Philosopher Paulin Hountondji dies in Benin at age 82
A major figure in African philosophy, Professor Paulin Hountondji died this Friday, February 2, 2024 at his home in Cotonou, his family informed. He was in his 82nd year. Beninese and African intellectuals salute his memory.
Professor Paulin Hountondji, in September 2017. © PDDSE
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With our correspondent in Cotonou,
Jean-Luc Aplogan
Paulin Hountondji enjoyed great international notoriety. He taught in Besançon and Kinshasa, and co-founded the Inter-African Philosophy Council. “
He is one of the most influential philosophers of the last fifty years
,” writes the Senegalese academic Souleymane Bachir Diagne who prefaced a book by the deceased,
Lessons in African Philosophy
.
Committed and firm in his opinions, he distinguished himself at the national conference of February 1990 by speaking one evening to say this to Marxist President Mathieu Kérékou: “
For there to be democracy, it is not enough just rights are provided for in the texts, the beneficiaries must still have the courage to take them without waiting for them to be granted them.
»
Mathieu Kérékou does not accept the lesson and gives this response to the philosopher: “
My God, forgive them, they are sinners, they do not know what they are saying. State problems are not the problems of philosophers, we ask Professor Hountondji to be patient.
»
The philosopher will still be made minister twice, after the national conference. Until his death, he maintained his freedom of thought and speech. The Beninese are proud of this influential and respected voice and expect the Republic to pay him a deserved tribute.
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Philosophers of Africa, thinkers of the world:
Paulin Hountondji, the modernity of a founding father
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