K.C. ANYANWU'S CULTURAL RELATIVISM

Related question:

·        Discuss the relationship between philosophy and culture.

·        According to K.C. Anyanwu, philosophy and culture are related. Explain.

(YOUR INTRODUCTION)

K.C. ANYANWU’S EPISTEMOLOGICAL RELATIVISM

        The foundation of K.C. Anyanwu’s epistemology lies within the idea of relativism. Relativism is an epistemological school of thought that proposes the idea that ‘truth is relative’; in other words, what is truth for one might not be truth for another. Relativism and subjectivism are similar; aside that relativism applies more to civilizations while subjectivism applies more to individuals.

        One of the pronouncers of relativism in philosophical history is ‘Protagoras’- a sophist whom postulated his dictum ‘homo mensura’ meaning ‘man is the measure of all things’; in other words man himself is responsible for the direction of the status quo as well as the perception of everyday living.

ANYANWU’S PHILOSOPHY OF CULTURE

        The main aim of Anyanwu is to show us the characteristic nature of authentic African philosophy. His epistemological relativism is based on the philosophy of culture, as he believed that man is a cultural being. In essence, Anyanwu tries to show us ‘the basic assumptions governing the African culture’, ‘the African mode of thought’, ‘the concepts and theories by which the African people explain their experiences’, ‘the normative theories of the African cultures and how they interpret their activities’.

        Regarding the concept of culture, Anyanwu believes that culture is a product of human experience or a response to it. The link is that, experience gives birth to culture, which determines ones philosophy; and philosophy determines reality. Understanding this link helps one to comprehend the reason behind any civilization’s perception of reality;

‘Experience- Culture- Philosophy- Reality’

THE BASIC ASSUMPTIONS OF THE AFRICAN CULTURE

        Anyanwu makes it clear that, African cultural philosophy is simply African religion or belief; unlike in the west, it is not consciously reasoned knowledge that is critical. In other words, African cultural philosophy has theology as its model. Just as theology seeks to passionately support and protect the maxims of religion, so also in a similar manner, does African cultural philosophy want to promote the statutes of African culture.

        Like Tempels, Anyanwu agrees that the basic assumption governing the African culture is that ‘every existing reality is a life force, as the nature of being is force. What this implies is that every being has a metaphysical capacity to affect other beings above or beneath it.

THE AFRICAN MODE OF THOUGHT

        Anyanwu maintains that ‘the basic problem of any philosophy is epistemological’, i.e. the problem of the methodology which the mind must follow in order to arrive at a trustworthy knowledge of reality. However, the African basic assumption about reality that every being is charged with a life force presupposes that the spiritual supersedes the physical; hence, the African is left with no other option than to adopt a methodology of spirituality in the knowing process of reality.

THE AFRICAN EXPLANATION OF EXPERIENCE

        Regarding the concepts and theories by which the African explains his experiences, a reference is again made to culture. For Anyanwu, culture which is ‘the totality of knowledge, behavior, ideas and objects that constitute the common heritage of the people, is the way they investigate and interpret (explain) nature. Hence, culture is the way they respond to experience; it is the ideas and beliefs which enable human beings to live meaningful lives; it is the basis of their worldviews.

NORMS OF THE AFRICAN CULTURE

        To Anyanwu, it is impossible to know African philosophy, unless one knows, first, the African mind set i.e. the African mode of knowing, the norms of the African culture. These African norms are entailed in African religions, root culture, oral literature, traditional arts, fables, proverbs, idioms, rituals, music, dance, folklores and myths. They are the content of African cultural philosophy.

(YOUR CRITICISMS AND CONCLUSION)

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