African Philosophy and Enactivist Cognition: The Space of Thought

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Description

Using classic texts in African philosophy, Bruce B. Janz applies the strand of cognitive science known as enactivism to realise new connections and intersections between both fields. The idea that cognition is embodied and embedded in a social world neatly maps onto specifically African epistemologies to outline a new direction of study on what philosophy is. By working through a rich range of texts and thinkers, Janz provides a fruitful new interpretation of African philosophy and provides close readings of seminal and sidelined thinkers to provide an invaluable resource for students and scholars. Janzs study takes in the creative humanism of Sylvia Wynter, Placide Tempelss Bantu Philosophy, Mbitis theory of time, Orukas last work on sage philosophy, Mogobe Ramoses own version of Ubuntu, Sophie Oluwoles active literature of philosophy, Achille Mbembes excoriating attack on the effects of colonialism on life in Africa, and Suzanne Csaire writings on ngritude. This book reorients African philosophy towards an active and creative future informed by enactivist thinking.

Reviews

Brilliant, creative and a compelling guide for new encounters with African Philosophy. * Michael Onyebuchi Eze, Associate Professor of Global and Comparative Philosophy, Institute of Philosophy, Leiden University, The Netherlands *
Bruce Janzs reckoning with key figures in African philosophy is absolutely groundbreaking. Placing his readings of African philosophy inside critical and persistent theoretical questions, Janz is able to draw out the force of African thought and mark its vital place in the future of philosophical thinking. This is genuinely urgent work. * John E. Drabinski, Professor of African American Studies, University of Maryland, USA *

Author Bio

Bruce B. Janz is Professor of Humanities in the Department of Philosophy and co-director of the Center for Humanities and Digital Research at the University of Central Florida, USA.