From beginner-friendly introductions to comprehensive textbooks on African philosophy, this page features books to suit any learning style. It’s important to note that there is no single best book on African philosophy. The best book for you will depend heavily on your preferred learning style and the amount of time/energy you’re willing to spend reading.
It’s also worth noting that it is not a list of personal recommendations. Personal book recommendations tend to be highly subjective, idiosyncratic, and unreliable. This list is part of a collection of over 100 philosophy reading lists which aim to provide a central resource for philosophy book recommendations. These lists were created by searching through hundreds of university course syllabi, internet encyclopedia bibliographies, and community recommendations. Links to the syllabi and other sources used to create this list are at the end of the post. Following these links will help you quickly find a broader range of options if the listed books do not fit what you are looking for.
Here are the best books on African philosophy in no particular order.
An Introduction to African Philosophy – Samuel Oluoch Imbo
Category: Short Introduction | Length: 176 pages | Published: 1998
Publishers description: Organized topically rather than historically, this book provides an excellent introduction to the subject of African Philosophy. Samuel Oluoch Imbo synthesizes the ideas of key African philosophers into an accessible narrative. The author focuses on five central questions: What are the definitions of African philosophy? Is ethno-philosophy really philosophy? What are the dangers of an African philosophy that claims to be ‘unique’? Can African philosophy be done in foreign languages such as English and French? Are there useful ways to make connections between African philosophy, African American philosophy, and women’s studies? By making cross-disciplinary and transnational connections, Imbo stakes out an important place for African philosophy. Imbo’s book is an invaluable introduction to this dynamic and growing area of study.
A Short History of African Philosophy – Barry Hallen
Category: Short Introduction | Length: 208 pages | Published: 2009 (2ed.)
Publishers description: A Short History of African Philosophy discusses major ideas, figures, and schools of thought in philosophy in the African context. While drawing out critical issues in the formation of African philosophy, Barry Hallen focuses on recent scholarship and relevant debates that have made African philosophy critical to understanding the rich and complex cultural heritage of the continent. This revised edition expands the historical perspective, takes account of recent discoveries and new canonical figures, highlights new discussions about gender as a cultural and philosophical phenomenon, clarifies issues regarding indigenous cultures and human rights, and builds on the notion that African philosophy shares methods and concerns of philosophy worldwide. This short reference is an essential resource for students, scholars, and general readers.
African Philosophy: Myth and Reality – Paulin J. Hountondji & Abiola Irele
Category: Textbook | Length: 248 pages | Published: 1996 (2ed.)
Publishers description: In this incisive, original exploration of the nature and future of African philosophy, Paulin J. Hountondji attacks a myth popularized by ethnophilosophers such as Placide Tempels and Alexis Kagame that there is an indigenous, collective African philosophy separate and distinct from the Western philosophical tradition. Hountondji contends that ideological manifestations of this view that stress the uniqueness of the African experience are protonationalist reactions against colonialism conducted, paradoxically, in the terms of colonialist discourse. Hountondji argues that a genuine African philosophy must assimilate and transcend the theoretical heritage of Western philosophy and must reflect a rigorous process of independent scientific inquiry. This edition is updated with a new preface in which Hountondji responds to his critics and clarifies misunderstandings about the book’s conceptual framework.
African Philosophy in Search of Identity – D. A. Masolo
Category: Textbook | Length: 316 pages | Published: 1994
Publishers description:
A Kenyan philosopher surveys themes and debates in African philosophy over the last five decades. Masolo’s purview includes Francophone and Anglophone philosophers in both the analytic and phenomenological traditions.
A Companion to African Philosophy – Kwasi Wiredu
Category: Comprehensive Textbook | Length: 608 pages | Published: 2006
Publishers description: This volume of newly commissioned essays provides comprehensive coverage of African philosophy, ranging across disciplines and throughout the ages.
- Offers a distinctive historical treatment of African philosophy.
- Covers all the main branches of philosophy as addressed in the African tradition.
- Includes accounts of pre-colonial African philosophy and contemporary political thought.
The African Philosophy Reader – P.H. Coetzee & A.P.J. Roux
Category: Anthology | Length: 686 pages | Published: 2003 (2ed.)
Publishers description: Divided into eight sections, each with introductory essays, the selections offer rich and detailed insights into a diverse multinational philosophical landscape. Revealed in this pathbreaking work is the way in which traditional philosophical issues related to ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology, for instance, take on specific forms in Africa’s postcolonial struggles. Much of its moral, political, and social philosophy is concerned with the turbulent processes of embracing modern identities while protecting ancient cultures.
The following sources were used to build this list:
University Course Syllabi:
- African Philosophy – University of Central Florida
- African Philosophy – SOAS
- African Philosophy – US International University
Bibliographies:
- Bibliography for the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy article on Africana Philosophy
- Bibliography for the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy article on the History of African Philosophy
Other Recommendations:
- What kinds of African philosophy are there?
- Does anyone know any African Philosophers worth a look ?!
- What should I read to learn more about philosophy by African authors?
Additional Resources
You might also be interested in the following reading lists:
- The Eight Best Introductory Philosophy Books
- The Eight Best Books on Chinese Philosophy
- The Eight Best Introductory Books on Ethics
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A History of Western Philosophy in 500 Essential Quotations – Lennox Johnson
Category: Reference | Length: 145 pages | Published: 2019
Publisher’s Description: A History of Western Philosophy in 500 Essential Quotations is a collection of the greatest thoughts from history’s greatest thinkers. Featuring classic quotations by Aristotle, Epicurus, David Hume, Friedrich Nietzsche, Bertrand Russell, Michel Foucault, and many more, A History of Western Philosophy in 500 Essential Quotations is ideal for anyone looking to quickly understand the fundamental ideas that have shaped the modern world.