1st Semester 2025/26: Decolonising Logic – Introducing African Logic

Instructors

Jonathan O Chimakonam

ECTS

6

Description

In this module, you will be introduced to the subject of African logic. African logic implicates epistemic decoloniality, where the latter means the toppling of the intellectual hegemony that legislates “the dogma of one standard and of one all-embracing prototype for civilization and culture”.¹ The “single story”² of modern scholarship in which the accepted and acceptable structure of every discipline’s methodology, theory, and principles is strictly the one woven by the West is coming under scrutiny, as other epistemologies tell their own stories. The monopoly of the Western thought system, which awards itself the unbridled right “to determine who has the power to produce, regulate, validate and disseminate knowledge”,³ is also beginning to show its first cracks, especially in the face of the decolonial agenda.  

This module will combine the consciousness to dare to tell a different story and the intellectual audacity to decolonise the structure of knowledge production in a disruptive way. As a genuine decolonial project begins with logic, this module is designed to demonstrate not only how logic may be decolonised but also the imperative for such. For over a century, numerous modern African scholars have published essays and treatises on African logic.⁴ However, this will be the first module worldwide to be specifically designed and taught on African logic. While I humbly savour the privilege of designing and teaching this subject, you will enjoy the glory of being its first students. 

Since this is the first full debut of African logic in university curricula, I welcome you not merely as students, but more importantly as co-creators in this technical journey to disrupt the field of logic. Some of you may have a background in other logics, especially the Western tradition; let this be your valuable resource rather than a blind fold, as we foray into the new field of African logic that simultaneously implicates decoloniality.

 

1: Hebga, Meinrad 1958. Logic in Africa. Philosophy Today 11:4 221-229.

2: Adichie, Chimamanda. 2009. https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=D9Ihs241zeg

3: Chimakonam, Jonathan O (2022). “Decolonising Scientific Knowledge: Morality, Politics and a New Logic”. In Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science and Technology: Bridging Across Academic Cultures (Proceedings of the Sixteenth CLMPST International Congress in Prague). Edited by Tomáš Marvan, Hanne Andersen, Hasok Chang, Benedikt Löwe, and Ivo Pezlar. Rickmansworth: College Publications, 2022, pp. 47-68.

4: See essays in the collection: Chimakonam 2020.

Organisation

Schedule

Overall, we will have three classes a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), one hour long. Nine classes in all. The first class will likely be on Wed January 7th, while the last is likely on Mon January 26th.

 

Part 1: Historical Background
History and Schools of African Logic  
African logic as a decolonial project: Some Problematics
Okwu, Language and Meaning-making

 

Part 2: Three-valued Orientation
Concepts, Principles and Laws of African Logic
The Construction of the trivalent system of thought 
African Three-valued logic: Three Contributions

 

Part 3: Propositional expression of African logic
Propositions and their analysis
Types of Inferences
Propositional Calculus and the Complementary Squares of Relations
  

Prerequisites

Interest in the topic of African thought is the only requirement.

Assessment

The project will be assessed in three ways: (1) participation (20%), (2) a presentation (30%) and (3) an essay (50%).

References

Asouzu, I. (2013). Ibuanyidanda (complementary reflection) and some basic philosophical problems in Africa today: Sense experience, “ihe mkpuchi anya” and the supermaxim, Zurich: Lit Verlag GmbH and Co. Kg Wien.

Asouzu, I. I. (2004),  The Method and Principles of Complementary Reflection in andBeyond African Philosophy.Calabar: University of Calabar.

Chimakonam, Jonathan. O. (2024). “The Calabar Schools’ Contributions to Contemporary African Philosophy”. APA Studies, Vol 23, No 2, pp30-40.

Chimakonam Jonathan O. and L U Ogbonnaya. (2021). African Metaphysics, Epistemology and a New Logic: A Decolonial Approach to Philosophy. Cham: Palgrave.

Chimakonam, Jonathan O. ed. (2020) Logic and African Philosophy: Seminal Essays in African Systems of Thought. Delaware: Vernon Press.

Chimakonam, J. O. (2019), Ezumezu Logic: A System of Logic for African Philosophy and Studies, Cham: Springer.

Ijiomah, C. (2014), Harmonious monism: A philosophical logic of explanation for ontological issues in supernaturalism in African thought, Jochrisam Publishers: Calabar.