’s in the Umuofia tribe of the Igbo people. Things Fall Apart, has gained much acknowledgment and recognition by virtue of its unique portrayal of life in the early 1800’s in colonial Africa. It has sparked controversy and debate between scholars; as a result of it being written by an African in 1958, this type of writing had never been seen before. This particular controversy was actually what Chinua Achebe, a celebrated 20th century Nigerian novelist was anticipating, when he composed Things Fall Apart, to describe Nigerian culture and the clash between indigenous African cultures with the traditional European culture.
Nairobi: Heinemann Educational Books Ltd, 1978. _____________. African Religions and Philosophy. New York: Anchor Books, 1970. Shorter, Aylward.
In the Bible angels are mentioned a lot. “They were created beings (Psalms 148:2 Psalms 148:5 ), and were exuberant witnesses when God brought the world into being (Job 38:7 )” (Wilson). In the Bible, they are mentioned mainly when God wants messages delivered to people. Now in the Bible, it does tell how not all angels were trustworthy and they did not always listen and obey God. “By nature they were spiritual entities, and thus not subject to the limitations of human flesh. Although holy, angels co...
The widely known novel named Things Fall Apart was written by a man by the name of Chinua Achebe. Things Fall Apart represents the cultural roots of the Igbos in order to provide self-confidence, but at the same time refers them to universal principles which vitiate their destructive potential (Rhoads 61). As the reader continues through the narrative and learn more in depth about the characters a sense of pride, trust, and faith in history come into view. Seeing Achebe’s duty as a writer in a new nation as showing his people the dignity that they had lost during the colonial period, he sets out to illustrate that before the European colonial powers entered Africa, the Igbos had a philosophy of great depth and value and beauty, that they had poetry and, above all, they had dignity (Rhoads 61). Yet, with the introduction of colonialism the characters must learn to accept and get used to a new culture and set of beliefs or face termination from society. The novel focuses on the troubles of African cultures and their struggle to adjust to colonialism. As the novel progresses, one can also observe the influence of religion over time and how it has changed in many societies. Although many readers would describe the colonialism in Africa as something normal and something you can not prevent; a closer look of this novel would suggest that the needs of human nature to expand their values and beliefs upon others causes ancient cultures to evolve or fade out of existence. Things Fall Apart in part is a statement of what the future might be if Nigeria were to take advantage of the promising aspects of its past and to eliminate the unpromising ones (Rhoads 62).