Difference Between African Philosophy And African Philosophy

African philosophy has been defined as philosophy in light terms. It has faced many struggles based on being defined as is, however it may be known that African philosophy is genuine philosophy. In the following paragraphs, it shall be discussed as too how African philosophy is genuine philosophy through comparing philosophy and African philosophy. The issue of transmission of philosophy shall be highlighted as well as the nature of African philosophy and philosophy.
To discuss and present arguments towards philosophy and African philosophy a solid definition of philosophy needs to be established for the umbrella term where various philosophies, that dominate other parts of the world, fall under. As expressed by Joseph I. Omoregde, “To philosophise
It should be understood that philosophy can be understood by the challenges that it is presented with from different spectrums of the world. Philosophy is many respects has been understood to be systematic. Systematic implying that philosophy has been done in a structured manner or in a methodical manner. Philosophy can define as the search for the understanding of values and the nature of reality. Philosophy may too be defined as the disposition of thinking. Having defined philosophy we can now translate this to African philosophy. African Philosophy continues to face challenges and it all beings with wonder. The three steps of philosophical activity all apply in African philosophy the only major difference is that the energy of philosophy is directed at African reality and values. For example, this essay itself is the reflection of African Philosophy as the focus of this essay
The second step would be to understand the nature of the subject matter. The nature of philosophy and especially African Philosophy has been explained and can be understood at best as described by Omoregde as, “the tendency to philosophise is part of human nature.” – (Joseph I. Omoregde, pp3 - 8) and as part of human nature follows the transmission of philosophy from generation to generation. It is understood that colonisation by the West resulted in African having the ability to record African Philosophies on a physical form similar to the Western colonisers, however, before colonisation and other influences the African people transmitted philosophy through oral traditions. An argument raised by various scholars imply that the rejection of African Philosophy is due to the lack of physical evidence, however, “the absence of writing does not justify the assertion of the inexistence of philosophy in present traditional African thought” –(Issaika P. Laleye, pp86 - 96.) Traditional practices similar to philosophy has been carried down from generation to generation through oral tradition and this does not diminish the importance and value because we must realize that the philosophies that were passed down were a reflection of reality and values which have been cherished throughout generations and so oral traditions were rarely misinterpreted or miscommunicated to the