An Analysis of Kwame Gyekye’s Conception of ‘Sunsum’ in Akan Philosophy
Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department for the Study of Religions, University of
Ghana
Abstract
The concept of sunsum has been a subject of disagreement
among Akan philosophers. Gyekye criticizes the views of Akan writers
such as Kofi Busia, Joseph Danquah and Kwasi Wiredu despite
his acceptance of their position that sunsum is the basis of an individual’s
personality. This paper examines Gyekye’s critique of these
authors (especially Busia) and shows how Gyekye’s arguments are
not only sometimes inaccurate, but also how they do generate a major
problem of attribution that hampers a good understanding of his
thesis.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Sunsum, personality, personal identity, genetic influence, human behaviour