End of Arrogance: Africa & the West – Understanding their Differences by Dr. Helmut Danner

Book Discussion: End of Arrogance [Africa & the West – Understanding their Differences], Oct. 24 2013 @ Goethe

End of Arrogance: Africa & the West – Understanding their Differences by Dr. Helmut Danner
End of Arrogance: Africa & the West – Understanding their Differences by Dr. Helmut Danner
End of Arrogance: Africa & the West – Understanding their Differences by Dr. Helmut Danner

Date: October 24, 2013
Venue: Goethe-Institut Auditorium
Time: 6 pm
Entry: Free

The book’s basic thesis is: The relationship between Africa and the West is disturbed: distrust here and arrogance there. The main two reasons for this have to be seen in the common history which was humiliating for the Africans: slavery, missionaries, colonialism; and in the lack of understanding of the mentality of the other side. Danner describes the rich, but unknown, pre-colonial history of Africa and the common history of Africa and the West since the end of the 15th century. He shows that the African social structure is founded on concrete communities, while the Western societies are based on individuals. As a consequence, the African ethical orientation is related to concrete persons; however, the Western ethics are guided by abstract norms. The African spirituality is from this world, while the Western religiosity is metaphysical, i.e. God is beyond this world. What do these different orientations mean for the encounter of Africans and Westerners, also for the development cooperation?

The book will be presented in the form of a panel discussion. The panelists will include: Dr. Joyce Nyairo, Ms. Jennifer Luesby, Mr. Jagi Gakunju, Dr. Helmut Danner (the author) and Ms. Njoki Muhoro (moderator).

For more information: GI website