The paper is an attempt to revisit and examine the recondite issue of cultural universals and particulars, taking into. Wiredu asserts that universals, rightly conceived on the basis of our common biological identity, are not. Ghanaian philosopher kwasi wiredu confronts the paradox that while western cultures recoil from claims of universality, previously colonized peoples. Hence his careful and yet critical reading of kwasi wiredus cultural universals and particulars, for which, there is, on the one hand, a need for universality and on the other, an assertion of particularity, the two carefully tied together. Cultural universals and particulars in kwasi wiredu s philosophy 273 on the basis of this, we seek to ma ke a case for causality as another possible cultural universal that defies any cultural. He was born in ghana and studied philosophy at the university of ghana b. Mar 08, 2019 universals and particulars of wiredu wiredu rise argument agaist relativism in its various form like cognitive ethical and cultural and shows how the possibility and actula existence of universal on coceptual cognitive and ethical grounds. Kwasi wiredu is currently considered a single author. Like other longestablished cultures the world over, the akan have developed a rich conceptual system complete with metaphysical, moral, and epistemological aspects. Decolonization, multilingualism, and african languages in the making of african philosophy entrevista con kwasi wiredu ingles kwasi wiredu and the problems of conceptual decolonization por sanya osha ingles. In order to understand what the akan think, i will compare and contrast all three.
A companion to african philosophy edited by kwasi wiredu. Indiana university press, bloomington 1996, isbn 0253210801. The book presents some of the best nontechnical work of a distinguished african philosopher. Towards decolonizing african philosophy and religion por kwasi wiredu ingles language matters. Indiana university press 1996 abstract the eminent ghanaian philosopher kwasi wiredu confronts the paradox that while western cultures recoil from claims of universality, previously colonized peoples, seeking to redefine their identities, insist on cultural.
The nature of opposition in kwasi wiredus democracy by consensus. In pursuing further wiredu s thesis on cultural universals, the present paper critically examines. Article information, pdf download for reflections on cultural diversity, open epub for. An african model introduction to and discussion of wiredu s philosophy. Kwasi wiredu, philosophy and an african culture philpapers. Universals and particulars of wiredu wiredu rise argument agaist relativism in its various form like cognitive ethical and cultural and shows how the possibility and actula existence of universal on coceptual. Cultural universals and particulars also available for read online in mobile and kindle. He shows how they can assimilate the advances of analytical philosophy and apply them to the general social and intellectual changes associated with modernisation and the transition to new. Pdf cultural universals and particulars in the philosophy. The eminent ghanaian philosopher kwasi wiredu confronts the paradox that while western cultures recoil from claims of universality, previously colonized peoples, seeking to redefine. Wiredus discussion of the idea of cultural universals is programmatic. The idea of african epistemology is based on their.
Kwasi wiredu tries in these essays to define and demonstrate a role for contemporary african philosophers which is. Cultural universals and particulars in kwasi wiredus philosophy 273 on the basis of this, we seek to ma ke a case for causality as another possible cultural universal that defies any cultural. Cultural universals and particulars book pdf download. Kwasi wiredu is the author of cultural universals and particulars 3. Cultural universals and particulars in the philosophy of. For wiredu, the akan believe that a person is made of okra, sunsum, mogya, and a body nidapua. The question of appropriate models of cultural exchange between africa and her former colonisers has often dominated the recent practice of african philosophy and professor wiredu in this. Through investigation of the akan ethnographic literature, i have developed a third view. The culture of the akan people of west africa dates from before the th century. Through critical exposition, the paper appraises some of the inconsistencies and contradictory notions implicit in. Kwasi wiredu 1931 kwasi wiredu is a philosopher from ghana, who has for decades been involved with a project he terms conceptual decolonization in contemporary african systems of thought. Download cultural universals and particulars ebook in pdf, epub, mobi.
Wiredus discussion of culturally defined values and. A critique of cultural universals and particulars in kwasi wiredus philosophy fayemi, ademola kazeem lagos state university abstract. Two prominent participants in the discussion of this problem are kwasi wiredu and odera oruka. The concept of person to which kaunda referred has a particular significance within the african cultural context. In pursuing further wiredus thesis on cultural universals, the present paper critically examines. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. Cultural universals and particulars in the philosophy of kwasi wiredu. The eminent ghanaian philosopher kwasi wiredu confronts the paradox that while western cultures recoil from claims of universality, previously colonized peoples, seeking to redefine their identities, insist on cultural particularities.
Universals and particulars of wiredu wiredu rise argument agaist relativism in its various form like cognitive ethical and cultural and shows how the possibility and actula existence of universal on coceptual cognitive and ethical grounds. May learn how and when to remove this template message. Wiredu reflects on language, biological identity, interintra cultural communication, as well as. B 1087 apapa, lagos state, nigeria introduction discourses on democracy and human rights are polemically complex and pervasive in contemporary politicking. Pdf this paper seeks to advance the horizon of kwasi wiredus philosophical defense of the compatibility of cultural universals and. In this article, i present a critical exposition of wiredus consensual democracy and defend it against liberal democracy on the one hand, and criticisms levelled against it on the other hand. Masologhanaian philosopher kwasi wiredu confronts the paradox that while western cultures recoil from claims of universality, previously colonized peoples, seeking to redefine their identities, insist on cultural particularities. I also offer some modifications to wiredus theory in a bid to render it more suitable for practice in africa.
This paper seeks to advance the horizon of kwasi wiredus philosophical defense of the compatibility of cultural universals and particulars. Cultural universals and particulars by kwasi wiredu, 9780253210807, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Kwasi wiredu tries in these essays to define and demonstrate a role for contemporary african philosophers that is distinctive but by no means parochial. An african perspective african systems of thought 9780253210807. Kwasi wiredu entry by sonya osha in the internet encyclopedia of philosophy. An african perspective african systems of thought by kwasi wiredu author visit amazons kwasi wiredu page. The concept of person in an african culture and its implication for social order elvis imafidon. Jan 01, 1996 cultural universals and particulars book. Kwasi wiredu is currently distinguished university professor of philosophy at the department of philosophy in the university of south florida, tampa, where he has taught since 1987. Wiredu asserts that universals, rightly conceived on the basis of our common biological identity, are not incompatible. Wiredu, kwasi 1996a cultural universals and particulars. Apr 10, 2020 kwasi wiredu, philosophy and african culture philpapers an african reading of karl marx marxist theory and discourse generally pjilosophy many african intellectuals with a platform on which to conduct many sociopolitical struggles. Find all the books, read about the author, and more.
Could there be a truly african philosophy that goes beyond traditional folk thought. By conceptual decolonization, wiredu advocates a reexamination of current african epistemic formations in order to accomplish two aims. Apr 08, 2020 universals and particulars of wiredu wiredu rise argument agaist relativism in its various form like cognitive ethical and cultural and shows how the possibility and actula existence of universal on coceptual cognitive and ethical grounds. Kwasi wiredu and some other philosophers have, on the other hand, come up with a different concept of the foundation of african morality. Cambridge, etc cambridge university press, volume 45 issue 2. Cultural universals and particulars by kwasi wiredu. Pdf cultural universals and particulars in the philosophy of kwasi. Kwasi wiredu philosophy and an african culture pdf kwasi wiredu. Wiredu was born in kumasi, gold coast presentday ghana, in 1931, and attended adisadel college from 1948 to 1952. It was during this period that he discovered philosophy, through plato which weaned him from his interest in practical psychology and bertrand russell. Kwasi wiredu, for example, opines a pentachotomistic view of a person in the akan culture, the descriptive or ontological basis of personhood, its constituents, according to wiredu are okra the life principle and source of human dignity an d destiny, sunsum the personality or. This, arguably, is another variant of decolonization. A critique of consensual democracy and human rights in kwasi wiredus philosophy fayemi, ademola kazeem department of philosophy lagos state university badagry expressway, p. Kwasi wiredu author of cultural universals and particulars.
Kwasi wiredu the eminent ghanaian philosopher kwasi wiredu confronts the paradox that while western cultures recoil from claims of universality, previously colonized peoples, seeking to redefine their identities. According to kwasi wiredu, there are two approaches to the concept of man in akan nay. Wiredu reflects on language, biological identity, interintra cultural communication, as well as epistemic and moral fundamentals as cultural universals. Wirth and others published cultural universals and particulars.
Kwasi wiredu pdf on defining african wiredu forthcoming african philosophy. This paper seeks to advance the horizon of kwasi wiredu s philosophical defense of the compatibility of cultural universals and particulars. Kwasi wiredu and the problems of conceptual decolonization 159 forms of. The paper strengthens further the basic tenets of kwasi wiredus philosophical defense of the compatibility of cultural universals and particulars. Toward decolonizing african philosophy and religion. He was a fierce advocate of african nationalism, who sought to liberate and unite africa. Akan philosophy of the person stanford encyclopedia of. A dialectical interaction exists between cultural unity and diversity. The eminent ghanaian philosopher kwasi wiredu confronts the. Kwasi wiredu tries in these essays to define and demonstrate a role for contemporary african philosophers which is distinctive but by no means parochial. A critique of cultural universals and particulars in kwasi wiredu s philosophy fayemi, ademola kazeem lagos state university abstract. An african perspectivebloomington, indiana university press.