Meaning and Truth in African Philosophy

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This book presents a novel approach to African philosophy by analyzing everyday language. The author posits that traditional African philosophy is embedded in common expressions, suggesting that using taboos, proverbs, idioms, riddles, and metaphors constitutes a form of philosophical engagement. The investigation employs an ordinary language approach and Speech Act theory to analyze proverbs, while examining taboos through counterfactual logic, which focuses on the meaning of taboo expressions based on their structure and usage. This framework reveals unique insights into African philosophy and belief systems. Additionally, the study addresses meaning and rationality through riddles, explores conceptual metaphors related to politics in contemporary African thought, and considers the language of marginalization affecting women and individuals with disabilities. Unlike many works in African philosophy that assert the existence of a distinct African philosophy, this book uncovers philosophical elements within everyday language. It also develops an African conception of beauty and truth through linguistic analysis, highlighting the richness of philosophical thought present in ordinary discourse.