Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis
Alex Egodotaye Asakitikpi
orcid.org/0000-0002-9395-0544
; Monash University South Africa, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, 144 Peter Road Ruimsig, ZA–1725 Johannesburg
Full text: english pdf 400 Kb
page 91-104
downloads: 856
cite
APA 6th Edition
Asakitikpi, A.E. (2018). Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis. Synthesis philosophica, 33 (1), 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
MLA 8th Edition
Asakitikpi, Alex Egodotaye. "Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis." Synthesis philosophica, vol. 33, no. 1, 2018, pp. 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Chicago 17th Edition
Asakitikpi, Alex Egodotaye. "Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis." Synthesis philosophica 33, no. 1 (2018): 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
Harvard
Asakitikpi, A.E. (2018). 'Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis', Synthesis philosophica, 33(1), pp. 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
Vancouver
Asakitikpi AE. Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis. Synthesis philosophica [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2024 December 21];33(1):91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
IEEE
A.E. Asakitikpi, "Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis", Synthesis philosophica, vol.33, no. 1, pp. 91-104, 2018. [Online]. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
Full text: croatian pdf 400 Kb
page 91-104
downloads: 394
cite
APA 6th Edition
Asakitikpi, A.E. (2018). Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis. Synthesis philosophica, 33 (1), 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
MLA 8th Edition
Asakitikpi, Alex Egodotaye. "Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis." Synthesis philosophica, vol. 33, no. 1, 2018, pp. 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Chicago 17th Edition
Asakitikpi, Alex Egodotaye. "Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis." Synthesis philosophica 33, no. 1 (2018): 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
Harvard
Asakitikpi, A.E. (2018). 'Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis', Synthesis philosophica, 33(1), pp. 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
Vancouver
Asakitikpi AE. Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis. Synthesis philosophica [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2024 December 21];33(1):91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
IEEE
A.E. Asakitikpi, "Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis", Synthesis philosophica, vol.33, no. 1, pp. 91-104, 2018. [Online]. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
Full text: french pdf 400 Kb
page 91-104
downloads: 375
cite
APA 6th Edition
Asakitikpi, A.E. (2018). Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis. Synthesis philosophica, 33 (1), 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
MLA 8th Edition
Asakitikpi, Alex Egodotaye. "Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis." Synthesis philosophica, vol. 33, no. 1, 2018, pp. 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Chicago 17th Edition
Asakitikpi, Alex Egodotaye. "Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis." Synthesis philosophica 33, no. 1 (2018): 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
Harvard
Asakitikpi, A.E. (2018). 'Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis', Synthesis philosophica, 33(1), pp. 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
Vancouver
Asakitikpi AE. Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis. Synthesis philosophica [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2024 December 21];33(1):91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
IEEE
A.E. Asakitikpi, "Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis", Synthesis philosophica, vol.33, no. 1, pp. 91-104, 2018. [Online]. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
Full text: german pdf 400 Kb
page 91-104
downloads: 356
cite
APA 6th Edition
Asakitikpi, A.E. (2018). Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis. Synthesis philosophica, 33 (1), 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
MLA 8th Edition
Asakitikpi, Alex Egodotaye. "Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis." Synthesis philosophica, vol. 33, no. 1, 2018, pp. 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Chicago 17th Edition
Asakitikpi, Alex Egodotaye. "Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis." Synthesis philosophica 33, no. 1 (2018): 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
Harvard
Asakitikpi, A.E. (2018). 'Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis', Synthesis philosophica, 33(1), pp. 91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
Vancouver
Asakitikpi AE. Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis. Synthesis philosophica [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2024 December 21];33(1):91-104. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
IEEE
A.E. Asakitikpi, "Western versus African Medical Knowledge Systems. A Comparative Epistemological Analysis", Synthesis philosophica, vol.33, no. 1, pp. 91-104, 2018. [Online]. https://doi.org/10.21464/sp33106
Abstract
The epistemic foundation of reality, especially Western-¬derived knowledge, is often portrayed as universal and, therefore, as a given, while other forms that do not subscribe to the logic of Western paradigm are challenged and summarily dismissed as inferior to Western form and unworthy of any scientific investigation. The rhetoric of Western versus non¬Western knowledge (especially those of African tradition), seems to be characterised in patronising ways that suggest a knowledge form that is inferior to mainstream knowledge system of Western rationality. This rhetoric and ideological orientation are deeply entrenched in academic discourses regarding knowledge production and utility. For the most part, they have become entrenched in Western education and have remained dominant for centuries. The underlying assumptions of the discourse, however, remain unsubstantiated primarily because they are grounded in a scientific tradition that is antagonistic towards other forms of knowledge systems. We argue in this paper that the real difference between Western and African medical knowledge systems is not so much the outcome of the knowledge derived, but in the epistemic foundations that give rise to these knowledge systems. We contend that all forms of knowledge are contingent on specific contexts, and the evaluative criteria designed to measure their universal truth do not serve any useful function except to propagate a false hegemonic narrative for the sole purpose of domination and exploitation. We conclude by advocating for the expansion of mainstream medical knowledge by researching other forms of epistemology without prejudice.
Keywords
African medicine; African medical knowledge; African healing; knowledge production;
Western medical knowledge
Hrčak ID:
219843
URI
https://hrcak.srce.hr/219843
Publication date:
6.11.2018.
Article data in other languages:
croatian
french
german
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