Yorùbá Metaphysics and Yorùbá Epistemology in Sophie Bọsẹdé Olúwọlé (1935–2018)

We are pleased to announce a new entry in the Encyclopedia of Concise Concepts by Women Philosophers (ECC): “Yorùbá Metaphysics and Yorùbá Epistemology in Sophie Bọsẹdé Olúwọlé (1935–2018)” by Björn Freter (Towson University, Baltimore, MD, USA).

In his article, Freter explores Sophie Bọsẹdé Olúwọlé’s approach to philosophy, which transcends the traditional Western separation of metaphysics and epistemology. He outlines two central axioms that form the foundation of Olúwọlé’s Yorùbá onto-epistemology, addressing the limits of human knowledge and the role of the gods in bridging epistemic gaps.

For a deeper insight into Olúwọlé’s philosophical contributions, we invite you to read the full article in our ECC. Read the new entry: Yorùbá Metaphysics and Yorùbá Epistemology in Sophie Bọsẹdé Olúwọlé

About the Author: Björn Freter

Björn Freter’s research focuses on political philosophy, African philosophy, animal ethics, and the decolonization of philosophical traditions. His main project aims at the Desuperiorization of Philosophy and the foundation of Superaltern Studies, a research area investigating Western superiorist traditions and their global moral self-representation.

Freter is a member of the DGPhil working group on Women in the History of Philosophy and has collaborated with us on various occasions, including the Women and their Body conference (2023) and the Philosophy and Exclusion workshop (2022).

About the Encyclopedia of Concise Concepts by Women Philosophers (ECC)

The ECC is the first encyclopedia to systematically compile philosophical concepts as developed by women philosophers from antiquity to the 21st century. The project highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women and integrates them into the global philosophical discourse.

Each entry, written by international researchers, explains a key concept in 100–300 words and provides further reading references. The ECC is freely accessible online and continuously updated.

Learn more: Encyclopedia of Concise Concepts by Women Philosophers