WHY STUDY THE HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY? AN AFRICAN RESPONSE

Abstract

It is arguable that the history of philosophy is plague with many rival doctrines. It has become a dumping ground for any theory in the name of superior argument or logic. There have been so many contradicting views as to the import and relationship of philosophy to its history vis. a vis. This work reopens that discussion within the ambivalence of African philosophy. It examines how African philosophy could strive and project its future without distorting its past. Furthermore, this paper examines the relevance of African philosophy to its past and projectsthe history of African philosophy as philosophy. This work employs the method of critical analysis to argue that the history of African philosophy has an intrinsic value in itself and should not be discarded if the discipline is to take its place alongside other world philosophies.