Souleymane Bachir Diagne Quotes
Souleymane Bachir Diagne is a Senegalese philosopher, professor at Columbia University, and one of the leading living voices on African philosophy, Islamic thought, and translation between traditions. Trained in mathematical logic at the Ecole normale superieure under Louis Althusser, he has written on Boole's algebra and on the Indian Muslim philosopher Muhammad Iqbal, whom he reads as an exemplary thinker of an open Islam in dialogue with European modernity. The quotes below are attributed to Souleymane Bachir Diagne, organized by topic.
Souleymane Bachir Diagne on God
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Attributed to Souleymane Bachir Diagne:
“Islam is not a closed system; it is an ongoing argument among free Muslims.”
Souleymane Bachir Diagne on Knowledge
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Attributed to Souleymane Bachir Diagne:
“African philosophy is one of the languages in which the universal speaks.”
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Attributed to Souleymane Bachir Diagne:
“Translation is the labor of the universal.”
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Attributed to Souleymane Bachir Diagne:
“There is no philosophy without translation, and no translation without philosophy.”
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Attributed to Souleymane Bachir Diagne:
“To philosophize is to think with one's tradition against one's tradition.”