Why Conversational Thinking Could be an Alternative Method for Intercultural Philosophy

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we argue that conversational thinking, a recent formulation in African philosophy, could be an alternative method for intercultural philosophising. We show that the etymology of conversational thinking comes from the Igbo word arumaruka meaning ‘constructive engagements amongst stakeholders who are in a relationship of creative struggle’. We contend that philosophers from different philosophic traditions are equal stakeholders in the knowledge enterprise called intercultural philosophy. We explain that in addition to dialogue and polylogue, two influential methods used by intercultural philosophers nowadays, conversational thinking could be a veritable alternative and a contribution from an underrepresented philosophic clime namely, the African philosophy tradition. We discuss the African philosophy roots of conversationalism, highlight the stages of intercultural engagement, and show what the method might look like in application.