The Enigmatic Connection between Symbols and Thought in African Philosophy: A Journey into the Realm of Meaning and Representation

Citation: Ignatius Nnaemeka Onwuatuegwu , "The Enigmatic Connection between Symbols and Thought in African Philosophy: A Journey into the Realm of Meaning and Representation", Universal Library of Languages and Literatures, Volume 01, Issue 01.

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

This inquiry investigates the complex relationship between symbols and thought in African philosophy. Drawing on philosophical and anthropological literature, it investigates the nature of meaning and representation in African cultures, and how symbols are employed to convey and shape human thought. Through a critical examination of various African cultural practices, such as storytelling, ritual, and art, this inquiry uncovers the intricate ways in which symbols are used to communicate and construct meaning. Furthermore, this investigation highlights the distinctive ways in which African cultures conceive of and utilize symbols, and how these practices challenge dominant Western philosophical assumptions about the nature of language, meaning, and representation. Ultimately, this inquiry provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between symbols and thought in African philosophy, and the broader implications of this relationship for our understanding of human cognition and communication.

Keywords: Symbols, Thought, African Philosophy, Nature of Meaning, Representation, Category of knowledge

https://doi.org/10.70315/uloap.ullli.2024.0101005