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Kirk Lougheed, Recent Work in African Normative Theory, Analysis, 2024;, anae090, https://doi.org/10.1093/analys/anae090
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1. Introduction
Despite growing calls for those working in Western philosophy to expand their philosophical canon, contemporary African philosophy remains largely ignored by philosophers working outside of the African continent.1 This is especially unfortunate given that the majority of African philosophy is written in English and also in a style that is intelligible and amenable to those working in the Anglo-American tradition, such that there is significant opportunity for meaningful cross-cultural philosophical engagement. The purpose of this article is to introduce readers working in the Western or Anglo-American tradition to some of the main ideas in African normative theory. This topic is an obvious choice since given the pressing social–political challenges that exist throughout much of Africa, topics in moral and political philosophy often take centre stage. Specifically, I will highlight recent work on three branches of African normative thought located in normative personhood (§2), harmonious relationships (§3) and vitality or life force (§4).
