Tradition, African Philosophy and the Issue of Development in Africa

Sunday Olaoluwa Dada

doi:10.7176/jpcr/43-03

Abstract

One of the central themes in postcolonial African philosophy is that of the relationship between tradition and African development. One of the fundamental questions relating to this is what should be the attitude of African to their traditional cultural heritage. Response to this question bifurcated African philosophy into two major orientations, that is the traditionalist and modernist orientations. This essay critically engage the attitude of these orientations to African traditions and Western cultural hegemony. I argue in the essay that both orientations demonstrate improper attitudes to African tradition because they treated tradition as product rather process that allows for change in the development process. If Africa would have to develop, whether in philosophical or socio-political terms, it needs no legitimation from the West. This however does not imply uncritical romaticisation of African cultural material. The Essay concludes by looking at how tradition can be put to good use. Keywords : Tradition, Development, Traditionalist, Modernist, Self-definition DOI : 10.7176/JPCR/43-03 Publication date : April 30 th 2019

Highlights

The relationship between tradition and African development has been a central theme of postcolonial African philosophy
When we look at the division in African philosophy between the traditionalist and the modernists, we will without much ado discover that development and social reconstruction is the powerful end that orients and gives direction to their arguments
The Good Use of Tradition The perception of tradition in the contemporary scheme of thing is due to the discourse in which tradition is designated a product but as a “mode of thought and a praxis proper to a certain kind of society known as tribe or clan, and is conceived in opposition to modernity or progress” (Makang, 1997: 324-325)

Summary

Introduction

The relationship between tradition and African development has been a central theme of postcolonial African philosophy. It is important for us to note that the discourse on tradition is central to the discourse of African philosophy and the question of development.

Results

Conclusion