Ebunoluwa Oduwole

The Concept of Truth in an African Language: an Exercise in Conceptual Decolonization Ebunoluwa Oduwole

This book underscores the importance of conceptual decolonization in African Philosophy. It shows that the concept of truth in Yoruba thought has epistemological and moral aspects,but that the moral is more emphasized. The book provides an analysis and criteria for identifying truth in these two areas. It is argued that the major difference between the cognitive and the moral senses of truth is the intention or motive of the speaker. Furthermore, the book examines truth in Yoruba language in relation to three traditional theories of truth. The book highlights the importance of truth in the establishment and maintenance of social and political order in contemporary Africa. It is argued that if truth is given its rightful place in social and political organization,then, the society can achieve a peaceful social order. The emphasizes here is on the moral concept of truth and its relevance to nation building. The experience of South Africa and Nigeria is specifically examined with the aim of bringing out the relevance of theory to practice in philosophy. This book will serve as an addition to the scarce literature on African Philosophy.