French Literature Reviews - 2026
A. Makey, L'aurore de la philosophie négro-africaine du XXe siècle. Oeuvres, clés, analyse
Philosophy, Anthropology and Ideas
L'aurore de la philosophie négro-africaine du XXe siècle. Oeuvres, clés, analyse
Auguy Makey
L'Harmattan, coll. "Études africaines", 2019.
416 p.
29.00 €
EAN13: 9782343185354
Auguy Makey presents and analyzes the most representative essays of Sub-Saharan African philosophical writing from the last century. Western histories of philosophy, despite their sheer number, consistently omit African texts. Is this born of ignorance or disdain? To be entirely fair, one must acknowledge the youth and even inexperience of Sub-Saharan African philosophical thought, which is still finding its footing and its own path. The philosophical debate is now underway in Africa. It is now up to African thinkers to step onto the international stage and finally showcase the full extent of their talent.
Auguy Makey, born in Brazzaville, holds a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne and is a specialist in African philosophy. He lives and works in Libreville.
Auguy Makey's work situates itself within the ongoing effort to document and legitimize African philosophy, an intellectual tradition often marginalized by Western academia. Throughout the twentieth century, thinkers from Sub-Saharan Africa sought to define a distinct philosophical identity, navigating the tensions between traditional African worldviews and Western philosophical frameworks. By examining key essays from this pivotal era, this volume highlights how African intellectuals have engaged with questions of ontology, ethics, and political liberation, establishing a rigorous discourse that challenges the historical hegemony of European thought.
This study is an essential resource for students and scholars of African studies, postcolonial theory, and global philosophy. It addresses crucial questions regarding the canonization of philosophical texts and the criteria used to define philosophical inquiry. Readers seeking to expand their understanding of twentieth-century thought will find a structured analysis of foundational texts that are rarely covered in standard curricula. Ultimately, the book serves as an invitation to integrate these vital voices into a more inclusive, global history of ideas.