A Short History of African Philosophy, Second Edition

by Barry Hallen

Overview

A Short History of African Philosophy discusses major ideas, figures, and schools of thought in philosophy in the African context. While drawing out critical issues in the formation of African philosophy, Barry Hallen focuses on recent scholarship and relevant debates that have made African philosophy critical to understanding the rich and complex cultural heritage of the continent. This revised edition expands the historical perspective, takes account of recent discoveries and new canonical figures, highlights new discussions about gender as a cultural and philosophical phenomenon, clarifies issues regarding indigenous cultures and human rights, and builds on the notion that African philosophy shares methods and concerns of philosophy worldwide. This short reference is an essential resource for students, scholars, and general readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780253221230
Publisher:	Indiana University Press
Publication date:	09/03/2009
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	656,432
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Barry Hallen is Professor of Philosophy at Morehouse College and Associate in the W. E. B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University. He is author of The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful: Discourse about Values in Yoruba Culture (IUP, 2000).

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. The Historical Perspective
2. Twentieth-Century Origins
3. Rationality as Culturally Universal
4. Rationality as Culturally Relative
5. Ethnophilosophy and Philosophical Sagacity
6. Phenomenology and Hermeneutics
7. Socialism and Marxism
8. Philosophy and Culture
9. Histories, Anthologies, Introductions to African Philosophy, Journals, and Websites
Conclusion

Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

"A great virtue of the brief volume is its method of dividing African philosophy into manageable and provocative categories. . . . Hallen has a gift for knowing what to pick and what to exclude."

H-Net Reviews

"A great virtue of the brief volume is its method of dividing African philosophy into manageable and provocative categories. . . . Hallen has a gift for knowing what to pick and what to exclude."

C. D. Kay

Hallen (Morehouse College) provides a general survey of African philosophy that is both informative and accessible to nonspecialist philosophers and philosophy students. Focusing mainly on 20th-century thinkers and grouping them in chapters according to their general philosophical approaches, the volume is indeed a short history, but a valuable overview nonetheless. In this new edition (1st, CH, Feb'03, 40-3328), Hallen updates his treatment of several writers and adds discussions of Senghor and Nzegwu, making this an improved but not substantially altered text. (Hallen also briefly expands his treatment of North Africa; one wishes he might have done the same for southern Africa as well.) The biggest change is the expansion of the bibliography from 16 to 36 pages, making it one of the most comprehensive available. While not a replacement for a good anthology of African philosophical texts, Hallen's survey (in either the first or second edition) should be a part of any good philosophy collection. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above. — Choice

C. D. Kay]]>

Hallen (Morehouse College) provides a general survey of African philosophy that is both informative and accessible to nonspecialist philosophers and philosophy students. Focusing mainly on 20th-century thinkers and grouping them in chapters according to their general philosophical approaches, the volume is indeed a short history, but a valuable overview nonetheless. In this new edition (1st, CH, Feb'03, 40-3328), Hallen updates his treatment of several writers and adds discussions of Senghor and Nzegwu, making this an improved but not substantially altered text. (Hallen also briefly expands his treatment of North Africa; one wishes he might have done the same for southern Africa as well.) The biggest change is the expansion of the bibliography from 16 to 36 pages, making it one of the most comprehensive available. While not a replacement for a good anthology of African philosophical texts, Hallen's survey (in either the first or second edition) should be a part of any good philosophy collection. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above. — Choice

Editorial Reviews

"Hallen (Morehouse College) provides a general survey of African philosophy that is both informative and accessible to nonspecialist philosophers and philosophy students. Focusing mainly on 20th-century thinkers and grouping them in chapters according to their general philosophical approaches, the volume is indeed a short history, but a valuable overview nonetheless. In this new edition (1st, CH, Feb'03, 40-3328), Hallen updates his treatment of several writers and adds discussions of Senghor and Nzegwu, making this an improved but not substantially altered text. (Hallen also briefly expands his treatment of North Africa; one wishes he might have done the same for southern Africa as well.) The biggest change is the expansion of the bibliography from 16 to 36 pages, making it one of the most comprehensive available. While not a replacement for a good anthology of African philosophical texts, Hallen's survey (in either the first or second edition) should be a part of any good philosophy collection. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above. — Choice"—C. D. Kay, Wofford College, April 2010

"This expanded and updated edition of Hallen's work will be a valuable asset as a highly accessible reference, not only for the undergraduate student, but also for graduates and researchers."—Journal of Africa

"A Short History of African Philosophy is a good read for both the neophyte and the seasoned scholar; it is a helpful guide and beginning for anyone with an interest in African philosophy."—Dialogue

"The purpose of Hallen's book is to provide professional philosophers, students, and intellectually interested laypersons with both a synopsis and analysis of the field of African philosophy, a scholarly field that is still widely ignored in the philosophical profession and still widely unknown in the public realm. He succeeds quite well in this enterprise. Vol. 43, no. 2, 2010"—Intl. Jrnl. of African Historical Studies

"Hallen's writing is consistently clear and accessible to a general reader, and his knowledge of the subject is wide-ranging, making this an excellent introduction to the vibrant and complex melange that falls withing the category of African philosophy.#71 Winter 2009/2010"—Mikel Burley, University of Leeds

"While avowedly a short conspectus, the book as a whole is dynamized by a number of recurring debates which make their appearance in most of the chapters, giving the work an internal coherence belying its brevity and simplicity."—Leeds African Studies Bulletin

"Provides an excellent orientation to the various approaches and issues which have emerged throughout the history of African philosophy."—International Studies in Philosophy

"With this small book, Barry Hallen has opened up the field of African philosophy to the general public, without turning professionals off."—Philosophy in Review

"Hallen has provided an immeasurable service to students and scholars of Africana thought by lucidly and concisely chronicling the history, development, and current issues in African philosophies."—Choice, named Outstanding Academic Book

"A great virtue of the brief volume is its method of dividing African philosophy into manageable and provocative categories. . . . Hallen has a gift for knowing what to pick and what to exclude."—H-Net Reviews

From the Publisher

Hallen has provided an immeasurable service to students and scholars of Africana thought by lucidly and concisely chronicling the history, development, and current issues in African philosophies.

named Outstanding Academic Book Choice

With this small book, Barry Hallen has opened up the field of African philosophy to the general public, without turning professionals off.

Philosophy in Review

While avowedly a short conspectus, the book as a whole is dynamized by a number of recurring debates which make their appearance in most of the chapters, giving the work an internal coherence belying its brevity and simplicity.

Leeds African Studies Bulletin

Provides an excellent orientation to the various approaches and issues which have emerged throughout the history of African philosophy.

International Studies in Philosophy

Hallen's writing is consistently clear and accessible to a general reader, and his knowledge of the subject is wide-ranging, making this an excellent introduction to the vibrant and complex melange that falls withing the category of African philosophy.#71 Winter 2009/2010

Universityof Leeds - Mikel Burley

A Short History of African Philosophy is a good read for both the neophyte and the seasoned scholar; it is a helpful guide and beginning for anyone with an interest in African philosophy.

Dialogue

This expanded and updated edition of Hallen's work will be a valuable asset as a highly accessible reference, not only for the undergraduate student, but also for graduates and researchers.

Journal of Africa

The purpose of Hallen's book is to provide professional philosophers, students, and intellectually interested laypersons with both a synopsis and analysis of the field of African philosophy, a scholarly field that is still widely ignored in the philosophical profession and still widely unknown in the public realm. He succeeds quite well in this enterprise. Vol. 43, no. 2, 2010

Intl. Jrnl. of African Historical Studies

"Hallen's writing is consistently clear and accessible to a general reader, and his knowledge of the subject is wide-ranging, making this an excellent introduction to the vibrant and complex melange that falls withing the category of African philosophy.#71 Winter 2009/2010"

University of Leeds - Mikel Burley

Hallen (Morehouse College) provides a general survey of African philosophy that is both informative and accessible to nonspecialist philosophers and philosophy students. Focusing mainly on 20th-century thinkers and grouping them in chapters according to their general philosophical approaches, the volume is indeed a short history, but a valuable overview nonetheless. In this new edition (1st, CH, Feb'03, 40-3328), Hallen updates his treatment of several writers and adds discussions of Senghor and Nzegwu, making this an improved but not substantially altered text. (Hallen also briefly expands his treatment of North Africa; one wishes he might have done the same for southern Africa as well.) The biggest change is the expansion of the bibliography from 16 to 36 pages, making it one of the most comprehensive available. While not a replacement for a good anthology of African philosophical texts, Hallen's survey (in either the first or second edition) should be a part of any good philosophy collection. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above. — Choice

C. D. Kay

"The purpose of Hallen's book is to provide professional philosophers, students, and intellectually interested laypersons with both a synopsis and analysis of the field of African philosophy, a scholarly field that is still widely ignored in the philosophical profession and still widely unknown in the public realm. He succeeds quite well in this enterprise." —Intl. Jrnl. of African Historical Studies

International Journal of African Historical Studies

"A great virtue of the brief volume is its method of dividing African philosophy into manageable and provocative categories.... Hallen has a gift for knowing what to pick and what to exclude." —H-Net Reviews

H-Net Reviews