Post by fortigurn on Apr 30, 2019 6:52:00 GMT
Seventeenth century Ethiopian philosopher Zera Yacob represents an important philosophical development in that country. His disciple Walda Heywat developed his philosophy even further. Yacob's philosophy continues to be studied in Ethiopia today, and is still commented on in western philosophical literature.
In recent years there has been a trend among some European and African philosophers and historians to represent Yacob as a "Forgotten Father of the European Enlightenment", claiming that modern philosophy began with Yacob.
Those are bold claims, and I think they're worth critiquing. My response to these ideas starts here.
In recent years there has been a trend among some European and African philosophers and historians to represent Yacob as a "Forgotten Father of the European Enlightenment", claiming that modern philosophy began with Yacob.
It is clear that the African Philosophers not only grappled with modern ideas before the Europeans even comprehended them, but they also approached all their inquiries with reason. Can Europe accept that African men were better thinkers by the 17th century regardless of the unjustified prejudice against their race?
Those are bold claims, and I think they're worth critiquing. My response to these ideas starts here.
