What is African Philosophy?

Abstract

The article focuses on the concept of African philosophy. I enter the discussion with some of the earliest texts that we can classify both as philosophical and of African origin. I proceed with an overview of four approaches to philosophising in Africa, as identified by Henry Oruka (ethno-philosophy, philosophic sagacity, nationalist-ideological philosophy, and professional philosophy) and, in reference to other categorisations, emphasise the critique by Peter Bodunrin, who attributes the status of true philosophy exclusively to professional or academic philosophy. The explication makes it evident that the question of African Philosophy is in essence the question of Philosophy itself.

Keywords

• African philosophy, ethno-philosophy, philosophic sagacity, nationalist-ideological philosophy, professional philosophy