CFP: SPECIAL ISSUE - New Perspectives in African Philosophy - Journal of Comparative Literature and Aesthetics

CALL FOR PAPERS

Journal of Comparative Literature and Aesthetics

Special Issue: New Perspectives in African Philosophy 

Guest Editor: Adoulou N. Bitang (Tel Aviv University, Israel)  

For over three decades, from the middle of the 20th century onward, reflection about African philosophy revolved around the question of its existence or non-existence (following that of the capacity of Africans and Blacks to philosophize), or the other question of its nature (i.e., its characteristics, especially in relation to European philosophy). To a certain extent, African philosophy is still concerned with these questions today. 

For the most part, this treatment of African philosophy has a colonial background and bears a colonial flavor. As Marcien Towa noted, the question of whether African philosophy exists, which is another way of asking if Africans (especially Blacks) are capable of philosophizing, did not emerge from the inner development of African cultures and societies. Rather, this question was asked by European imperialists and colonizers in order to justify (more or less directly) their attitude toward these people, cultures and societies. Even the claim of an authentic African philosophy does not escape this context, as what would be latter labelled the “quarrel about ‘African philosophy’” originally arose from the publication of the book Bantu Philosophy (1945) by a Belgian missionary named Placide Tempels. Today, the major challenge of African philosophy seems to be that of decoloniality in order to invent, as Emmanuel Eze has argued, a “postcolonial future.” 

This special issue focuses on the new perspectives opened up by this new challenge concerning African philosophy, leaving aside the original and overly discussed questions concerning its existence or non-existence, and the other question of its nature. The aim is to shed new light on current approaches to African philosophy, specifically investigating new trends, themes and aspects. Contributions in this vein that seek to enhance the current understanding of African philosophy are welcome. Authors are encouraged to discuss a specific theme, topic, or issue, or to engage with particular aspects, opinions and views related to specific authors, with a broad academic audience in mind. 

Please email your abstracts to [email protected], with a copy to [email protected]. 

Submission Guidelines:

Submissions must be properly typed out in MS Word (Times New Roman, 12 Font), not exceeding 8,000 words and not below 4,000, complete with an abstract of 100 words alongside 4 or 5 keywords, incorporated within the essay itself.

All essays shall be peer-reviewed (refereed) and those abounding in solecisms, catachresis, or insufficiently argued shall be returned unread. “Works Cited” and “Notes” must preferably follow the MLA 8th convention without exception.

Each essay submitted must carry a declaration that it has not been published or submitted for publication elsewhere. The least suspicion of plagiarism will result in an outright rejection of the article.

The cover letter should include a brief author’s bio with no revelation of the author’s identity in the paper itself. An acknowledgement shall be sent upon receipt. A further communication shall be made only after the editor considers the paper worthy of publication.

Revisions must be returned in three weeks without further delay. Authors are implored to wait at least two months before withdrawing their article, in case no communication has been made.

Simultaneous submissions are not allowed. 

Important dates:

Submission deadline: November 31, 2022

Decision of acceptance: December 15, 2023

Submission of entire manuscripts: April 31, 2023

Publication of the issue: Summer 2023 (Vol. 46, No. 2) 

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