Rethinking African science: The perspective of conversationalist philosophy

Abstract

A popular scholarly tradition suggests that mainstream science and African science are tied to an irreconcilable interest. The distinction often maintained is that African science is a footnote of African indigenous religion(s). As such, whereas mainstream science employs methodological tools typical of observation, data gathering, experimentation, etc. to explain, predict and keep the world under control, African science pursues same agenda, this time, in terms of postulates whose essence is construed as personal spiritual forces. This (theoretical) orientation associated with indigenous science is consequently accused of entertaining methodological protocols that mystify rather than demystify the nature of reality. As a result, African science is said to constitute a barrier that hinders the progress of knowledge. Rethinking African science is a proposal that seeks to challenge this tradition. Using the method of concept analysis, the thesis shows that the supposed friction often maintained between the two disciplines is of no effect. My position is such that African science represents a genuine effort that expands our understanding of the universe beyond the domain championed by mainstream scientific theorizing. The finding is such that the supposed contradiction between the two disciplines is just a manifestation of substantial diversity across different cultures. Because there is no disagreement but appreciable diversity, critics have no business setting the two disciplines up in competition with each other. So, the comparative assessments that end up misconstruing African science as backward-looking is not only unfounded but a misconceived appraisal that robs African science of the worth it deserves