African Belief and Knowledge Systems: A Critical Perspective

Contents

iii Table of Contents Preface............................................................................................ v Introduction................................................................................... ix Chapter One................................................................................ 1 Defining Metaphysics.................................................................... 1 The Sad History of Metaphysics.................................................... 4 Earlier Positivism......................................................................... 6 Metaphysics Rejected................................................................... 9 The Indispensability of Metaphysics............................................... 10 Metaphysics a Winner?: A Critical Appraisal................................. 12 Chapter Two................................................................................. 17 Uncovering African Metaphysics.................................................. 17 African Metaphysics’ Struggle for Recognition............................. 21 Beneath African Traditional Culture............................................ 25 The Continued Relevance of African Metaphysics...................... 28 The Compatibility of African and Western Metaphysics............. 30 Chapter Three............................................................................. 37 Ontology and Concepts in African Metaphysics........................... 37 The Concept of Being African Metaphysics.................................. 38 The Conception of Person in African Metaphysics..................... 41 Causality and the Two Worlds of Africa........................................ 46 The Conception of Time in African Metaphysical Discourse.......49 Chapter Four................................................................................ 57 The Nexus between African metaphysics and Indigenous Epistemologies............................................................................... 57 Indigenous Knowledge System as African Epistemology............ 59 African Epistemology and the Fallacy of Science.......................... 61 The Persisting Link between African Epistemology and African Metaphysics...................................................................................... 65 iv Chapter Five................................................................................ 77 African Indigenous Epistemologies................................................ 77 Taboos as African Epistemology System...................................... 81 The Metaphysics and Epistemology of Ngozi............................. 85 Epistemologies Enshrouded in Runyoka and Rukwa...................... 87 Witchcraft as Indigenous Metaphysical Epistemology................. 90 Chapter Six..................................................................................... 105 African Indigenous Ways of Knowing........................................... 105 Categorizing African Ways of Knowing........................................... 106 The Supernatural Way of Knowing.................................................. 106 Divination..................................................................................... 106 Revelation and Faith....................................................................... 108 The Natural Way............................................................................ 109 Paranormal.................................................................................... 111 On Behalf of African Metaphysical Epistemology....................... 113 ...