Book Review: A Companion to African Philosophy

Abstract

Introduction:  Who is the most famous African philosopher? Opinions may well vary, but I doubt if the name of Augustine of Hippo would be the first one to cross most people’s minds. This reflects a problem that runs right throughout this book: what is African philosophy? Is Africa a continent or a culture? The geographical definition of Africa may be the simplest, but is it the best? To what extent should the philosophical output of the Africaners of apartheid South Africa be seen as part of African philosophy? Or would it be a form of racism to argue that the work. of philosophers who were born in Africa and spent all their lives there cannot count as African philosophy because of the colour of their skin?