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The question whether or not there is African philosophy has, for too long, dominated the philosophical scene in Africa, to the neglect of substantive issues generated by the very fact of human existence. This has unfortunately led to an impasse in the development of a distinctive African philosophical tradition. In this path-breaking book, Segun Gbadegesin offers a new and promising approach which recognizes the traditional and contemporary facets of African philosophy by exploring the issues they raise. In Part I, the author examines, with refreshing insights, the philosophical concepts of the person, individuality, community and morality, religiosity and causality, focusing on the Yoruba of Nigeria. Part II discusses, in an original way, contemporary African social, political and economic realities from a philosophical perspective.
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'he question whether or not there is African philosophy has, for too long, lominated the philosophical scene in Africa, to the neglect of substantive isues generated by the very fact of human existence. This has unfortunately led o an impasse in the development of a distinctive African philosophical radition. In this path-breaking book, Segun Gbadegesin offers a new and >romising approach which recognizes the traditional and contemporary facets >f African philosophy by exploring the issues they raise. In Part I, the author ~xamines, with refreshing insights, the philosophical concepts of the person, ndividuality, community and morality, religiosity and causality, focusing on he Yoruba of Nigeria. Part II discusses, in an original way, contemporary Afri:an social, political and economic realities from a philosophical perspective. 'This is a book that should advance the discipline of African philosophy. Dr. :.:;badegesin brings his powers of clear expression and judicious reasoning to :>ear on a variety of topics of the· profoundest significance for African philosophy in the contemporary world. I find his conception of African philosophy enlightened and his interpretations and analyses of Yoruba traditional philosophy enlightening. Equally impressive is the way he applies his philosophical skills to the treatment of some of the social ills of his society. Here, quite simply, is a good philosopher at work." Kwasi Wiredu University of South Florida "A few African philosophers are ... producing contemporary philosophy by reflecting on West African traditions. If philosophy is 'reflection on intuitions,' then African philosophers should be reflecting on traditional African intuitions and thereby creating an African philosophy which is at once traditional and also contemporary. This is precisely what Gbadegesin is doing and his work is the best I have seen in this regard." H. Gene Blocker ()hio University
Segun Gbadegesin received his B.Sc. in Philosophy, Politics and Economics with a First Class Honors from the University of Ife, Nigeria and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, where he has also served as Head of the Philosophy Department and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts. He was Visiting Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1989-1990, and is currently Visiting Professor of Philosophy at Colgate University, Hamilton, New Yorki In addition to many contributions to academic journals, he is editor of The
Politicization of Societv During Nigeria's Second Re:p1iblic1 1979,.,83.
Phil sophy Traditional Yoruba Philosophy and Contemporary African Realities Segun Gbadegesin
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African Philosophy Traditional Yoruba Philosophy and Contemporary African Realities
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