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African and Africana Philosophy: Knowledge and Morality
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:35
Abstract
We will address the question of what exactly constitutes African and Africana philosophy and how it offers an original perspective on philosophy. The focus will then be on the systematic approaches to knowledge and morality of contemporary authors.
Objective
Students receive an overview of different approaches in African and Africana philosophy and in particular how knowledge and morality are thematized. They will be supported in developing their ability to interpret complex texts, identify arguments, reflect critically and put them up for discussion.
Content
In this lecture with plenty of room for discussion, the aim is to provide an overview of various approaches in African and Africana philosophy of our time. One of the central debates is what African philosophy is and therefore what philosophy is. A contemporary answer has been attempted by bringing together philosophers from Africa, with African ancestors and from the African diaspora in the concept of Africana philosophy. We will address the question of what exactly constitutes Africana philosophy and how it offers an original perspective on philosophy. It will be shown that and how these alternative perspectives deal with central questions of theoretical and practical philosophy in an original way. In particular, the epistemic question of what knowledge is and how social institutions that pursue knowledge must be designed will be considered. Related to this, it discusses how modern science and technology are understood. In addition, the question from moral philosophy of what morality is and what moral claims to validity are, as well as how legitimate social institutions must be designed, will also be addressed. Thereby specifically democracy as a political system will be discussed.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture |
African and Africana Philosophy: Knowledge and Morality
Lecture: Thursday 14-16
Exercise: Thursday 16-18
|
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Wissenschaft im Kontext (Science in Perspective) (In Kursen aus dem Programm “Wissenschaft im Kontext” lernen Studierende, die MINT Fächer der ETH aus der Perspektive der Geistes-, Sozial- und Staatswissenschaften zu reflektieren. Nur die in diesem Abschnitt aufgelisteten Fächer können als "Wissenschaft im Kontext" angerechnet werden.)
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Typ A: Förderung allgemeiner Reflexionskompetenz (WiK-Kurse werden für Bachelorstudierende nach dem ersten Studienjahr sowie für alle Masterstudierende und Doktorierende empfohlen. Alle WiK-Kurse sind in Typ A gelistet. Bei den unter Typ B aufgeführten Kursen handelt es sich lediglich um Belegungsempfehlungen für bestimmte Departemente.)
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