AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY JOUNAL OF ARTS

The topic of this paper is on the challenges in defining African philosophy. African philosophy is a field of study that seeks to explore the intellectual traditions and cultural heritage of Africa, African philosophy faces numerous challenges in its quest for definition and articulation. This paper examines the key obstacles that have hindered the development of a cohesive and universally accepted African philosophy. The paper delves into the issues of cultural diversity, linguistic barriers, colonial legacy, and the tension between traditional discourse and modernity. Additionally, it also explores the debate surrounding the role of oral traditions, the impact of Eurocentrism, and the quest for a distinctive African epistemology. This paper shall employ the use of expository and critical methods in discussing the challenges in defining African philosophy by also presenting the trends of African philosophy. We aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in defining African philosophy and pave the way for a more inclusive and nuanced discourse.

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