Rationality in African philosophy : a critical reflection

Abstract

In this essay I explore some of the ramifications that the Western discourse of postmodernism may have on the notion of rationality in African philosophy and indigenous African knowledge systems in general. I conclude by arguing that the merits of such a discourse include its acknowledgment of alternative forms of reasoning and their accompanying cultural expressions; its insistence that knowledge production is not independent of moral and political value; its grounding of rationality in social relations; and, its recognition of the role of commitment, caring and feeling in rationality – all of which speak of the true essence of indigenous African knowledge systems. Keywords :Rationality, postmodernism, African philosophy, discourse. Indilinga Vol. 6 (1) 2007 pp. 1-13