Philosophy's role in the development of Africa

Abstract

Whether Africa is compared with other continents or considered in isolation, much of the continent finds itself in a precarious state. Africa is notably lagging behind in various aspects of development, encompassing not only the economy but also philosophy, science, politics, technology, and more. This precarious condition has led many scholars to adopt a cynical perspective regarding the contributions of philosophy to the continent’s development. However, this study posits that such cynicism stems from a narrow conception of “development,” one that overlooks progress in education, the economy, politics, science, the intellectual dimension of culture, and an unawareness of the fact that Africans, including the influences of colonial and neo-colonial interventions, have played a role in leading the continent to its precarious state. This situation is not attributed to the philosophers’ inability to provide solutions but rather to the unwillingness and failure of African leaders, in their unphilosophical or unrefined political, educational, economic, and scientific policies, to adopt the solutions presented.