Springer Handbook of African Philosophy of Difference (Handbooks in Philosophy)

This handbook explores essential philosophical questions about the experience of difference and the other in African societies. The contributions go beyond a mere discussion of empirical manifestations. They offer a critical analysis of, among other things, the very nature and essence of difference that makes such manifestations possible. Coverage examines the philosophical basis for the African contexts of gender differences, bodily differences and disability; racial, religious, and cultural differences; xenophobia and xenophilia; and issues of the otherings of non-human beings from human beings. These insightful analyses detail the ontological, epistemological, and moral foundations of difference and alterity in African societies, both traditional and modern. Readers will gain a deeper understanding into such questions as: What value is placed on the other in African societies? What is the ethics and burden of care for those considered different in African societies? What role does language play in the othering of the other in African societies? What is the nature and challenges of the alleged White-Black difference. This exploration offers a vital contribution to the philosophy of difference. It not only shows the importance of place in such theorization. It also contributes significantly to African philosophical discourse. This handbook will interest both undergraduate, postgraduate students, and researchers in such fields as African studies/philosophy, identity, racism and alterity studies in sociology, feminism and LGBT studies. From the Back Cover This handbook explores essential philosophical questions about the experience of difference and the other in African traditional and modern societies. The contributions go beyond a simple discussion of empirical manifestations. They offer a critical analysis of, among other things, the very nature and essence of difference that makes such manifestations possible. Coverage examines the philosophical basis for the African contexts of gender differences, bodily differences and disability; racial, religious, and cultural differences; xenophobia and xenophilia; and issues of the otherings of non-human beings from human beings. This insightful analysis details the ontological, epistemological, and moral foundations of difference and alterity in African societies, both traditional and modern. Readers will gain a deeper understanding into such questions as: What value is placed on the other in African societies? What is the ethics and burden of care for those considered different in African societies? What role does language play in the othering of the other in African societies? This exploration offers an vital contribution to the philosophy of difference. It not only shows the importance of place in such theorization. It also contributes significantly to African philosophical discourse. This handbook will interest both undergraduate, postgraduate students, and researchers in such fields as African studies/philosophy, identity and alterity studies in sociology, and feminist and LGBT studies. About the Author Dr. Elvis Imafidon teaches in the Department of Philosophy, Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria. He is a 2017 Writing Fellow of the Johannesburg Institute of Advanced Study (JIAS), University of Johannesburg, South Africa. His research centers on African ontology and ethics. Dr. Elvis is concerned with the extent to which African concepts of reality affect the African idea of the good and the implications of African ontology for concepts such as corruption, otherness, disability, difference, personhood, and gender. In the past few years, he has been specifically concerned with the implications of African ontology for albinism as an other in Africa, focusing on inherent ontological, epistemological, and moral theories. This has resulted in the publication of the book titled African Philosophy and the Otherness of Albinism: White S