Rene Descartes’s famous dictum, “I think, therefore I am,” lies at the foundation of much of Western civilization. It puts reason as the highest value in society. Africa lives by a different philosophy. It’s called ubuntu and goes something like this: “You are, therefore I am.” Or: “I exist to the extent that others acknowledge and respect me.” In Africa compassion rules, not reason. Africans are known for their ukwenana, which means that you give or share something without expecting anything in return. Along the same lines is ukusisa, a type of investment in which wealthy people sacrifice something for those less fortunate. Ubuntu teaches the art of being human. And you don’t have to be African to put this into practice.
You are, therefore I am
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