2004
Volume 45 Number 4
  • ISSN: 0167-2444
  • E-ISSN: 2949-8651

Abstract

Abstract

This essay continues a longstanding dialogue between Mogobe Ramose and the author on , an African concept of humanity. It discusses two political-philosophical theses which the author has previously filed against Ramose, and to which Ramose has replied. (1) Some founders of liberal political philosophy are guilty of philosophical racism, but as a consequence of the distinction between and this does not fatally infect liberal theory as such. Political liberalism has since purged itself of the prejudices of its spiritual forefathers. Liberal human rights exclude racism as a matter of principle. (2) is an , and therefore unsuitable as a decisive constitutional standard for the application of state force. The constitutional model of political liberalism presents a reasonable alternative, since it is designed precisely to solve the problem of social plurality and ideological conflict. In support of his thesis that Africans and Westerners are equally rational, Ramose stipulates extensive definitions of and that include practical wisdom, myth and magic. However, this extension is counter-productive.

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