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ABSTRACT

The present work is an attempt to systematically articulate briefly an African philosophy of history. The work draws from African metaphysics and epistemology to explore the principles that undergird historical development in the African life-world and the African’s historical consciousness or apprehension. Here, the phenomenon of vital force, its strengthening and diminution vis-à-vis historical changes and historical apprehension via African epistemic scheme are curated. The African sense of time and eschatology are equally explored. Furthermore, contrary to the view that the historian is not to be burdened with the ethical concerns of history, given the pervasive and chronic corruption bedeviling most African nations and considering the exigency of arresting the glaring decadence in public morality, the paper deems it expedient that African philosophy of history pragmatically incorporates an ethical dimension. A meaningful and critical engagement with the above key tripartite considerations vis-a-vis the African historical experience could serve to provide a framework for systematic articulation of an African philosophy of history, the paper submits.