History of Philosophy: India, Africana, China

An interview with Nkiru Nzegwu on matriarchy and gender fluidity in Africa.

Exploring the complexities of gender roles in African tradition, from matriarchal to patriarchal societies. Scholars challenge binary gender assumptions in cultures like the Yoruba and Igboh, highlighting fluidity. The podcast delves into the evolution of gender dynamics, analyzing the impact of colonialism and Christianity on power relations between men and women.

Delving into ancient African healing practices, divination complexities, and the roles of witches in various cultures. Exploring the rationality behind traditional healing methods and the societal impact of these practices post-colonization.

The podcast delves into African philosophy's emphasis on community, discussing rituals, ubuntu philosophy, consensus decision-making in politics, balancing communalism and individualism, and the challenges of adopting communalism from a different philosophical tradition.

The podcast delves into African concepts of personhood, challenging mind-body assumptions. It explores dualistic beliefs in Akan and Yoruba cultures, delving into Emi, Ori, and Okan. The discussion extends to individual duality in Greek and African traditions, emphasizing the importance of ancestors. The complexity of spirit possession and identity in African philosophy is also examined.

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.

John Mbiti discusses African philosophy of time, highlighting the traditional African view of time with a long past, a present, and virtually no future. The podcast explores contrasting perspectives on time between African and Western societies, emphasizing the cyclical nature of time in ancient civilizations like Egypt and the fluid African concept of time through concrete events and cultural perspectives.

Sam Imbo discusses the significance of oral traditions in African philosophy, focusing on Ugandan poet Okot p'Bitek's life and ideals. They debate the use of oral vs written texts, explore traditional vs Western values, and delve into women's roles in oral traditions.

An introduction to the “ethnophilosophy” approach inaugurated by Placide Tempels, its promises and potential pitfalls.

Peter speaks to Souleymane Bachir Diagne about Islamic scholars in West Africa.