Tradition is often conceived of as a dead and deadening repetition of \;the past. In fact\, however\, it is rather the passing on of the \;learning from the past. This is done primarily in the family as at \;each generation the parents assess the present situation and select \;from what had been learned in the past that which promises to be life \;giving for their children. At each generation then the tradition is \;tested and adapted\; what perdures through many generations bears the \;cumulative wisdom of a people.
At some points the process of change becomes more rapid and far \;reaching\, as at a point of colonization and perhaps especially with a \;war of liberation therefrom. At that point crisis can mean not only a \;break with the past but a commitment to new values and an impetus to
new life.
Here the work of philosophy becomes especially important. It is \;needed in order to reach back to the much earlier wisdom of the \;people. But it must do this in ways that point\, not back\, but forward \;to encountering the challenges that lie ahead.
With these concerns in mind this conference will have the following \;subthemes:
For information contact:
Prof. Francis Mabiri
Department of Philosophy
University of Zimbabwe
Harare\, Zimbabwe
Conference website: