GREAT ZIMBABWE UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ARTS

DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL STUDIES

LECTURER MR J. MUKUSHA ROOM 61S 2nd FLOOR MUTIRIKWI HOSTEL

CELL: 0773904521

BAC 101 INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY AND THOUGHT

Module Description

This is a philosophy module in African Philosophy and Thought that deals with a plethora of issues in
the African context. Some of the major aspects covered in this module include: the nature of African
philosophy and thought; Africa; African identity; globalisation, African morality; Unhu/Ubuntu
philosophy; African epistemology; African metaphysics, and Africa’s post-colonial challenge. A critical
interpretation, analysis and evaluation of issues cultivate critical thinking in students undertaking this
module. This module enables students to understand who they are, why they are, where they are
and their African human dignity in the contemporary world.

Module Aims and Objectives

This course aims to achieve the following in students:

1. Cultivation of critical thinking;

2. Development of an awareness of the main tenets of African Philosophy and Thought;
3. Improve students’ metaphysical, epistemological and ethical understanding of each
philosophical genre in Africa;
4. Cultivate the philosophical historical development of African Philosophy and Thought
anchored on Unhu/ Ubuntu Philosophy.

Assessment

The module is made up of two major components, that is, course work and examination.

The course work carries 25%, continuous assessment through informed participation in tutorials and
lectures is factored in.

The end of semester examination carries 75%, making a total of 100%.

Methodology

The course adopts the lecture method coupled with tutorials which are compulsory.
Module Content

Conceptual analysis of African Philosophy and Thought:

What is Africa? What is Philosophy and Thought? What is African Philosophy? What is the nature of
the African World view? Why discussing African Philosophy and Thought? What is the point in
Question?

Four Major Branches of Philosophy:

Logic; Epistemology; Metaphysics and Ethics

Trends in African Philosophy

Ethno philosophy

Sage Philosophy

Nationalist Ideological Political Philosophy

Professional Philosophy

Unhu/Ubuntu Philosophy:

Ramose’s Ubuntu Philosophy as an expression of Africa thought

Samkange and Samkange’s Hunhuism

Nyerere’s African Socialism

Unhu/Ubuntu African quest for Identity

African morality, epistemology, metaphysics and environmental ethics

Globalisation and African Philosophy and Thought:

Definition of globalisation

Effects of globalisation on African morality, relationships, technology and development

Relevance of Unhu/Ubuntu Philosophy in business in Africa

Africa’s Post-Colonial Challenge:

The issue of politics and governance in Africa

African democracy versus Western Democracy

People’s rights versus human rights in contemporary Africa

Pan-Africanism in Pre-Independent and Post-Colonial Africa

Assignments:
 1. Critically analyse the nature of African Philosophy.

DUE DATE: 20 – 09– 13

2. ‘Globalisation is detrimental to African morality’. Discuss.

DUE DATE: 07 – 10 – 13

NB: DO NOT PLAGIARISE!

References:

Bodunrin, P.O. (ed.). Philosophy in Africa: Trends and Prospective. Lle-Ife: University of Ife Press,
1985.

Chiwome, E.M., Mguni, Z. & Furusa, M. (eds.). Indigenous Knowledge and Technology in Africa and
Diasporan Communities: Multi Disciplinary Approaches. Harare: Jongwe Publishing Company, 2000.

Coetzee, P.H. & Roux,A.P.J. Philosophy from Africa. Johannesburg: International Thompson Publishing
(Pvt) Ltd., 1998.

Gyekye, K. An Essay on African Philosophical Thought: The Akan Conceptual Scheme. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press

Gyekye, K. Tradition and Modernity. Oxford: OUP, 1997.

Hamlyn, D.W. Metaphysics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Hountondji, P.J. African Philosophy. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 1996.

Kamalu, C. Foundation of African Thought. London: Karnak, 1990

Mbiti, J.S. African Religions and Philosophy. Nairobi: Heinemann Educational Publishers, 1989.

Mukusha, J. PreSocratic Epistemology an Equivalent to African Knowledge Cosmogony: An Epistemic

Legitimacy. Saarbrucken: VDM Verlag Dr. Muller GmbH & Co. KG, 2011.

Nyerere, J.K. Ujamaa Essays on Socialism. Dar es Salaam: Oxford University Press, 1968.

Odhiambo, F.O. African Philosophy: An Introduction. Nairobi: Consdata Institute of Philosophy Press,
1985.

O’Hear, A. What Philosophy Is: An Introduction to Contemporary Philosophy. London: Penguin Books,
1985.

Oruka, H.O. Sage Philosophy. Nairobi: ACTS Press, 1991.

Ramose, M.B. African Philosophy Through Ubuntu. Harare: Mond Books, 1999.

Russell, B. A History of Western Philosophy. London: Routledge, 1996.

Tempels, P. Bantu Philosophy. Luabo-Kamina: Presence Africaine, 1959.