Grappling with Misconception: The Role Epistemology Plays on the Debate of African Philosophy

Abstract

This article mainly sought to discuss the role epistemology plays on the debate of African Philosophy. The search for knowledge on the existence of African philosophy have proven to the fact that African philosophy exists. This was made possible by the instrumentality of black Africans who went into serious research for more than five decades, gleaning for materials to show for the reality of African identity. The steps by the black African scholars give reason to the fact that there was the existence of African philosophy. Whatever we consider as philosophical has a lot to do with human reflection on the experience of a society, group or an individual. This reflection is necessitated what we earlier referred to as wonders about compelling problems of life and existence. Such reflection must be critical and logical. As long as anybody or group meets these requirements such a person or group can be said to engage in what is called philosophy. The implication is that whenever our activities conform to the requirements stipulated above, such an activity performed by Africans or those lovers of Africa is called African philosophy. Hence, I submit that what African philosophy is, involves the application of the above categories of conceptual analysis, logic, criticism, and synthesis to the reflections on issues that are of paramount importance to the African needs and ways of life.

Keywords: Epistemology, African, Philosophy, Logos, Debate

DOI: 10.7176/JPCR/51-02

Publication date: January 31^st 2021