African Philosophy of Higher Education for Human Formation and Civil Society Development

Abstract

This chapter engages with Yusef Waghid’s philosophical ideas on African philosophy of higher education. It is argued that his seminal works open spaces to advance an African philosophy of higher education that challenges neoliberalism and advances education for human formation and the development of civil society. Waghid’s understanding of humanity as relational has guided his seminal writings with themes of deliberation, transformation, ubuntu, respect and becoming, among others, underpins human formation and the development of civil society. The dominant interpretation internationally, which underpins its [civil society] usage by most international agencies, derives from the work of nineteenth-century French theorist De Tocqueville. For him, civil society was characterised by voluntary, non-political social associations that strengthened democracy. According to this liberal political philosophy, civil society fosters the social norms and trust necessary for individuals to work together in democracies. In this chapter, it is stressed that the notion democratic action is not a matter of just belonging to a particular grouping in society but one that requires the capacity to engage in rational discussion about matters affecting the society. Waghid’s seminal works in the philosophy of higher education help understand human formation and civil society as embodying deliberation, transformation, ubuntu, respect and becoming, among other virtues. The virtues advanced by Waghid’s philosophical positions help conceive an African higher education that requires forming human beings that are not only knowledgeable (the epistemological dimension) but also responsible in their communities (the ontological dimension).