Henry odera oruka books a million

Henry Odera Oruka

Kenyan philosopher

Henry Odera Oruka (1 June , in Siaya County – 9 December , in Nairobi) was a African philosopher who is best common for "Sage Philosophy". It was a project started in primacy ’s in an attempt kind preserve the knowledge of loftiness indigenous thinkers in traditional Mortal communities.

Life and work

Henry Odera Oruka was born on 1 June in Masiro-Nyang'ungu, Ugenya, Siaya County.

Samuel gompers biography

After his advanced level studies in Kenya, he went give a positive response Uppsala University in Sweden. Near he registered for a BSc programme in the Faculty produce Mathematics–Natural Science and studied prognostication, Geography, and Geodesy. He afterwards added Philosophy to his studies because of his interest footpath the subject.

Upon graduating close in Science and Philosophy (a epoch ahead of his class), unquestionable opted to drop science give orders to continue with his studies monitor philosophy. He moved to Histrion State University in the Merged States of America for monarch master's degree where he organized his studies and eventually derivative a PhD.

His dissertation accede the theme of "Freedom" (written in ) was later ingenious and published as Punishment station Terrorism in Africa in Deviate October until his death insignificance 9 December , he instructed philosophy at the University objection Nairobi.^[1]

The majority and dominant rod at the Department of Rationalism and Religious Studies which confidential been launched in at magnanimity University of Nairobi were priests and lay theologians.

They confidential little time for "African Philosophy" as they harbored doubts problem the ability of Africans finish off think logically. After years look upon a sustained and bitter strain spearheaded by Odera Oruka, Thinking was separated from Religion scorn the university in July gleam he was appointed the Founder-Chairman of the new Department receive Philosophy.^[2] Unfortunately for the segment, the death of Odera Oruka was accompanied with a discolored decline in the international biography of Philosophy at the Habit of Nairobi.

The discipline renounce Odera Oruka worked so take steps to separate from Religion has since been merged with 1 once again.

Odera Oruka was the founder-president of the Erudite Association of Kenya (PAK); probity founding-director of the International Organization of Environmental Studies (IIES), Nairobi; a member of the Kenya National Academy of Sciences (KNAS); the secretary-general of African Futures Studies Association (AFSA); the secretary-general of the Afro-Asian Philosophical Sect (AAPA); vice-president of the Inter-African Council of Philosophy (IACP); elegant member of the executive panel of both the Federation Ubiquitous de societe philosophique (FISP) most important World Futures Studies Federation.^[3] Harden June 3, , he ordinary an honorary doctorate from leadership Faculty of Humanities from Upsala University.^[4]

Personal life

Odera Oruka was hitched twice.

His first wife, character late Millicent Achien'g, bore him three children: Owiso Odera (the deceased ^[5] Hollywood actor), Stuff Odera (Veteran Actress/Model and Accountant), and Sharon Odera(deceased). He difficult to understand two children with his subsequent wife, Olivia Phoebe Ayoma, ie Ronnie Omuga and Peter Oruka Odera (an International relations practitioner).

Basic philosophical beliefs

Three philosophical approaches can be seen in Oruka's works:

Socio-economic deprivation

Poverty and hanker in Africa are the largest constraints to mental development prosperous creativity. But, rather than whiny about imperialism, colonialism, foreign native domination etc., the remedy forced to be looked for by tidy process of self-national examination mount critique.

Cultural racial mythology

The race against cultural and racial mythologies was one of his drawing topics. He differentiated two types of myths: Myths about loftiness level of civilisation and nobleness of some races as anti to the backwardness and lackey mentality of others. The specially myth is about the philosophic-scientific gifts of certain races submit the corresponding lack in treat races, Africa always being register the ungifted and uncivilised raze of the scale.

Illusion take up appearance

He divided the meaning living example appearance into three parts. Occupy the first part, he describes a reliance on outward look as a disease of overbearing people in the society. Picture second meaning is appearance despite the fact that it is manipulated by job tycoons and others in competence to boost their rank brook influence.

In the third sharing out, the philosophical level, appearance becomes an obstacle to intellectual significance. This type of appearance levelheaded prominent in the field elect education, where people are cultured styles rather than substance. Depiction result is not knowledge nevertheless prejudice, racism, tribalism, sexism trip irrational indifference to other cultures.

This prompted him to examine concepts to arrive at customarily accepted truth rather than relying on mere appearance.

The fighting of an independent African philosophy

There has been considerable (and frequently acrimonious) debate about the pre-Western existence of an independent Person philosophy and what its style might be.

Odera Oruka unhesitating four trends or approaches summon this discussion.^[6]

Ethnophilosophy

Describes the worldview instead thought-system of particular African communities as philosophy. This type quite a few philosophy sees the African breakout of thinking as "communal thought" and describes its emotional application as one of its unequalled features.

Examples of those property this position are: Placide Tempels, Leopold Sedar Senghor, John Brutal. Mbiti, and Alexis Kagame.

Nationalistic-Ideological philosophy

Consists of works of founding-fathers and statesmen in Africa, whose social-political theories were based sign on traditional African socialism and stock values.

Among them were: Kwame Nkrumah, Sekou Toure, Julius Nyerere, and Kenneth Kaunda.

Professional philosophy

This is the position generally disused by professionally trained students imperfection teachers of philosophy. They spurn Ethnophilosophy and instead adopt spruce universalistic point of view. Move their opinion, African philosophy have to be approached with the changeless forms of critical analysis purposeful to mainstream Western philosophy.

A-ok descriptive approach, by itself, evaluation more appropriate to the domain of anthropology and applies ridiculous standards to African thought. Philosophers belonging to this trend include: Kwasi Wiredu, Paulin Hountondji, Tool O. Bodunrin, and Odera Oruka.

Philosophic Sagacity

Philosophic Sagacity is Odera Oruka's research project begun be sold for the early s designed correspond with preserve the philosophical thoughts incessantly traditional Kenyan sages.

The essential principle of Philosophic Sagacity evaluation that in both traditional highest modern Africa there exist unit and men, illiterate and scholarly, who commonly engage in abstract reflection on various problems firm footing human life and nature worry general.

Unlike ethnophilosophy, which emphasises communal thinking, Philosophic Sagacity searches for individual thinkers in blue blood the gentry traditional community.

These "sages" voice and defend their philosophical tend and opinions on various issues of nature and human poised. Some of these thoughts uniform if not philosophical in authority strict sense could nevertheless comprise raw data for technical philosophic reflections by professional or accomplished philosophers. Oruka wanted to single-mindedness out that there is weather was a philosophy in Continent in the fullest sense conduct operations the word: a philosophy consider it deals with daily human adversity and issues which are general to every human being, specified as the existence of fastidious Deity, life, knowledge, death etc.

Such issues are not probity sole domain of literate create but are usually best addressed by the few who glare at "transcend" the communal way archetypal thinking.

Though some have oftentimes equated "Sage Philosophy" with "Philosophic sagacity," Odera Oruka did shed tears. Odera Oruka distinguished between bend in half wings of Sage Philosophy: (1) being the folk or approved sagacity, and (2) being authority philosophic sagacity.

While the preceding expresses well known communal system, aphorisms and general common esoteric truths, the latter expresses rendering thoughts of wise men boss women that transcend popular sagacity and attain a philosophic capacity.^[7] Hence whereas all instances understanding philosophic sagacity locate within con philosophy, not every instance grow mouldy sage philosophy constitute philosophic wisdom.

The novelty of Odera Oruka's project is to be exist in philosophic sagacity since decency folk sagacity dimension of staircase philosophy would be a disengagement to ethnophilosophy.^[8]

The method

Odera Oruka extremity his colleagues went with tape-record recorders into villages of ridiculous ethnic communities in Kenya obstacle engage those who were plainness by their own communities round be wise.

The discourses were held in the native idiom of the presumptive wise rank and file or women.

Muse medicine band biography

Each "wise statement" was challenged by the interlocutors. If the person had graceful philosophical frame of mind he/she would be able to proffer rational answers to the target or requests for clarification. Granting he/she had not, he/she gave unsatisfactory answers or perhaps was unable to reply. It was believed by this method wash philosophy could be separated yield popular wisdom.

Criticisms of Stoical Sagacity

Philosophic Sagacity is not logic is the main argument holiday D. A. Masolo. Based start in on Socratic method, his analysis shows how frequently tradition and assessment are based on insufficient modus operandi. For him, true philosophy relies on analysis, definition, and statement.

Pre-Socratic knowledge has no predicament in strict philosophy. Philosophic perceptiveness, he believes, falls into honesty category of pre-Socratic philosophy. Both fail in a consistent posture towards, and practice of, silly explanation, despite the presence subtract the "sage" and the treat with him/her. A mere call into question of a topic does sound have the high degree be beaten abstraction, conceptual analysis, and participation which, according to him, strengthen the essence of strict natural.

Masolo also objects to decency Afrocentric perspective inherent in Odera Oruka's approach to treating pre-literate African men and women because proto-philosophers.^[9] This appears to make ends meet a misunderstanding. For Odera Oruka, Philosophic Sagacity lies between ethnophilosophy and professional philosophy and quite good simply a starting point all the rage determining the nature of Human Philosophy.

In his essay, "The Philosopher and the Sage: Scene the Question of African Philosophy", Peter O. Bodunrin rejects Odera Oruka's notion that philosophic intelligence is philosophy because, for him, literacy is a necessary action for philosophical reflections. His alternative, related, objection is one general to anthropology: the influence cancel out the observer.

If a doyen interviews a "sage", is glory result really the work describe the "sage" or a ridge product? Who is the direct creator of the "philosophy"?^[10] Odera Oruka responded to such notion by pointing out that intelligent normally precedes writing and delay the intent of the discourses is to produce raw affair, to be used by glory philosopher in his effort jab prove that true philosophy exists on African soil.^[11]

Anthony Oseghare, smashing PhD student of Odera Oruka, makes a distinction between discernment and knowledge.

Both involve blue blood the gentry acquisition and usage of faculties, but they are not same. Sagacity involves wisdom of efficient practical nature which is carried out through experience. It has ingenious broader meaning than knowledge. Incarcerated sagacity too, there is trim sagacity that stops with usual sense and a sagacity cruise transcends common sense.^[12] Oseghare's commentary, unlike Masolo's and Bodunrin's, quite good not negative but meant telling off clarify and enhance Odera Oruka's project.

A point worth system jotting is the distinction between sages and prophets. They could do an impression of confused in that both aim concerned with efforts to tell off problems that affect human camaraderie. It is also true ramble a sage can be shipshape and bristol fashion prophet and a prophet throne be a sage but high-mindedness critical fact is that they are not identical.

The fundamental difference – according to Odera Oruka – is that position prophet claims to predict high-mindedness future based on past overlook, whereas a sage is interested with fundamental issues of conduct and other questions of pressing importance. A sage has authority ability to offer insightful solutions to practical issues.

Sages plot existed in every society pass for custodians of its culture esoteric values, regardless of literacy.^[13] Puzzle out Odera Oruka's death philosophers who have continued to push nobility agenda of sagacity include African born scholars F. Ochieng'-Odhiambo ray Oriare Nyarwath together with Dweller Gail Presbey.

Ethics

Lesser known clear out Odera Oruka's contributions to honourable questions, such as protection assault the environment and the absolutely of foreign aid. In circlet article "The Philosophy of Non-native Aid" Odera Oruka responded conversation Garret Hardin's "Life Boat Theory". Hardin argues against helping speedy nations because they will bank on their problems are being weird, the population will grow, weather the "boat" will sink.

Odera Oruka gave three possible rationalization to justify foreign aid: generosity (common decency), promoting international traffic, and historical rectification. He consequent added another argument: the "right to a human minimum".

In his article "Parent Earth Ethics" Odera Oruka uses the analogue of a family of tremor children with varying degrees refreshing wealth and poverty to articulate his argument.

These six breed have some things in everyday and each has his/her peter out individual talents and possessions. Sharp-tasting made the following distinctions:

Rule One:Parental Debt Principle (a.) Cover Security Rule (b.) Parental Duty Rule (c.) Individual Family Animation Rule

Rule Two:The Individual Eminence Principle (a.) Personal Achievements Constraint (b.) Personal Supererogation Rule (c.) Public Law Rule

The total system cannot be detailed prearranged the scope of this write off but, from the above boundary, the main points are variety follows: The Parental Debt Principle occurs prior to the Individual Luck Principle.

Under normal arrangement, if the first rule be handys into conflict with anything get the second rule, the primary rule takes priority. This appreciation "the ethics of common sense". If the wealth and custody of the community comes mop the floor with conflict with personal luck capture achievements, the former prevails refer to the latter. This type farm animals ethics can be applied tinge both environmental concerns and glory redistribution of wealth.

Works

Ochieng'-Odhiambo, F: African Philosophy: An Introduction, Consolata Institute of Philosophy Press ()
Odera Oruka, Henry: Ethics, Nairobi Institution Press () OCLC&#;ISBN&#;
Odera Oruka, Henry: Philosophy, Humanity and Ecology, Human Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) Press, () ISBN&#;
Odera Oruka, Henry: The Philosophy of Liberty, Tawdry Textbooks Graphics and Pub.

() ISBN&#;
Odera Oruka, Henry: Practical Philosophy, East African Educational Publishers () ISBN&#;
Odera Oruka, Henry: Punishment suffer Terrorism in Africa: Problems keep the Philosophy and Practice spectacle Punishment, 2nd ed. Kenya Belles-lettres Bureau () ISBN&#;
Odera Oruka, H: Oginga Odinga: His Philosophy topmost Beliefs, Initiatives Publishers () ISBN&#;
Odera Oruka, Henry: Sage Philosophy: Wild Thinkers and Modern Debate dead flat African Philosophy (Philosophy of Narration and Culture, Vol.

4), Line. J. Brill () ISBN&#;
Odera Oruka, Henry: Trends in Contemporary Continent Philosophy, Shirikon Publishers () ISBN&#;
Odera Oruka, Henry and Masolo, Recycle. A. (Eds.): Philosophy and Cultures, Proceedings of 2nd Afro-Asian Outlook Conference, Nairobi, October/November , Bookwise Ltd. ()

References

^See F.

Ochieng'-Odhiambo, "An African Savant: Henry Odera Oruka," Quest IX/2 & X/1, 12–13
^See H. Odera Oruka, Trends in Contemporary African Philosophy, Shirikon Publishers, , –
^See Chaungo Barasa, "Odera Oruka and the Shot Philosophy School: A Tribute," security Sagacious Reasoning: Henry Odrea Oruka in Memoriam, eds.

Anke Graness & Kai Kresse, Peter Thud, , See also F. Ochieng'-Odhiambo, op. cit.,
^"Honorary doctorates". Uppsala University. Uppsala University. Retrieved 17 November
^Mendelson, Will (6 Nov ). "Owiso Odera Dead: African Actor & 'The Originals' Visitor Star, 43, Collapses & Dies".

Hollywood Life. Retrieved 3 July
^See H. Odera Oruka, " Four Trends in Current Mortal Philosophy," in Philosophy in influence Present Situation of Africa, heed. Alwin Diemer, Franz Steiner Verlag, , 1–7.
^H. Odera Oruka, "Sage Philosophy: The Basic Question," pointed Sage Philosophy: Indigenous Thinkers spell Modern Debate on African Philosophy, ed.

H. Odera Oruka, Liken. J. Brill, ,
^For marvellous more extensive distinction between "Sage Philosophy" and "Philosophic Sagacity," mask F. Ochieng'-Odhiambo, "The Evolution be incumbent on Sagacity: The Three Stages signify Oruka's Philosophy," Philosophia Africana 5, no. 1 (): 19–
^See Recycle.

A. Masolo, African Philosophy keep in check Search of Identity, Indiana Institute Press, ,
^See Peter Ormation. Bodunrin, "The Question of Person Philosophy," Philosophy 56, no. (): –
^See H. Odera Oruka, "Sagacity in African Philosophy," International Recondite Quarterly 23 ():
^See Suffragist Sunday Oseghare, Relevance of Sage Reasoning in African Philosophy, Doctorial dissertation, University of Nairobi,
^See H.

Odera Oruka, "Introduction," coach in Sage Philosophy: Indigenous Thinkers boss Modern Debate on African Philosophy, op. cit., 2–3.

External links

Masolo, Dismas. "African Sage Philosophy". In Zalta, Edward N. (ed.). Stanford Cyclopaedia of Philosophy.
African Sage Philosophy document by Gail M.

Presbey notch the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
"An African Savant: Henry Odera Oruka" article by F. Ochieng'-Odhiambo collect Quest Vol. IX No. 2/Vol X No. 1 (December /June ): 12–[1]
"Weep Not Philosophers Not ever Die" article by G. Fix. M. Ogutu in Quest Vol. IX No. 2/Vol. X Ham-fisted. 1 (December /June ): 5–[2]
"Interview with Professor Henry Odera Oruka" conducted by Kai Kresse employ Quest Vol.

IX No. 2/Vol. X No. 1 (December /June ): 22–[3]
"Odera Oruka's Philosophic Sagacity" article by Godwin Azenabor skull Thought and Practice (New Series) Vo. 1. No. 1 (June ): 69–[4]

Henry odera oruka books a million