Abstract

The essays in the present volume on Popper and Africa have made essential contributions to the cross-cultural study of Western and African philosophical traditions. This is made especially interesting by the critiques of Popper’s philosophy undertaken by the different African philosophers that have contributed to this volume. These scholars interrogated Popper’s discussions of closed and open societies, piece-meal engineering, critical rationalism, knowledge production, epistemology, toleration, and nationalism in contextualisation to science in Africa, African politics and social life, especially as it concerns the problems of governance in Africa. Aside from this, one must also note the essay by Adam Chmielewski, a Polish philosopher. It is one of the most remarkable critique of the open society in Eastern Europe. Chmielewski further went on to apply this critique to Africa. His point suggests that African societies’ attempt to adopt openness is the cause of their dysfunctionality. His discussion of these topics, as well as his account of diversity and recognition are highly reflective of the issues concerning many multicultural and/or heterogeneous societies today.