The ontology of kwame nkrumahs consciencism and the. Since the publication of the first edition of consciencism in 1964, the african revolution has decisively entered a new phase, the phase of armed struggle. Introduction the past three or more decades have witnessed a deluge of works on the twin quest to know whether african philosophy exists and what its nature consists of. A political statement that was not made up of political. Pdf according to kwame nkrumah, the conscience of the african society is plagued. Claude ake, one of the most outstanding african thinkers of the second half of the 20th century and a great advocate for constructing democracy in africa, primarily viewed the progress of globalization in terms of its numerous dangers. In this regard, his theory of consciencism is the most central. This site seeks to simplify, explain and defend the content of his book, consciencism. The practical application of consciencism in ghana and africa involves a sustained struggle in all three categories of thought.
Philosophy and ideology for decolonization by kwame nkrumah. He shows how in the instance of the enslaved and colonized africans, some individuals succumb to the imposed. Kwame nkrumahs socialpolitical thought and panafrican. His work is credited with dramatically influencing the. Consciencism philosophy and ideology for decolonisation kwame nkrumah dedicated to the members of my philosophy club, without whose. Consciencism is heavy on the philosophical, but light on the practical application. But the realities of the diverse and irreconcilable social, political, and economic policies being pursued by african states today have made the term african socialism. In this book he sets out his personal philosophy, which he terms consciencism, and which has provided the intellectual framework for his political action.
The issue of how to sustain the traditional cultural views of communalistic humanism has become pertinent. Abstract it is popular knowledge that most counties in africa were at one time or the other under the control of foreign countries after the berlin conference that partitioned the continent into various parts and acted as guides for the colonial masters. Consciencism in african political philosophy 1985 edition. Consciencism philosophy and ideology for decolonization and development with particular reference to the african revolution. Consciencism philosophy and the ideology for decolonization. Globalization is seen positively by those to whose societies it brings measurable benefits. The political thought of kwame nkrumah download the political thought of kwame nkrumah ebook pdf or read online books in pdf, epub, and mobi format. It is predominantly a political philosophy, due to the prevalent situations that gave birth to it. Disentangling consciencism by martin odei ajei overdrive. Philosophy and ideology for decolonisation the cream of african and other. In his handbook of revolutionary warfare he talked of three objectives i.
Authors note since the publication of the first edition of consciencism in 1964, the african revolution has decisively. Pdf responding to okadigbos critique of nkrumahs consciencism. Kwame nkrumah was attempting to explain how an independent ghana needed a guiding philosophy to marry the three dominant features of the society. Some years ago, african political leaders and writers used the term african socialism in order to label the concrete forms that socialism might assume in africa. The new discourse was enunciated in nkrumahs book consciencism, philosophy and ideology of decolonisation and development, with particular reference to the african revolution the 1964 subtitle.
This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Then, after all this came the political independence of african states one after another. Department of philosophy and religious studies, kogi state university anyigba, nigeria. Philosophy and ideology for decolonisation, against distortion and revisionism for the understanding of the youth in africa and beyond. One of africa s most renowned philosophers and political leaders, kwame nkrumah was not only at the center of what he called the african revolution, but he. Nkrumah contends that philosophy in its social aspects is an instrument of ideology and an ideology a key to the inward identity of a people, in other words a tool to unite and bring order to society. With this criticism hountondji started an ongoing debate about the status of african philosophy, the status and value of ethnophilosophy, and the position of placide tempels in african philosophy. One of africa s mos renowned philosophers and political leaders, kwame nkrumah was not only at the center of what he called the african revolutions, but he also articulated its ideology.
Nkrumah and the quest for african unity kanu, ikechukwu anthony osa department of philosophy university of nigeria nsukka abstract originally, panafricanism, as a unique cultural and spiritual movement for the promotion of negritude became first used among the black americans and west indians of the 19th century. It was marked that consciencism arrived at a stage of development where the vigorous african search for freedom. The multilevel identity politics of the 2019 eurovision song contest horror. Consciencism in african political philosophy by chuba okadigbo, 1985, fourth dimension publishers edition, in english. African sage philosophy is the name now commonly given to the body of thought produced by persons considered wise in african communities, and more specifically refers to those who seek a rational foundation for ideas and concepts used to describe and view the world by critically examining the justification of those ideas and concepts. With insights into numerous dimensions of nkrumahs philosophy, this volume will be of particular interest to students and scholars of philosophyespecially of nonwestern metaphysical, moral and political thoughtand to anyone working in the history of african political theory. Philosophy is the attempt to understand the nature of the world and. Nkrumah, kwame, 19091972 political and social views. It generalises the laws of change and development in africa not only from the discoveries of science and marxism, but from the whole complex of the movement of african society in its entirety. The political and social thought of kwame nkrumah by ama biney.
Pdf kwame nkrumahs socialpolitical thought and panafrican. Africana philosophy stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Abstract nkrumah demonstrates that all societies and peoples have their own ideology emerging from their particular philosophical views. Nkrumah draws together strands from the three main traditions that make up the african conscience. One thing to note from these ideas on african philosophy is the contextual specificity of african philosophy. Kwame nkrumahs mission and vision for africa and the world. Consciencisms philosophy is based on the following principles. Nkrumaism sometimes consciencism is an african socialist political ideology based on the thinking and writing of kwame nkrumah. Nkrumah saw africa pulled by the three religious value systems represented by indigenous tradition, islam, and european christianity. A distinctive dimension to nkrumahs political impact was his contribution to marxist socialist theory, with particular application to todays africa. African socialism among other things was developed as an ideology to prosecute the developmental project of uniting africans for a truly independent african. It must be noted that consciencism is a summary of nkrumahs ideological viewpoint geared towards the economic and political emancipation of the african. The contending values chuba okadigbo, in his book consciencism in african political philosophy was critical of kwame.
The idea of african liberation as fostered by kwame nkrumah has had a profound impact on the development of blacknationalist ideologies worldwide. In every part of our continent, african revolutionaries are either preparing for armed struggle, or are actively engaged in military operations against. Pdf kwame nkrumah is an iconic panafrican figure who impacted the. Those african leaders who believe these principles are the socialists in africa. Download pdf the political thought of kwame nkrumah free. Consciencism is the philosophy and ideology developed by kwame nkrumah for decolonisation. Philosophy, in understanding human society, cans for an analysis of facts and events, and an attempt to see how they fit into human life, and so how they make up human experience.
It is a philosophy that brings moral responsibility to the work of the panafrican revolution. In our own african experience and environment philosophical consciencism is such a philosophy. Fanon, a trained psychiatrist, diagnosed the disease africa suffered from to be one of alienation caused by colonialism. Put in another way, consciencism has its philosophy, its moral and social theory, and arising from these, a political theory. According to oruka, african philosophy in the above sense is considered in the terms of african past, current, or potential contribution to philosophy in the strict meaning of the term oruka, 2002, p. Africana philosophy is the name for an emergent and still developing field of ideas and ideaspaces, intellectual endeavors, discourses, and discursive networks within and beyond academic philosophy that was recognized as such by national and international organizations of professional philosophers, including the american philosophical association, starting in the 1980s. His prescription for a cure was revolution so that freedom could be attained hansen, 1976. Categories african political philosophy in african africana philosophy. Kwame nkrumah is an iconic pan african figure who impacted the lives of millions of people of africans both n continent and in the diaspora. Kwame nkrumah, awakened by this wicked design of low political spirits, has invoked a quick response in the mind of kwame nkrumah. May 03, 2011 consciencism is the philosophical and ideological system enunciated by dr. Sociopolitical philosophy consciencism nkrumahs vision of african culture as the core segment of africas political freedom and socioeconomic. It was the socio political situation in africa that gave room for questions to be raised in the minds of african thinkers and this invariably was the core focus of the theory formulation in contemporary african philosophy. Philosophy and ideology for decolonization and development with particular reference to the african revolution, africas quest fo.
One of africas most renowned philosophers and political leaders, kwame nkrumah was not only at the center of what he called the african revolution. Kwame nkrumah was attempting to explain how an independent ghana needed a guiding philosophy to marry the three dominant features of the society, the traditional african way of life, the islamic tradition in africa and a final segment which represents the infiltration of the christian tradition and culture of. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. Kwame nkrumah 19091972 a short biography kwame nkrumah photo gallery excerpts from speeches the big six i speak of freedom 1961 africanism and culture december 1962 meeting of the editorial board of the encyclopaedia africana september 24, 1964 continental government for africa consciencism. Click download or read online button to get consciencism in african political philosophy book now. Political thought, i included in the syllabus two african political theorists and the names i used were frantz fanon and kwame nkrumah. Kwame nkrumah of africa for the decolonisation of the continent. African socialism in nkrumah and nyerere deji adesoye. Do the works of the nationalistideological philosophers. African socialism in nkrumah and nyerere pathways to philosophy. Another important political scroll, consciencism contains the political philosophy of the first president of ghana, founder of the oau a precursor to the african union, and the chairman of the allafrican peoples revolutionary party kwame nkrumah. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Consciencism in african political philosophy download. Africana philosophy is the name for an emergent and still developing field of ideas and ideaspaces, intellectual endeavors, discourses, and discursive networks within and beyond academic philosophy that was recognized as such by national and international organizations of professional philosophers, including the american philosophical.
Philosophy and ideology for decolonization and development with particular reference to the african revolution. Click download or read online button to the political thought of kwame nkrumah book pdf for free now. Consciencism philosophy and ideology for decolonisation kwame nkrumah dedicated to the members of my philosophy club, without whose encouragement and assistance this book would not have been written. The specific concept of narrative in african philosophy and its value for crosscultural understanding will surface often and be developed in several ways throughout the book.
There are, however, other african political leaders and thinkers who use the term socialism because they believe that socialism would, in the words of chandler morse, smooth the road to economic development. African sage philosophy stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. In the encyclopedia of african american history volume 3, p. Nkrumah, kwame, 19091972political and social views. Essays on kwame nkrumahs philosophy critically explore the metaphysical, ethical and political thought expressed in consciencism. His book consciencism describes the more political than socioeconomic approach to class contradictions in african society. Nkrumah, a panafricanist and marxistleninist, served as prime minister of the gold coast later ghana from 1952 until 1960 and subsequently as president of ghana before being deposed by the national liberation council in 1966. In doing so, they broaden our understanding of his philosophical ideas and their relevance for effective african contribution to thought in a contemporary world in which. Vi in our own african experience and environment philosophical consciencism is such a philosophy. But just as john locke s political philosophy was a humanist attempt to assert the personal and independent dignity of man, and make man, not god, the reference point of political organization, so in his empiricist philosophy he attempted to make man the centre and source of knowledge.
He offered the african liberationmovement a strategy of socialist revolution. The ontology of kwame nkrumahs consciencism and the democratic theory and practice in africa. Apr 16, 2010 consciencism in african political philosophy by chuba okadigbo, 1985, fourth dimension publishers edition, in english. His idea of consciencism was an attempt to articulate how philosophical ideas can be substantively made relevant to and adapted to the african situation. African political philosophy bibliography philpapers. Consciencism is the philosophical and ideological system enunciated by dr. Kwame nkrumahs socialpolitical thought and panafrican movement. In doing so, they broaden our understanding of his philosophical ideas and their relevance for effective african contribution to thought in a contemporary world in which africa increasingly totters on the margins of international affairs. Nkrumahs political philosophy guided his sociopolitical policies and interactions with. It is popular knowledge that most counties in africa were at one time or the other under the control of foreign countries after the berlin conference that partitioned the continent into various parts and acted as guides for the colonial masters. Fourth dimension publishers 1985 abstract this article has no associated abstract. In part of our continent, african revolutionaries are either preparing for struggle, or are actively engaged in military against the. The idea of consciencism is particularly significant because african societies are changing as a result of colonialism.
The traditional communities are becoming complex states with complex and technical political arrangements. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. University of groningen african political philosophy, 1860. One of africa s most renowned philosophers and political leaders, kwame nkrumah was not only at the center of what he called the african revolution, but he also articulated its ideology. In doing so, they broaden our understanding of his philosophical ideas and their relevance for effective african contribution to thought in a contemporary. The book as the name suggests contains selected topics from various political thinkers and the writings from kwame nkrumah featured prominently in the book. Consciencism in african political philosophy download ebook.