Dr Francis Owakah | University of Nairobi, Kenya (original) (raw)
Dr Francis Owakah is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Nairobi where he teaches: Philosophy specializing in Moral Theory
Address: Nairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya
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University of the Basque Country, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique / French National Centre for Scientific Research
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Papers by Dr Francis Owakah
Thought and Practice: A Journal of the Philosophical Association of Kenya, 2009
In this paper, we argue that the future of development in Africa lies in the shift from democracy... more In this paper, we argue that the future of development in Africa lies in the shift from democracy in the conventional sense to technocracy, where the role of the expert is recognized and appreciated. We set out by presenting conceptualizations of democracy and technocracy. Thereafter, we highlight the challenge posed by the demands of the information society to traditional concepts of democracy.
Odera Oruka in the 21st Century, 2018
2nd Annual Nairobi International Multidisciplinary, Oct 18, 2019
Thought and Practice, 2012
Philosophy in Africa has come a long way. From the 18 th and 19 th centuries when it was totally ... more Philosophy in Africa has come a long way. From the 18 th and 19 th centuries when it was totally ignored or denied altogether, to when it was given a lower status by ethnophilosophers. Today we talk proudly of an African philosophy. What is often forgotten is its history and the players behind its historical moments. This paper tells the story of how racial ideology had defined the course of philosophy in Africa. We are particularly concerned with telling the story of Henry Odera Oruka, and how he contributed to raising the status of philosophy in Africa.
Third Annual International Multi-Disciplinary Conference: Global and Local Response to Emerging Issues in the Third Decade of the Millennium: Opportunities and Threats, Oct 14, 2020
This work set out to understand and explain the challenges that face the development of philosoph... more This work set out to understand and explain the challenges that face the development of philosophy in Africa. In particular, the focus is on the crisis and dilemma on African identity which has impacted adversely to the development of a culture of philosophy in Africa. Our problem is that, attempts at creating a culture of philosophy in Africa is predicated on an understanding of who is African, and what is Africa. But it is at this definitional level that we find an ambiguity of usage and application of concepts that are fundamental to defining Africa and philosophy. Compounding the problem is an equally ambivalent perspective and meaning of African culture which is conceived and made reference to in unitary yet there is multiplicity of cultures warranting the term African cultures. The latter makes it even difficult and problematic to define a unitary philosophy based on this singular view of Africa, not because all Africans shared a common ecology, nor a common historical experie...
Thought and Practice: A Journal of the Philosophical Association of Kenya, 2011
Thought and Practice: A Journal of the Philosophical Association of Kenya, 2009
In this paper, we argue that the future of development in Africa lies in the shift from democracy... more In this paper, we argue that the future of development in Africa lies in the shift from democracy in the conventional sense to technocracy, where the role of the expert is recognized and appreciated. We set out by presenting conceptualizations of democracy and technocracy. Thereafter, we highlight the challenge posed by the demands of the information society to traditional concepts of democracy.
Odera Oruka in the 21st Century, 2018
2nd Annual Nairobi International Multidisciplinary, Oct 18, 2019
Thought and Practice, 2012
Philosophy in Africa has come a long way. From the 18 th and 19 th centuries when it was totally ... more Philosophy in Africa has come a long way. From the 18 th and 19 th centuries when it was totally ignored or denied altogether, to when it was given a lower status by ethnophilosophers. Today we talk proudly of an African philosophy. What is often forgotten is its history and the players behind its historical moments. This paper tells the story of how racial ideology had defined the course of philosophy in Africa. We are particularly concerned with telling the story of Henry Odera Oruka, and how he contributed to raising the status of philosophy in Africa.
Third Annual International Multi-Disciplinary Conference: Global and Local Response to Emerging Issues in the Third Decade of the Millennium: Opportunities and Threats, Oct 14, 2020
This work set out to understand and explain the challenges that face the development of philosoph... more This work set out to understand and explain the challenges that face the development of philosophy in Africa. In particular, the focus is on the crisis and dilemma on African identity which has impacted adversely to the development of a culture of philosophy in Africa. Our problem is that, attempts at creating a culture of philosophy in Africa is predicated on an understanding of who is African, and what is Africa. But it is at this definitional level that we find an ambiguity of usage and application of concepts that are fundamental to defining Africa and philosophy. Compounding the problem is an equally ambivalent perspective and meaning of African culture which is conceived and made reference to in unitary yet there is multiplicity of cultures warranting the term African cultures. The latter makes it even difficult and problematic to define a unitary philosophy based on this singular view of Africa, not because all Africans shared a common ecology, nor a common historical experie...
Thought and Practice: A Journal of the Philosophical Association of Kenya, 2011