Book promotion event: 'Afrikaanse filosofie' & 'African Philosophy and the Politics of Food Systems'

As part as the ASCL's African Philosophy Month, on 13 November we will have a book promotion, featuring Afrikaanse filosofie and African Philosophy and the Politics of Food Systems. The authors will present their work, and the audience will be able to interact. There will also be an African Library tour by the organizers, followed by drinks.

Information about the books:

1. Afrikaanse filosofie (expected publication: December 2025 by Uitgeverij Noordhoek, language: Dutch)

The history of African philosophy dates back to the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Nubia. There, a rich and multifaceted philosophical tradition emerged, long neglected in the West but with much to offer. Philosophers Pius Mosima (Cameroon) and Henk Haenen (Netherlands) describe African ways of thinking and demonstrate why the West, in particular, needs to be aware of them. The book not only discusses African reasoning in the fields of politics, ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics, but also provides insight into a variety of valuable African ways of life. African philosophy invites us to think differently about, among other things, emancipation, social cohesion, democracy, wisdom, mental health, and the art of living.

Authors: Pius Mosima and Henk Haenen.

Pius Mosima studied philosophy and political science in Cameroon and received his PhD from Tilburg University. He is a professor at several universities in the Netherlands and publishes academic articles on African philosophy.

Henk Haenen studied history and philosophy at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and worked in secondary education for over forty years. He has published a number of books and articles that present African philosophy from different angles.

2. African Philosophy and the Politics of Food Systems (expected publication: October 2025 by Springer - The International Library of Environmental, Agricultural and Food Ethics)

It is widely recognized that profound food systems transformation is needed to comply with the human right to food in an environmentally sustainable and socially just manner. While there seems to be general consensus that questions on food systems transformation are particularly urgent in the context of Africa, it is also recognized that food systems transformation processes are highly political due to competing views and interests about food systems and the desired direction of change. Despite Africa’s rich history of distinct culture and philosophical thought, it continues to suffer from historical, social and political forms of domination by primarily – though not only – the West, including the imposition of a Eurocentric and market-driven food system. Therefore, this book argues that food systems need to be questioned on ethical and epistemic grounds. By placing African philosophy – such as ubu-ntu, Shona, Akan, and Annang – at the basis of debates on food systems, the current volume aims to contribute to liberatory struggles against colonial legacies and ongoing injustices in food systems. As a way to move towards justice against epistemicide, the book explicitly includes contributions by African scholars regarding food systems. It also provides for the dimensions of dialogue and collaboration by including scholars with a geographic origin outside of Africa. Moreover, by combining African philosophy with agricultural and social sciences the volume reflects a plurality of epistemologies. In addition to presenting critical perspectives on the ethical and epistemic complexities of food systems, the book also provides a more practical focus by including success stories of alternative food systems that are underpinned by African ways of thinking and doing. As an edited volume with 12 chapters, the book recognises and pays homage to the large diversity in agricultural practices and food systems on the African continent.

Editors: Birgit Boogaard, Mogobe Ramose, Sally Diop, Yeshewas Ebabu Worku, and David Ludwig.

The event will be held in person and online.