Table of Contents

Preface to the second edition
Introduction by Abiola Irele

Part One: Arguments
1. An alienated literature
2. History of a myth
3. African philosophy, myth, and reality
4. Philosophy and its revolutions

Part Two: Analyses
5. An African philosopher in Germany in the eighteenth century: Anton-Wilhelm Amo
6. The end of 'Nkrumaism' and the (re)birth of Nkrumah
7. The idea of philosophy in Nkrumah's Consciencism
8. True and false pluralism

Postscript
Notes and references
Index

Promotional Information

Co-winner of the Herskovits Award, 1984

About the Author

Paulin J. Hountondji is Professor of Philosophy at the National University of Benin, Cotonou. He is editor of and contributor to Philosophical Research in Africa: A Bibliographic Survey and Endogenous Knowledge: Research Trails. Hountondji is former Minister of Culture and Communication and Special Advisor to the Head of State of Benin.

Reviews

"Hountondji ... writes not as an 'African' philosopher but as a philosopher on Africa... Hountondji's deep understanding of any civilization as necessarily pluralistic, and often even self-contradicting as it evolves, is simply magisterial... This is a precious gem of a book for anyone who wishes to reflect on civilization and culture." Choice