History of Philosophy: India, Africana, China
HAP 18 - One to Rule Them All - God in African Philosophy
Dec 23, 2018
Delve into the complexity of traditional African religious beliefs, challenging misconceptions about monotheism. Explore the divine hierarchy in Yoruba beliefs and the concept of God in African philosophy. Uncover the evolution of African religious beliefs influenced by external cultures and delve into the significance of the afterlife in African philosophy.
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Quick takeaways
- Many traditional African cultures exhibit monotheistic tendencies despite worshipping multiple divinities.
- African conceptions of God depict divine attributes similar to those in Abrahamic religions, emphasizing transcendence and divine influence in the world.
Deep dives
Monotheistic Tendencies in Traditional African Religion
Contrary to popular misconceptions associating polytheism with primitive beliefs, many traditional African cultures exhibit monotheistic tendencies. Scholarly interpretations of traditional African religion, such as Diffused Monotheism, challenge the notion of polytheism. The Yoruba of Nigeria, with a vast Pantheon of gods led by Olu-Dumare, illustrate the belief in a supreme god overseeing lesser divinities. Despite the Pantheon, the focus often remains on individual gods in daily religious practices.
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