The folds in paulin hountondjis african philosophy, myth and reality article pdf available in philosophical papers 391. The specific concept of narrative in african philosophy and its value for crosscultural understanding will surface often and be developed in several ways throughout the book. Choice in this incisive, original exploration of the nature and future of african philosophy, paulin j. Myth and reality african systems of thought 2nd edition by hountondji, paulin j. African philosopher should learn from the traditions, tales, myths and proverbs of his people, so as to draw from them the laws of a true african wisdom complementary to the other forms. The meaning and nature of african philosophy in a globalising. Hountondji and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Myth and reality, by paulin hountondji, which was published by hutchinson in june 1983. Reflections on philosophy, culture, and democracy in africa ohio ris africa series 9780896802254 by hountondji, paulin j. Ozumba the place of oral tradition in african epistemology a.
Since the 1970s he has taught at the universite nationale du benin in cotonou, where he is professor of philosophy. Paulin hountondji on philosophy and decolonisation. Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers such as placide tempels and alexis kagame that there is an indigenous, collective african philosophy separate and. All our physical stores and our online store are temporarily closed. Feminism and nationalism in the third world 1986, by kumari jayawardena. African sage philosophy is the name now commonly given to the body of thought produced by persons considered wise in african communities, and more specifically refers to those who seek a rational foundation for ideas and concepts used to describe and view the world by critically examining the justification of those ideas and concepts. Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers such as placide tempels and alexis kagame that there. Apart from his highly influential book, african philosophy. Paulin hountondji, africian philosophy, and philosophical methodology.
Myth and reality, one of the most influential books on african philosophy. With this criticism hountondji started an ongoing debate about the status of african philosophy, the status and value of ethnophilosophy, and the position of placide tempels in african philosophy. Myth and reality 1976, which included his compelling insights on ethnophilosophy, nkrumahs philosophy of consciencism, and amos philosophical dilemmas and metaphilosophical questionsand which was named one of africas 100 best books of the 20th century in 2000 hountondji. John contehmorgan is a professor in the department of french and italian and african and african american studies at. Translated by henri evans with the collaboration of jonathan ree. Paulin hountondji born 11 april 1942 in abidjan, cote divoire is a beninese philosopher, politician and academic. Paulin hountondji, african philosophy, and philosophical. An african philosopher in germany in the eighteenth century. The eleven papers in this anthology all by africans, represent a variety of philosophical positions that are central to the debate in and on african philosophy as it has developed thus far. Hountondji was born in the ivory coast, and received his higher education in paris, where he was a pupil of althusser in the middle 1960s.
With his sharp and argumentative style of writing and with his outspoken position. Paulin hountondji, the beninese philosopher, is best known for african philosophy. Paulin j hountondji in this seminal exploration of the nature and future of african philosophy, paulin j. Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers such as placide temples and alexis kagame that there is an indigenous, collective african philosophy, separate and distinct from the western philosophical tradition.
The reader may also wish to include the present book and some. Clarence shole johnson 1998 southern journal of philosophy 36 2. Hountondji is one of the most important and controversial figures in contemporary african philosophy. Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers such as placide tempels and alexis kagame that there is an indigenous, collective african philosophy separate and distinct from the western philosophical tradition. Indiana university press, 1983 was awarded the herskovits prize in 1984. The six best books on african philosophy the daily idea. Paulin hountondji, african philosophy, myth and reality 1974. In this seminal exploration of the nature and future of african philosophy, paulin j. His critique of ethnophilosophy as a colonial, exoticising and racialized undertaking provoked contentious debates among african intellectuals on the proper methods and scope of philosophy and science in an african and global context since the 1970s. Paragon house, home of books that make a difference. One of the most discussed papers in african philosophy is paulin. In the early 1990s he briefly served as minister of education and minister for culture and communications in. The american version of his book philosophie africaine.
Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers such as. The most devastating critique came from paulin hountondji, a french trained philosopher and husserl scholar from benin. Maspero, 1976 featured on the list of africas 100 best books of the 20th century. Myth and reality, hountondji exposed as unwarranted a number of temples assumptions. An alienated literature history of a myth african philosophy, myth and reality philosophy and its revolutions pt. In a series of articles, later collated into a book, african philosophy. Hountondjis deep understanding of any civilization as necessarily pluralistic, and often even selfcontradicting as it evolves, is simply magisterial. What you should know about contemporary african philosophy. The folds in paulin hountondji s african philosophy, myth and reality article pdf available in philosophical papers 391. Myth and reality african systems of thought by paulin j. The article printed below is extracted from african philosophy. African philosophy, second edition indiana university press. The book is part of the 100 best african books of the 20th century selected in accra in the year 2000.
To this colour of minds, the outcome of the second congress of negro. Paulin hountondji, african philosophy, myth and reality. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Myth and reality african systems of thought 2 by paulin j. The meaning and nature of african philosophy in a globalising world international journal of humanities social sciences and education ijhsse page 88 philosophy would be nothing more than asking and offering rational explanations of the universe. During the extraordinarily intense debates on the future trajectory of modern african philosophy at the dawn of african independence, paulin j hountondji, along with the likes of kwasi wiredu of ghana, henry odera oruka of kenya and peter o bodunrin of nigeriaa group. Hountondji translated from the french by henri evans with the collaboration of. Thought about thought african philosophy, myth and reality. The meaning and nature of african philosophy in a globalising world.
It is part of the paulin hountondji tour initiated by the globalisation studies groningen gsg programme at the university of groningen, the prince claus fund for culture and development pcf and the university of munster. He is the director of the african centre of higher education in portonovo. In the early 1990s he briefly served as minister of education and minister for culture and communications in the government of benin. Uduigwomen the nature, function and logic of myth andrew f. Pdf paulin hountondji, african philosophy, myth and reality. A recapitulation of paulin hountondji s african philosophy. Myth and reality african systems of thought 9780253210968.
Bloomington, indiana university press samuel oluoch imbo an introduction to african philosophy 1998. Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers such as placide tempels and alexis kagame. Hountondji contends that ideological manifestations of this view that stress the. Paulin j hountondji in this incisive, original exploration of the nature and future of african philosophy, paulin j. Used books may not include companion materials, may have some shelf wear, may contain highlightingnotes. Receive email notifications on new books and special sales.
Aug 25, 2011 in this incisive, original exploration of the nature and future of african philosophy, paulin j. Faculty of philosophy, oude boteringestraat 52 attendance. Rereading of paulin hountondji, african philosophy, myth and reality, thought and practice nairobi, kenya 1. The politics of literature in colonial africa 1988, a. Footmarks on african philosophy in searchworks catalog. African sage philosophy stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Myth and reality, first published in french in 1976 and now considered a classic text in philosophy. Paulin hountondji is a beninese philosopher, politician and academic. The quest to establish a worldclass african philosophical. What is here called crosscultural understanding is itself a kind of compara.
This public lecture is hosted by the crg politics, governance and law in africa at the african studies centre leiden. This is a precious gem of a book for anyone who wishes to reflect on civilization and culture. Maurice muhatia makumba 2007 paulines publications africa. In his new book, left universalism, africacentric essays, the ghanaian philosopher ato sekyiotu writes that against the fashionable particularism of our times hountondji. African philosophy as critical humanism franziska dubgen and stefan skupien palgrave macmillan, 2019. Anton wilhelm amo the end of nkrumaism and the rebirth of nkrumah the idea of philosophy in nkrumahs consciencism true and. It leaves the task of conservation to matter books, documents, archives, etc. Imperialism, the highest stage of capitalism 1916, by lenin. The folds in paulin hountondjis african philosophy, myth. This book was first published in french in 1976, and its. Hountondji was born in the ivory coast, and received his higher education in paris, where he was a pupil of althusser in the middle 1960 s. In this incisive, original exploration of the nature and future of african philosophy, paulin j. Reflections on philosophy, culture, and democracy in africa ohio. Paulin hountondji is one of the most prominent african philosophers of the last fifty years.
39 1407 410 567 170 1301 284 642 1084 563 273 1416 635 1418 853 970 710 535 467 700 370 233 106 765 531 1304 816 1393 626 113 982 1063 698 1066 656