Henry Odera Oruka, born in Siaya County, Kenya in 1944 and died in Nairobi in 1995, was a Kenyan philosopher best known for developing Sage Philosophy, a research project begun in the 1970s to preserve the thought of indigenous sages in traditional African communities and to distinguish genuine philosophic reflection from ordinary folk wisdom. He taught philosophy at the University of Nairobi from 1970 until his death, founded its Department of Philosophy after separating it from Religious Studies in 1980, and served as its first chairman, alongside leadership roles in international philosophical organizations.
Facts
Defining MomentLed the separation of Philosophy from Religion at the University of Nairobi in July 1980 and became Founder-Chairman of the new Department of Philosophy 1 Notable PublicationPunishment and Terrorism in Africa (1976) 1 Office HeldFounder-Chairman, Department of Philosophy, University of Nairobi (from 1980) 1 BirthplaceMasiro-Nyang'ungu, Ugenya, Siaya County, Kenya 1 TraditionSage Philosophy (Philosophic Sagacity) 1 Connections
Traditions Founded
Odera Oruka started the Sage Philosophy research project in the 1970s.
Additional Source Henry Odera Oruka (Wikipedia)Henry Odera Oruka, Wikipedia, lead section
In the Other Atlases
- Also in Geography Atlas: Kenya, originated there.
Sources
1. Henry Odera Oruka (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLife and work section
Henry Odera Oruka was born on 1 June 1944 in Masiro-Nyang'ungu, Ugenya, Siaya County.
lead section, opening sentence
Henry Odera Oruka (1 June 1944, in Siaya County, 9 December 1995, in Nairobi) was a Kenyan philosopher who is best known for "Sage Philosophy". It was a project started in the 1970's in an attempt to preserve the knowledge of the indigenous thinkers in traditional African communities.
Life and work section, dissertation-to-book sentence
His dissertation on the theme of "Freedom" (written in 1970) was later refined and published as Punishment and Terrorism in Africa in 1976.
Life and work section, department founding sentence
After years of a sustained and bitter struggle spearheaded by Odera Oruka, Philosophy was separated from Religion at the university in July 1980 and he was appointed the Founder-Chairman of the new Department of Philosophy.
Traditions Founded: Sage Philosophy, Henry Odera Oruka, Wikipedia, lead section
Henry Odera Oruka ... was a Kenyan philosopher who is best known for "Sage Philosophy". It was a project started in the 1970's...
View the Source Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the University of Nairobi separate philosophy from religious studies in 1980?
The change did not come easily. Oruka spearheaded a sustained and bitter struggle to separate the two subjects, and when the Department of Philosophy was established at the University of Nairobi in July 1980, he became its founding chairman.
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