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It is interesting that similar ideas tend to pop up around the same time. Based on this, Yacob was more secular, rational and humane than European thinkers at

It is interesting that similar ideas tend to pop up around the same time. Based on this, Yacob was more secular, rational and humane than European thinkers at the same time and would feel himself most likely comfortably in the modern world. I think it is always important to know if something was worked on independently in multiple places. I believe that this demonstrates that this something was bound to happen. I would not call Amo as an African philosopher though, as he was raised and educated in Europe. Perhaps an African-European philosopher if you insist to stress on his origin. I think that he was and was perceived as much European as his other contemporaries.

wallace_f 9y ago
>It is interesting that similar ideas tend to pop up around the same time. I've heard 'enlightenment ideas' pop up in music and conversation going back to my teens. I would personally bet that similar ideas (such as 'all men are created equal,' as is highlighted in the article) had been proposed countless times in the minds of people long before any enlightenment, or even Christian, thinker. The problem is the willingness of people to tolerate such ideas. The fact that even though in 2018, with the benefit of hindsight, we can see great civilization and prosperity has been made possible by these ideas, people don't always want to believe them--and in America one does not need to look for very long at our legal system, government & politics, and social behaviors to see this. Maybe we need another enlightenment, and one more inclusive of the liberties and freedoms of all people.