THE NEXUS BETWEEN WESTERN AND AFRICAN INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS: FEYERABENDIAN PERSPECTIVE

Autori

  • Obasi Samuel Ugochukwu Philosophy Unit, Directorate of General Studies, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
  • Agama Christian Sunday Philosophy Unit, Directorate of General Studies, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
  • Isife Liberatus Ebelechukwu Department of Philosophy, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu State, Nigeria
  • Ogbunkwu Anacletus Department of Philosophy, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejsss.v12i5.2301

Parole chiave:

epistemic hegemony, knowledge systems, epistemological pluralism, methodological anarchism, symbiotic dialogue

Abstract

This explores the core problem of epistemic hegemony and marginalization levelled against African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS) by the westerners which sees their knowledge as superior, reducing African Knowledge systems as empty. This undue dominance over African indigenous knowledge systems (WKS), which is rooted in colonialism and perpetuated by globalization, has unjustly stifled the importance of African Indigenous Knowledge Systems. This epistemic inequality greatly devalues African knowledge, leading to cultural erosion, unsustainable development, and unbalanced scientific monoculture. Anchoring strongly on Paul Feyerabend’s critique of scientific authoritarianism, this paper advocates for epistemological pluralism to legitimize African indigenous knowledge systems as complementary to Western paradigms. Through content analysis, it examines the complex relationship between Western knowledge systems and African Indigenous Knowledge Systems through the lens of Paul Feyerabend’s epistemological pluralism to strike a balance. Feyerabend’s critique of scientific monopolies and advocacy for methodological anarchism ("anything goes") provides a valid framework which challenges the hegemony of Western epistemologies while validating the legitimacy of AIKS. By analyzing historical and contemporary tensions, the paper argues for a symbiotic dialogue between these systems, emphasizing their important and complementary roles in addressing global challenges such as environmental sustainability and public health. It recommends that epistemic diversity, rather than hierarchy, should be encouraged, as it fosters innovation and equity in knowledge production.

Biografie autore

  • Obasi Samuel Ugochukwu, Philosophy Unit, Directorate of General Studies, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

    Obasi Samuel Ugochukwu is a Lecturer 11 in Philosophy unit in the Directorate of General Studies, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. He has a B.Phil in Philosophy, BA in Philosophy, BA in Theology, Masters in Education, PhD in Philosophy, PhD in Peace and Security Studies. His research interest is in the area of Philosophy of Science, Ethics, Logic, and Western Philosophy. He initiated the idea and wrote the introduction, knowledge systems, western knowledge systems, African indigenous knowledge systems, and marginalization of African indigenous knowledge systems under colonialism. The following are the links to his academic networks:

    Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=El2kt6oAAAAJ&hl=en

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5510-3945

  • Agama Christian Sunday, Philosophy Unit, Directorate of General Studies, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

    Agama Christian Sunday is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy Unit in the Directorate of General Studies, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. He has B.A, MA, PGDE and PhD. His area of interest is in Social and Socio-Political philosophy, African Philosophy, and Epistemology. He wrote Western Knowledge System V.S African Indigenous Knowledge System, and The Nexus in Practice Integration African Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Western Science. The links to his academic networks are:

    Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=GGxrk7EAAAAJ

    Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christian-Agama?ev=hdr_xprf

    Orcid: https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0009-0005-8542-7189

  • Isife Liberatus Ebelechukwu, Department of Philosophy, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu State, Nigeria

    Isife Liberatus Ebelechukwu is a Senior Lecturer at Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwuomu Nike, Enugu. He holds BA in philosophy, BA in Theology, PGDE, MA in philosophy, PhD in African philosophy, PhD in Metaethics, and OSD Zertifikat. His research interests are in: Metaethics, African philosophy, Pedagogy, and Analytic Philosophy. He wrote Challenges to Epistemic Pluralism. The links to his academic network are:

    Research Gate: https://share.google/VbgxG5zgqkyzBSIc8

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6030-3999

  • Ogbunkwu Anacletus, Department of Philosophy, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

    Ogbunkwu Anacletus is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu. He has HND in Mass Communication, B.Phil in Philosophy, B.A in Phylosophy, B.Th in Thology, PGDE, MA in Logic and Moral Phylophopy, PhD in Logic (philosophy). His research interests are in Logic, African Philosophy, and History of Philosophy. He wrote Opportunities for symboiosis between Western and African indigenous knowledge system, and conclusion. The link to his academic network is:

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3039-4444

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Pubblicato

2026-08-23

Fascicolo

V. 12 N. 5 (2026)

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Articles