Thought and Practice in African Philosophy

Sixth annual conference of the International Society for African Philosophy and Studies (ISAPS)

Co-sponsored and hosted by the Philosophy Department, UON

With Support from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation

Education Building, Theatre II

University of Nairobi
10- 12 March, 2000

Nairobi, Kenya

For the Call for Papers and Registration forms, click here.

PROGRAM

FRIDAY, 10 MARCH

8 a.m.: Registration begins

Introductions and Welcomes

9 a.m.

Dr. Solomon Monyenye, Welcome from the Dept. of Philosophy, UON
Otieno Aluoka, Programme Officer, Konrad Adenauer Foundation. (On behalf of Dr. Ingo Scholz, Regional Director)
Prof. Mauri Yambo, Dean of Faculty of Arts
Prof. F. Kibera, Principal of Arts and Sciences
Prof. F. Karani, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academics
Prof. Francis Gichaga, Vice Chancellor, Welcome from UON
Dr. Olufemi Taiwo, Loyola University, Chicago, USA. ISAPS Presidential Address. Report on ISAPS: Past, present, and Future..”

ON INTERCULTURAL PHILOSOPHY I

Chair: Prof. J. Nyasani, UON
10:00 - 11:00

Prof. Heinrich Beck, Otto Friedrich University, Bamberg, Germany, “On the Importance of Intercultural Studies in Philosophy.”

11:00 Tea break

ON INTERCULTURAL PHILOSOPHY II

Chair: Prof. J. Nyasani, UON
11:30- 1p.m.

Prof. G.E.M. Ogutu, UON, “African Renaissance: A Third Millennium Challenge to the Thought and Practice of African Philosophy.”
Prof. Jeffrey Crawford, Central State University, Ohio, “Africana Philosophy, Civilization of the Universal, and the Giving of Gifts.”

1 p.m.: Lunch Break. Lunch to be held in the Vice Chancellor’s Parlour, Gandhi Wing, UON
(Note: This venue is across the green which is in front of Education Building, up two flights.)

THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY I

Chair: Dr. Jack Odhiambo, UON

2:30 - 4 p.m.

Chaungo Barasa, CARE-Kenya, “Narrowing the gap between past practices and future thoughts in 'African' cultures: a key role for Sage philosophy in the 21st Century.”
Kai Kresse, SOAS, London, “On an anthropology of philosophy, in the African context.”

4 p.m.: Tea break

THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY II

Chair: Mr. Joseph Situma, UON
4:30 - 6 p.m.

Prof. A.T. Dalfovo, Makerere University, Uganda, “Thought and Practice: From the Past to the Future.”
F.E.A. Owakah, UON, “The Practice of Philosophy in Africa: Challenges and Prospects.”*

SATURDAY, 11 MARCH

ON FEMINISM

9 to 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Humphrey Ojwang, UON.

Hellen Oduk, Kenyatta University, “Feminist Philosophy: An African Perspective.”
Prof. Claude Sumner, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, "The Status of Woman in Ethiopian Sapiential and Philosophical Literature: Information and Critique."

10:30: Tea Break

CONSTITUTION-MAKING IN AFRICA

11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Chair, Dr. F. Ochieng’-Odhiambo, UON.

Prof. Olufemi Taiwo, Loyola University, Chicago, USA. “Two Modern African Constitutions.”
Prof. D. Okoth Okombo, UON, “The Localist Paradigm and the Kenyan Constitutional Review Debate.”

12:30 p.m.: Lunch Break. Lunch to be held at Kenya National Theatre (balcony level).
(Note: The Kenya National Theatre is next door. Upon leaving Education Building, turn left, and left again at the corner of the building. When you reach a road behind Education building, turn right and follow it out of campus. As you go through the gate, turn left, and the first gate on your left is the National Theatre. The Theatre itself will be on your right, you should be able to see people dining on the balcony from where you are standing.)

2- 3 p.m.: ISAPS Business meeting/ Election of officers

ON PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION I

Chair: Caxton Nyahela, UON

3- 4:30 p.m.

Prof. Joe Teffo, University of the North, South Africa. “Religious Pluralism in Africa.”*
Prof. Casper Odegi-Awuondo, UON. “Is Africa Innocent of Christianity?”*

4:30 p.m. Tea Break

ON PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION II

Chair: Caxton Nyahela, UON

5 - 6:30 p.m.: Part Two

Elizabeth Dorothea Hecht, DAAD, Nairobi. “The Impact of Non-African Religions and Systems of Thought on African Philosophies.”
Humphrey Ojwang, UON, “Cultural and Religious Syncretism: An African Perspective.”

SUNDAY, 12 MARCH

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

A: EDUCATION THEATRE II
ON SAGE PHILOSOPHY
Chair: Mr. Ndovhu Juma, UON

B: EDUCATION THEATRE I
ON ETHICS AND POLITICS
Chair, Mr. Karori Mbugua, UON

9 - 10:30 a.m

Bekele Gutema, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, “The Role of Sagacity in Resolving Conflicts Peacefully.”
Peter O. Onyango, Moi University, “A Continuing Study on Sage Philosophy: Emphasis on Oginga Odinga.”

Oriare Nyarwath, UON, “The Moral Dilemma of Corruption.”
Shannon Shea, Loyola University, Chicago, “Is Colonialism Dead in Rwanda?”

10:30 a.m.

Tea Break

Tea Break

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Charles Moore, University of California - Los Angeles, USA, “The Globalization of Philosophic Sagacity in the African Music Continuum.”
Dr. Kavetsa Adagala, UON, “Literary Theory Building: Expanding Sage Philosophy Methodology.”*

Pamela Abuya, Moi University, “"The Theory And Practice Of Democracy In Africa: Challenges to Philosophers In The New Millennium.”*
Dr. Solomon Monyenye, UON, “Culture and Social Problems in Kenya.”

12:30 - 2 p.m.: Lunch. Lunch will be held at the United Kenya Club.
(To reach the United Kenya Club, upon leaving the Education Building, turn right, and right again. Once you pass the library, turn left and go out of the campus gate. Continue along the same sidewalk and pass through the tunnel. On the other side of the tunnel, turn right and then left at the top. Follow this road as it goes straight and finally curves right. Soon after the curve you will see the entrance to United Kenya Club.)

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

A: EDUCATION THEATRE II
LANGUAGE AND PARADIGMS
Chair, Kai Kresse, SOAS, London.

B: EDUCATION THEATRE I
POLITICS AND ETHICAL CONCERNS
Chair: Mr. Wafulah Jackson, UON

2 - 3:30 p.m.

Michael Ntabo Mabururu, Moi University, “Language and the Development of African Philosophy.”
Prof. Jay van Hook, University of Central Florida, USA. “The Universalist Thesis Revisited: What Direction for African Philosophy in the NewMillennium?”

Dr. A. Okoth Owiro, UON, “Law and the Enforcement of Morals.”*
Dr. Gail Presbey, UON, “Philosophers on Development: The Approaches of H. Odera Oruka and Segun Gbadegesin.”

3:30 p.m.

Tea Break

Tea Break

4 - 6 p.m.

Prof. Pieter Duvenage, University of the North, South Africa. “Is there a South African Philosophical Tradition?”
Joseph Situma, UON, “Paradigmatic Constraints and Africa’s Quest for Identity.”
Dr. Maduabuchi Dukor, University of Ghana. “Kant’s Epistemology and African Faculties of Knowing.”

Workineh Kelbessa, Addis Ababa University, “Indigenous and Modern Environmental Ethics: Towards Partnership.”
Daniel Smith, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. “Pragmatic vs. Ideological Development in Africa.”
Dr. Pieter Coetzee, UNISA, South Africa. “Metanationality, Comprehensive Democracy, and Left Communitarian Rights: Lessons from Ghana for South Africa.”

6 - 6:30 p.m. Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks. Prof. G.E.M. Ogutu, UON.

TOPICS AND SPEAKERS

INTERCULTURAL PHILOSOPHY:

Heinrich Beck, Otto Friedrich University, Bamberg, Germany, "On the Importance of Intercultural Studies in Philosophy."*

Jeffrey Crawford, Central State University, Ohio, "Africana Philosophy, Civilization of the Universal, and the Giving of Gifts."

Kai Kresse, SOAS, London, "On an anthropology of philosophy, in the African context."

FEMINISM:

Claude Sumner, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, "The Status of Woman in Ethiopian Sapiential and Philosophical Literature: Information and Critique."

Hellen Oduk, Kenyatta University, "African Feminist Philosophy."*

PHILOSOPHY AND POLITICS:

Anthony Bogues, University of West Indies, Mona and Brown University, "Equality and Humanism in the Political Thought of Julius Nyerere."

D. Okoth Okombo, UON, "The Localist Paradigm and the Kenyan Constitutional Review Debate."

Pieter Coetzee, UNISA, South Africa, "Metanationality, Comprehensive Democracy, and Left Communitarian Rights: Lessons from Ghana for South Africa."

Shannon Shea, Loyola University, Chicago, "Is Colonialism Dead in Rwanda?"

PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION:

Humphrey Ojwang, UON, "Cultural and Religious Syncretism: An African Perspective."

Elizabeth Dorothea Hecht, DAAD, Nairobi. "The Impact of Non-African Religions and Systems of Thought on African Philosophies."

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS AND DEVELOPMENT:

Workineh Kelbesse, Addis Ababa University, "Indigenous and Modern Environmental Ethics: Towards Partnership."

Gail Presbey, UON, "H. Odera Oruka on Environment and Sustainable Development."

Daniel Smith, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. "Pragmatic vs. Ideological Development in Africa."

SAGE PHILOSOPHY:

Charles Moore, University of California - Los Angeles, "The Globalization of Philosophic Sagacity in the African Music Continuum."

Kavetsa Adagala, UON, "Literary Theory Building: Expanding Sage Philosophy Methodology."*

Bekele Gutema, Addis Ababa University, "The Role of Sagacity in Resolving Conflicts Peacefully."

Peter O. Onyango, Moi University, "A Continuing Study on Sage Philosophy: Emphasis on Oginga Odinga."*

EPISTEMOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE:

Kosie Abrahams, Univ. of the Western Cape, South Africa, "Upon Opening the White Box of the First Heart Transplant: Africa and Philosophy of Technology".

Maduabuchi Dukor, University of Ghana. "Kant's Epistemology and African Faculties of Knowing."

Jay van Hook, Central Florida State University, "Oruka and Wiredu on Truth."*

THE PRACTICE OF AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY:

A.T. Dalfovo, Makerere University, "Thought and Practice: From the Past to the Future."

Pieter Duvenage, Univ of the North, South Africa, "Is there a South African Philosophical
Tradition?"*

F.E.A. Owakah, UON, "The Practice of Philosophy in Africa: Challenges and Prospects."*

And many more.....

[Note: * = still to be confirmed.]

Registration fees : Outside of East Africa: $35 full-time faculty, $15 students. Includes teas. Lunches, all three days, add $15.

Contact:

F. Ochieng' -Odhiambo

Dept of Philosophy

Univ. of Nairobi

PO Box 30197
Nairobi, Kenya

phone: (254-2)334244 x28137

fax: (254-2) 222036

e mail: philuon@hotmail.com

	A: EDUCATION THEATRE II ON SAGE PHILOSOPHY Chair: Mr. Ndovhu Juma, UON	B: EDUCATION THEATRE I ON ETHICS AND POLITICS Chair, Mr. Karori Mbugua, UON
9 - 10:30 a.m	Bekele Gutema, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, “The Role of Sagacity in Resolving Conflicts Peacefully.” Peter O. Onyango, Moi University, “A Continuing Study on Sage Philosophy: Emphasis on Oginga Odinga.”	Oriare Nyarwath, UON, “The Moral Dilemma of Corruption.” Shannon Shea, Loyola University, Chicago, “Is Colonialism Dead in Rwanda?”
10:30 a.m.	Tea Break	Tea Break
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Charles Moore, University of California - Los Angeles, USA, “The Globalization of Philosophic Sagacity in the African Music Continuum.” Dr. Kavetsa Adagala, UON, “Literary Theory Building: Expanding Sage Philosophy Methodology.”*	Pamela Abuya, Moi University, “"The Theory And Practice Of Democracy In Africa: Challenges to Philosophers In The New Millennium.”* Dr. Solomon Monyenye, UON, “Culture and Social Problems in Kenya.”

	A: EDUCATION THEATRE II LANGUAGE AND PARADIGMS Chair, Kai Kresse, SOAS, London.	B: EDUCATION THEATRE I POLITICS AND ETHICAL CONCERNS Chair: Mr. Wafulah Jackson, UON
2 - 3:30 p.m.	Michael Ntabo Mabururu, Moi University, “Language and the Development of African Philosophy.” Prof. Jay van Hook, University of Central Florida, USA. “The Universalist Thesis Revisited: What Direction for African Philosophy in the NewMillennium?”	Dr. A. Okoth Owiro, UON, “Law and the Enforcement of Morals.”* Dr. Gail Presbey, UON, “Philosophers on Development: The Approaches of H. Odera Oruka and Segun Gbadegesin.”
3:30 p.m.	Tea Break	Tea Break
4 - 6 p.m.	Prof. Pieter Duvenage, University of the North, South Africa. “Is there a South African Philosophical Tradition?” Joseph Situma, UON, “Paradigmatic Constraints and Africa’s Quest for Identity.” Dr. Maduabuchi Dukor, University of Ghana. “Kant’s Epistemology and African Faculties of Knowing.”	Workineh Kelbessa, Addis Ababa University, “Indigenous and Modern Environmental Ethics: Towards Partnership.” Daniel Smith, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. “Pragmatic vs. Ideological Development in Africa.” Dr. Pieter Coetzee, UNISA, South Africa. “Metanationality, Comprehensive Democracy, and Left Communitarian Rights: Lessons from Ghana for South Africa.”