- Collection:
- Atlanta University and Clark Atlanta University Theses and Dissertations
- Title:
- Theoretical Agency and Legitimacy of African Philosophies Through Social Contract Theory
- Creator:
- Wilson, Michelle, Clark Atlanta University
- Date of Original:
- 2022-12
- Subject:
- Degrees, Academic
Dissertations, Academic - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
- Medium:
- born digital
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- This study explores the aspects of Akan culture prior to the popularized beginnings of contract theory in the Western philosophies. It examines for evidence of a covenant between the people, government, and African philosophical traditions for core elements of social contract theory conveyed through cultural elements. This paper draws upon existing literature that critiques Eurocentric scholars who frame African societies as incapable of creating philosophical traditions without Western influence. Using the combined tools of grounded theory and hermeneutics, the analysis critically examines three social contract theorists' Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau identifying commonalities and their applicability in African societies. Through a parallel analysis of the development of Western and African philosophy, the paper then begins to pinpoint specific examples in African societies of social contract theory. These outcomes produce evidence that core elements of social contract theory in African societies exist, legitimizing the existence of African philosophy.
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:2022_wilson_michelle
- Rights Holder:
- Clark Atlanta University
- Additional Rights Information:
- http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
- Original Collection:
- Atlanta University and Clark Atlanta University Theses and Dissertations
- Holding Institution:
- Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library
- Rights:
-
