Abstract
The background to the present discussion is the prevalence of political
and personal criticisms in philosophical discussions about Africa. As
philosophers in South Africa – both white and black – continue to philosophize
seriously about Africa, responses to their work sometimes take the form of
political and personal criticisms of, if not attacks on, the philosopher exploring
and defending considerations about the African continent. Both of us have been
the targets of such critiques in light of our work. Our aim in this conversation is
not to diminish or deflect such critiques. On the contrary, our aim is to
understand them, to make them as strong as possible, and to bring them into the
cooler realm of philosophical discussion.