A Philosophical Reflection on what negritude meant for Senghor

Abstract

This work is not meant to carry out a general study on the concept of ‘negritude’. It concentrates on Senghor’s understanding and explanation of negritude. With this we will try to establish a basic epistemological foundation for the Negro-African. From this basic ground, other truth and ingenuity about his personality can be established for the singular purpose of affirming his identity.Hence, by understanding the nature and meaning of negritude as Senghor explains, it can serve as the basis of African enquiry into the wider world in line with the epistemological theory of foundationalism which seeks for the most basic beliefs that are infallible which can serve as foundation for all other knowledge. Thus, with the truth of negritude as foundation the Negro- African can have a basic epistemological ground upon which he can rest to assert other truths about himself and in this manner could affirm his identity and meaningful contribution to the global existence so much as other races in this multi-raced world. This work will adopt three methodologies in line with the theme under discussion. It employs expository, analytic and hermeneutic approaches. First of all, the Senghor’s Negritude Movement and its ideology will be exposed. There will be an analysis of Senghor’s negritude for a better comprehension. Finally the Negritude Movement will be interpreted hermeneutically in the light of the foundation lists theory