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CU Boulder PhD candidate Idowu Odeyemi argues that African philosophy should not be limited to a single definition

鈥淭o define African philosophy is to limit it,鈥� argues Idowu Odeyemi, a PhD candidate in philosophy at the University of Colorado Boulder. 鈥淎nd to limit it is to conserve it.鈥�

Odeyemi, whose article 鈥溾�� was published in the journal Metaphilosophy this month, argues that African philosophy, like Western philosophy, should not be limited to a single definition but instead be seen as a vast array of concepts and traditions.

Odeyemi鈥檚 insights push for a reconsideration of what philosophy is, who defines it and how it affects people鈥檚 lives.

To live is to wonder

鈥淓veryone, at the first-order level, can be said to qualify as a philosopher,鈥� Odeyemi says. 听鈥淓veryone wonders.鈥�

Whether it鈥檚 a neighbor鈥檚 peculiar morning routine or a sibling鈥檚 attitude at a family gathering, everyone has something to wonder about at nearly every point in life. Yet what sets philosophers apart, according to Odeyemi, who was recently awarded a fellowship with the Center for African and African American Studies, is that they ask where their wonder comes from.

Philosophical wonder, says Odeyemi, does not exist in a vacuum. It is curated by the society in which one grows up. 鈥淧hilosophical concerns are usually an element of what the social world allows philosophers to gain interest in.鈥�

Citing the work of CU Boulder Associate Professor of Philosophy Ajume Wingo, who recently explored the political modesty of Nelson Mandela, and the late Ghanaian philosopher Kwesi Wiredu, who advocated for consensual democracy over Western representative democracy, Odeyemi emphasizes that African philosophers, like their Western counterparts, are deeply influenced by their social context. 听

However, Odeyemi is cautious with the term 鈥淎frican philosophy,鈥� given its monolithic connotations. African philosophy, he says, cannot be confined to a single narrative or definition. Rather, it encompasses a multitude of voices and ideas, all rooted in the experiences and social contexts born of various cultures, languages and histories across the vast continent.

The unwritten richness of African philosophy

Much of African philosophical thought has been passed down from generation to generation through myths, proverbs and oral traditions. This unwritten heritage challenges popular, though misguided, Western notions that valuable philosophy must be documented in writing.

In his paper, Odeyemi draws a parallel to Socrates, one of the most revered figures in Western philosophy.

鈥淪ocrates left no philosophical writings. It is Plato, his follower, who contextualized some of Socrates鈥� dialogue, and thus, the philosophies accorded to Socrates today,鈥� Odeyemi points out. 鈥淗ow is this any different from when a wise man in an African village offers philosophical insights, and this is carried on to the next generations until somebody else writes about it?鈥�

Of course, this isn鈥檛 to say African societies rely solely on oral traditions to pass knowledge between one generation and the next. Countries like Egypt have an extensive history of writings that offer a glimpse into their thinking.听

Odeyemi also reflects on his own life and Yoruba heritage, sharing how metaphor and oral traditions affect philosophy and daily communication.

鈥淭he Yoruba language is deeply metaphorical,鈥� he says. 鈥淔or instance, instead of telling you that you are stubborn, a Yoruba person might say 鈥榶ou have a coconut head,鈥� meaning your character is not easy to crack.鈥�

The rich use of language and metaphor in African cultures illustrates how philosophy can be woven into the fabric of everyday life. To Odeyemi, that鈥檚 an important hallmark of good philosophy.

He also reiterates the evolution of written tradition, particularly across generations. Compared to novels by such writers as Chinua Achebe (Things Fall Apart), Buchi Emecheta (The Joy of Motherhood)听and Wole Soyinka (The Trial of Brother Jero), novels published by African authors in the past two decades illustrate a significant shift in language use.

Odeyemi also notes that older generations of African writers and thinkers frequently engaged with myths, proverbs and oral traditions in their writings. By contrast, many contemporary African writers don鈥檛 emphasize these elements.

鈥淚 think it is the people that are influencing the philosophy rather than vice versa,鈥� Odeyemi says.

Connecting philosophy with everyday life

For many people, philosophy belongs squarely in the realm of academic discourse. Odeyemi notes that this is a challenge shared by African and Western philosophy. He also believes the opposite should be true.

鈥淎 philosophy that can be easily neglected by the people it should be speaking to鈥攁 philosophy that has no bearing on its people鈥攃annot be said to be a good philosophy,鈥� he says.

Part of a philosopher鈥檚 job is to examine the systems people rely on and try to correct them so people can live a better life, Odeyemi notes. Of course, it鈥檚 not the philosopher鈥檚 job to make people lead a better life鈥攊t is the people鈥檚 duty to make that choice.

Even so, philosophers must make their ideas accessible and meaningful to ordinary individuals before they can have a widespread impact. Odeyemi argues that workshops and public discussions can play an important role in encouraging broader engagement with philosophical ideas.

Furthermore, Odeyemi challenges society to embrace philosophical discourse in the mainstream.

鈥淚 think the only step that can be taken is to stop defunding philosophy departments and make the public see why reading and studying philosophy is important for their daily lives,鈥� he says.

鈥淣on-African philosophers contributing to African philosophical discourse is as important as Africans contributing to non-African philosophical discourses. We all need to be in dialogue with one another to understand each other better.鈥�

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