Organized topically rather than historically, this book provides an excellent introduction to the subject of African Philosophy. Samuel Oluoch Imbo synthesizes the ideas of key African philosophers into an accessible narrative. The author focuses on five central questions: What are the definitions of African philosophy? Is ethno-philosophy really philosophy? What are the dangers of an African philosophy that claims to be 'unique'? Can African philosophy be done in foreign languages such as English and French? Are there useful ways to make connections between African philosophy, African American philosophy, and women's studies? By making cross-disciplinary and transnational connections, Imbo stakes out an important place for African philosophy. Imbo's book is an invaluable introduction to this dynamic and growing area of study.
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Throughout the book, Imbo's choice of issues and exposition of pro and con positions is excellent. He writes clearly and without jargon. As a concise and readable introduction to African philosophy, I can think of no better text. (Albert Mosley Teachin Philosophy )
Scholars in history, literature and cultural studies should find this book very useful as both a teaching tool and reference tool . . . There is essentially no work like this. It should have wide market appeal and be useable in a wide variety of academic contexts. The study questions at the end of each chapter are really useful. (Lawson, Bill E. )
A helpful companion to any of the excellent anthologies currently available. It would fill a gap for a brief accessible introductory text. There is no other text I know of that does what this author does at the introductory level . . . The book could be used in any of these courses: Topics in African Philosophy, and African-American Philosophy . . . (Jeffrey Crawford )
Well organized. . . (T.L. Lott CHOICE, February, 1999, Vol. 36, N0. 6 )
As an introductory text to African philosopy, Imbo's book is commendable for two reasons. First, it has great simplicity, clarity, and elegance. Second, it panoramically explores, analyzes, and synthesizes several key issues within African philosophy. . . . Imbo's volume will be an indispensible companion for those studying African philosophy and a necessary addition for any library monitoring the subject. (F. Ochieng-Odhiambo International Philosophical Quarterly )
Dr. Imbo's book provides a thoughtful survey of the controversies regarding the nature of African philosophy that have been raging among African philosophers in the last thirty years or so. The writing is clear and the approach, by comparison with some of the literature covered, calm . . . This book should give students a smooth introduction to the study of African philosophy and supply scholars with considerable food for thought. (Kwasi Wiredu )
An introduction, but a rich one in that it gives the reader a good insight into the many problems and different aspects which touch on African Philosophy. (HH Theology In Context )
A provocative and well-written book. This book is highly reccomened. (International Journal Of African Historical Studies )
Imbo's book does an excellent job of linking questions that have had their origins in the study of African philosophy to questions about the nature of philosophy in general. Imbo's book takes up an impressive array of questions, introduces readers to debates about nature of the philosophy generally, and deals openly and refreshingly with the political implications of the topics it takes up. Imbo's book is to be admired for its innovative treatment of the commonalities between African and feminist philosophy. His book itself is a political statement: it is calling for a place for African philosophy in the profession and the teaching of philosophy. And it recognizes that in demanding a place for African philosophy, we are ultimately asking "philosophy" to open doors not only to us but to the many philosophies and points of view it has previously excluded. (African Philosophy )
The book includes useful study questions at the end of each chapter, and should make a fine text for a variety of courses. (Philosophy East and West )
A particularly welcome addition. It sets out to constitute an undergraduate introduction, and is accordingly equipped with Study Questions, which will inevitably prompt students to further thought and reading. (Modern African Studies )
Scholars in history, literature and cultural studies should find this book very useful as both a teaching tool and reference tool . . . There is essentially no work like this. It should have wide market appeal and be useable in a wide variety of academic contexts. The study questions at the end of each chapter are really useful. (Lawson, Bill E. )
A helpful companion to any of the excellent anthologies currently available. It would fill a gap for a brief accessible introductory text. There is no other text I know of that does what this author does at the introductory level . . . The book could be used in any of these courses: Topics in African Philosophy, and African-American Philosophy . . . (Jeffrey Crawford )
Well organized. . . (T.L. Lott CHOICE, February, 1999, Vol. 36, N0. 6 )
As an introductory text to African philosopy, Imbo's book is commendable for two reasons. First, it has great simplicity, clarity, and elegance. Second, it panoramically explores, analyzes, and synthesizes several key issues within African philosophy. . . . Imbo's volume will be an indispensible companion for those studying African philosophy and a necessary addition for any library monitoring the subject. (F. Ochieng-Odhiambo International Philosophical Quarterly )
Dr. Imbo's book provides a thoughtful survey of the controversies regarding the nature of African philosophy that have been raging among African philosophers in the last thirty years or so. The writing is clear and the approach, by comparison with some of the literature covered, calm . . . This book should give students a smooth introduction to the study of African philosophy and supply scholars with considerable food for thought. (Kwasi Wiredu )
An introduction, but a rich one in that it gives the reader a good insight into the many problems and different aspects which touch on African Philosophy. (HH Theology In Context )
A provocative and well-written book. This book is highly reccomened. (International Journal Of African Historical Studies )
Imbo's book does an excellent job of linking questions that have had their origins in the study of African philosophy to questions about the nature of philosophy in general. Imbo's book takes up an impressive array of questions, introduces readers to debates about nature of the philosophy generally, and deals openly and refreshingly with the political implications of the topics it takes up. Imbo's book is to be admired for its innovative treatment of the commonalities between African and feminist philosophy. His book itself is a political statement: it is calling for a place for African philosophy in the profession and the teaching of philosophy. And it recognizes that in demanding a place for African philosophy, we are ultimately asking "philosophy" to open doors not only to us but to the many philosophies and points of view it has previously excluded. (African Philosophy )
The book includes useful study questions at the end of each chapter, and should make a fine text for a variety of courses. (Philosophy East and West )
A particularly welcome addition. It sets out to constitute an undergraduate introduction, and is accordingly equipped with Study Questions, which will inevitably prompt students to further thought and reading. (Modern African Studies )
About the Author
Samuel Oluoch Imbo is assistant professor of philosophy at Hamline University in Minnesota.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Intro to the field, especially for non-philosophers,
By A Customer
This review is from: An Introduction to African Philosophy (Paperback)
This book is worthy of your time. I was looking for a book that would introduce me to concepts of African philosophy after having read several other (lay) books on philosophy. I expected that this book would be an introduction to Africa's different philosophies by region or country. I was pleasantly surprised to find out otherwise. I almost bought two or three of the books that are discussed in this text, and after having read this I am really glad that I did not buy them (especially the Classical approach to African philosophy).This book really made me think about what I thought African philosophy was. Sorta turned the tables on me. The book really asks the question of what philosophy really is, and only after that do you start to grapple with the questions of what African philosophy is. A lot of the book discusses how and why African philosphers seem to be consistenly apologizing for their own oral traditions or lack of written traditions. The connections that it unearths to colonialism, sexism and blind adherence to tradition are important. It does get a little long in the tooth when it comes to surveying other writing in the field. Any background knowledge you have there will help, but it does not go overboard. If you are simply interested in philosophy, then this is a really good book to have or read. This book lays out the players in the field, and depending on whose perspective best fits your own you can then go read more of their books. From this book I am immediately going to go read Lucius Outlaw's works.
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