ABSTRACT
This chapter rejects the propensity to reduce African social and political philosophy to the status of an ideology, a single theory or individual thought of an African leader or professional philosopher. It discusses the definition of contemporary African social and political philosophy as well as its relationship to ideas of ontology and ideology. The chapter considers this philosophy as a rational search for the clarification of social and political concepts, better management of political power, and the achievement of better modes of governance. It denounced this point of view, arguing that this philosophy cannot be reduced to a subcategory of general philosophy nor to an ontological search. The chapter reviews issues such as poverty and social exclusion, power and democracy, to name but a few. It reinforces the idea that African social and political philosophy doesn't coincide with the notion of ideology as it relies on critical vigilance and a sense of freedom, whereas ideology involves blindness and authoritarianism.
