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The illumination of African philosophy offered in this volume leads to the illumination of philosophy in general. Illuminating arises as an essential task of philosophy, whether African or not. What is illuminated is not already there, but is constituted at the moment of illumination. This book invites the reader to participate in the illuminating work of philosophy and necessarily, thereby, to contribute to his or her own self-constituting self-illumination. Although the focus is on African philosophy, the book also bridgesthe gap between African philosophy and other branches. Today more than ever, a bridging philosophy is called for, and this book helps to meet that need.

This book poses philosophical questions such as who is an African and what Africa is, and seeks philosophical answers. In doing so, it contributes to the ongoing discourse on African philosophy. It addresses such issues as the African grounding of philosophy, the difference between African and Black philosophy, the African body, African art as expressed in and by Chiwara, the plight of African trees as the plight of Africans, and the symbolic meaning of Robben Island.

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-52560-0

Full citation:

Introduction/initiation

Murungi John

1-9

African grounding of philosophy

Murungi John

11-33

To be received or not to be received

Murungi John

35-42

On the notion of the African history of philosophy

Murungi John

43-64

The African body as an ethico-aesthetic site

Murungi John

65-81

Seeing

Murungi John

83-97

Chiwara

Murungi John

99-107

The way of trees in Africa

Murungi John

109-126

Robben island is not an island

Murungi John

127-139

Conclusion

Murungi John

141-147