Kwame Gyekye lived from 10 November 1939 to 13 April 2019 and was a Ghanaian philosopher and an important figure in the development of modern African philosophy, an emeritus professor of philosophy at the University of Ghana and a visiting professor of philosophy and African-American studies at Temple University. He is known for theorizing the concept of personhood on the basis of the Akan cultural paradigm in debate with Kwasi Wiredu, seen as one of the defining moments of modern African philosophy, and for his presentation and defense of moderate communitarianism, a political theory rooted in the principles of the common good and dignity.
Facts
Birth YearSourced to the subject's own account Defining MomentSourced to the subject's own accountHis debate with Kwasi Wiredu over the basis of personhood in Akan thought is seen as one of the defining moments of modern African philosophy 1 Birth DateSourced to the subject's own account Notable PublicationSourced to the subject's own accountTradition and Modernity: Philosophical Reflections on the African Experience 1 Office HeldSourced to the subject's own accountProfessor of Philosophy and Department Chairman, University of Ghana 1 Death YearSourced to the subject's own account Death DateSourced to the subject's own account BirthplaceSourced to the subject's own accountAhanta, Gold Coast (present-day western Ghana) 1 TraditionSourced to the subject's own accountModerate communitarianism, rooted in Akan personhood theory 1 Classification
NationalitySourced to the subject's own account Connections
In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Kwame Gyekye (Wikipedia)
Wikipedialead section, opening sentence
Kwame Gyekye (10 November 1939-13 April 2019) was a Ghanaian philosopher, and an important figure in the development of modern African philosophy.
Biography, Early life section
In 1939, Kwame Gyekye was born in Ahanta, located in the western region of Ghana, then known as the Gold Coast.
lead section, communitarianism sentence
Notable is his presentation and defense of moderate communitarianism (or MC), which can be understood as a political theory rooted in principles of common good and dignity.
Moderate communitarianism section
In Tradition and Modernity: Philosophical Reflections on the African Experience Gyekye meditates on this perspective with worry that it harms individuals in society by denying self-actualization and personal expression.
lead section, personhood debate sentence
He is known for theorizing the concept of person-hood on the basis of Akan cultural paradigm in debate with Kwasi Wiredu, which is seen as one of the defining moments of modern African philosophy.
Education and scholarship section
He taught as a professor of philosophy for over 40 years at the University of Ghana, and eventually served as chairman of the department.
Lead section, nationality sentence
Kwame Gyekye (10 November 1939-13 April 2019) was a Ghanaian philosopher, and an important figure in the development of modern African philosophy.
Influenced By: Kwasi Wiredu, Kwasi Wiredu and Gyekye section
He is known for theorizing the concept of person-hood on the basis of Akan cultural paradigm in debate with Kwasi Wiredu
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