The Life and Thought of H. Odera Oruka: Pursuing Justice in Africa

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Henry Odera Oruka was one of the most influential figures in 20th-century African philosophy. During the early years of the decolonization of African countries, as universities worked to redefine themselves, Odera drove changes to curricula and research. A tireless advocate for democracy and human rights in Africa, he repeatedly intervened in the political debates of his time. This is the first critical biography of both the man himself and African philosophy in the context of changing times, taking us through his early life, scholarly training, and Oruka's way of transforming the field of philosophy as it was taught in Kenya. The narrative unfolds from the personal to the global, from Africa to the world, and from African philosophy to the wider field of philosophy. Biographical material is woven with narratives of the social conditions and live questions as they arise in Orukas life in Kenya, Sweden, and the United States. We are introduced to his understanding of philosophy as a critique of society. Exposing prison practices in Africa and targeting capitalists, Oruka sought to remedy social problems on a global scale, from institutional racism and ethnic division to the wealth gap between rich and poor nations. Through archival material, personal interviews and primary texts, this book shines a light on Oruka's monumental contribution to African philosophy and global justice. Finally we can see how Oruka's insights are still relevant to how we think about poverty, philosophy and human rights today.

Reviews

Presbey takes the reader right into the events and influences that shaped H. Odera Oruka. She skillfully provides the context for understanding Orukas thought and legacy as well as making sense of the discussions within African Philosophy. * Sam Imbo, Professor of Philosophy, Hamline University, USA. *
This long-awaited book is a detailed study of the development of one of Africa's most influential philosophers in the second half of the 20th century: Henry Odera Oruka. Oruka, who became best known for his Sage philosophy project, was a tireless advocate for democracy and human rights in Africa and repeatedly intervened in the political debates of his time. Presbey traces the path of his thought in detail and provides unique insights into the debates in African philosophy of the 1960s to 1990s. * Anke Graness, Researcher in History of Philosophy and Philosophy in Africa, Foundation University of Hildesheim, Germany *
The work weaves delicately but concisely the life and thoughts of one of the major figures in contemporary African philosophy. H. Odera Orukas philosophy exemplifies applied philosophy to pertinent issues of our time such as human equality and dignity, freedom and human rights, poverty, global justice and environmental philosophy. * Oriare Nyarwath, PhD, Senior Lecturer of Philosophy, University of Nairobi, Kenya *

Author Bio

Gail Presbey is Professor of Philosophy and Affiliate Faculty in History at the University of Detroit Mercy, USA.