Author Description

In this volume, I present to the reader exciting articles that cut across different areas of the disciplines of African philosophy and studies. The first article by the famous Paulin Hountondji of the National University of Benin Republic took long coming. In over four decades, he pursued his goal of critiquing the practice and direction of African philosophy which climaxed in his famous 1983 book titled [African Philosophy: Myth and Reality], revised in 1996. Critics have descended on his conclusion that what is called African philosophy might just be a myth over the years. In his article in this issue, he responds in style. His opening statement says it all: "Let me straight from the beginning confess one thing: I am not happy with the phrase "African Philosophy" used to describe a subject-matter, a specific discipline in the university curriculum. Why? Because it seems to particularize a kind of intellectual production taking place in Africa and to deny its universal validity." Other contributors in this volume addressed topical and exciting issues in the discipline. The collection is worth reading.