Philosophies of Africa and the Ueberweg History of Philosophy
Workshop, December 4–6, 2024
The workshop “Philosophies of Africa and the Ueberweg History of Philosophy” was an in-depth and collaborative effort to structure a groundbreaking series documenting the diverse and rich histories of African philosophies for the German landmark project on philosophical historiography “Ueberweg – Grundriss der Geschichte der Philosophie.” This initiative is part of the broader Ueberweg series, which has traditionally focused on European philosophical traditions but is now expanding to include underrepresented regions such as Africa, Asia, and the Islamic world. The workshop addressed methodological, practical, and financial challenges while laying out a comprehensive structure for the forthcoming series.
Key Highlights of the Workshop
1. Contextualizing the Project
The series on African philosophy is designed to address a critical gap in the Ueberweg volumes, which have historically excluded Africa south of the Sahara. Unlike other volumes structured chronologically by philosophical epochs, this series adopts a hybrid approach, combining chronological, thematic, and regional considerations to reflect the unique character and diversity of philosophies in Africa and the African diaspora.
2. Structure of the Series
The proposed series, titled Philosophies of Africa, will feature multiple volumes. The first volume will address methodological challenges and foundational questions, such as:
- What constitutes Africa in the context of philosophy?
- How can oral traditions and non-Western methodologies be incorporated?
- How should periodization, systems of authorship, and philosophical practices be approached?
Subsequent volumes will explore:
- Egyptian manuscripts as one of the origins of philosophy, including debates on Afrocentrism and their philosophical significance.
- Genres and practices of philosophizing, such as proverbs, storytelling, dance, music, divination, and healing, illustrating philosophical expressions that do not fit neatly into European periodization systems.
- Philosophy and religion, including African indigenous religions, Islamic philosophy in Africa south of the Sahara, and Christian philosophical traditions.
A significant section will cover the African diaspora, highlighting the global spread and evolution of African philosophies. This includes:
- Early African diasporic philosophy.
- Contributions of enslaved Africans and their descendants in the Americas and the Caribbean.
- Movements like Negritude, linking African and diasporic intellectual traditions.
The series will also feature volumes on the institutionalization of philosophy in Africa, the postcolonial debates on “What is African philosophy?” and contemporary themes such as political philosophy, gender, and African women’s philosophies.
3. Addressing Methodological Challenges
The workshop discussed how to approach philosophies in oral traditions and how to consider cosmologies and myths or embodied practices (e.g. dance and art) as forms of philosophical knowledge without falling back into an ethnological perspective. Strategies included:
- Engaging scholars from diverse disciplines to provide nuanced perspectives.
- Contextualizing practices within their cultural and historical settings.
- Demonstrating how these practices engage with universal philosophical questions like justice, existence, and ethics.
4. Engaging with Critique
The workshop highlighted the importance of addressing longstanding biases in Western philosophy, such as the dismissal of African oral and embodied traditions as non-philosophical. Thus, the proposed Philosophies of Africa series aims to reshape the academic landscape by providing a robust, inclusive, and interdisciplinary approach to African philosophy. By tackling methodological complexities, embracing diverse traditions, and addressing practical challenges, the project aspires to affirm the global significance of African philosophical contributions.