Research Catalog

Philosophy in an African place

Title
Philosophy in an African place / Bruce B. Janz.
Author
Janz, Bruce B., 1960-
Publication
Lanham, Md. : Lexington Books, c2009.

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StatusFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
TextUse in library B5305 .J36 2009Off-site

Details

Description
x, 272 p.; 24 cm.
Summary
Over the past few decades, there has been much effort put forth by philosophers to answer the question, "Is there an African philosophy?" Bruce B. Janz boldly changes this central question to "What is it to do philosophy in this (African) place?" in Philosophy in an African Place. Janz argues that African philosophy has spent a lot of time trying to define what African philosophy is, and in doing so has ironically been unable to properly conceptualize African lived experience. He goes on to claim that such conceptualization can only occur when the central question is changed from the spatial to a new, platial one. Philosophy in an African Place both opens up new questions within the field, and also establishes "philosophy-in-place", a mode of philosophy which begins from the places in which concepts have currency and shows how a truly creative philosophy can emerge from focusing on questioning, listening, and attending to difference. This innovative new approach to African philosophy will be useful not only to African and African-American philosophers, but also to scholars interested in any cultural, intercultural, or national philosophical projects. -- Back cover.
Subject
  • Philosophy, African
  • Ort (Philosophie)
  • Praktische Philosophie
  • Afrika
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents
Introduction: Philosophy-in-place -- Tradition in the periphery -- Questioning reason -- "Wisdom is actually thought" -- Culture and the problem of universality -- Listening to language -- Practicality : African philosophy's debts and duties -- Locating African philosophy.
ISBN
  • 9780739136683 (cloth : alk. paper)
  • 0739136682 (cloth : alk. paper)
  • 9780739136706 (electronic)
  • 0739136704 (electronic)
LCCN
2009023213
OCLC
  • ocn396192498
  • 396192498
  • SCSB-5493920
Owning Institutions
Columbia University Libraries