African Philosophy in Search of Identity (African Systems of Thought) [Paperback]

D. A. Masolo (Author)

Book Description

Series: African Systems of Thought | Publication Date: August 22, 1994

"... a great read. It is masterfully presented, and is an ideal text both for advanced undergraduates and graduate students." —International Journal of African Historical Studies

"... a detailed, critical guide to fifty years of African philosophy... " —Teaching Philosophy

"Masolo offers an expansive and lucidly panoramic view of the origin and developments in African philosophy." —Africa Today

"The excellence of this book lies in the wealth of perspectives that it brings to the discussion on what constitutes philosophy, rationality, and meaningful reflection. It is both thought provoking and illuminating." —Ethics

A Kenyan philosopher surveys themes and debates in African philosophy over the last five decades. Masolo's purview includes Francophone and Anglophone philosophers in both the analytic and phenomenological traditions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A masterful review of the work of the major participants in the debate ... the organisation of the book lends itself to use as a textbook on the subject. This is an impressive undertaking, accomplished with considerable clarity. -- Louis Brenner A masterful review of the work of the major participants in the debate ... the organisation of the book lends itself to use as a textbook on the subject. This is an impressive undertaking, accomplished with considerable clarity. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

D. A. MASOLO is Visiting Professor of Philosophy at Antioch College and Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Nairobi.

Product Details

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (August 22, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253207754
• ISBN-13: 978-0253207753
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,285,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best encyclopedic account of 20th century African Philosophy, July 17, 2000

By 

Lewis R. Gordon (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: African Philosophy in Search of Identity (African Systems of Thought) (Paperback)

Masolo has written perhaps the best encyclopedic account of 20th century African philosophy. His exploration of the problem of articulating reason in the African context, a context burdened by the imposition of colonialism, racism, and the perils and anxiety of metaphilosophical reflections on philosophy (epistemologically, ontologically, and politically understood) is balanced and erudite. I teach this book regularly in my Contemporary African Philosophy course at Brown University and I provide a discussion of it in my book, HER MAJESTY'S OTHER CHILDREN. My main concern, by way of criticism of the text, is its appeal to pragmatism in places that are clearly existential. This is a problem endemic to pragmatism, however, since the category of experience often raises similar sets of problems as in existential philosophy. No pragmatist, for instance, believes in a prior essence. That said, read this work. It is illuminating, and it is a valuable guide for anyone interested in 20th century philosophy.