HIV/AIDS and modernity in Africa: a philosophical perspective

Abstract

English: HIV/AIDS poses the greatest threat to human life in sub-Saharan Africa. Although the general awareness of the various modes of HIV-transmission has increased significantly over the past few years, the continuing threat of this deadly disease seems to be unstoppable. To make matters worse, our understanding of HIV/AIDS has been dominated by Western philosophical discourses that somehow question Africa’s ability to understand fully the serious nature and extent of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. This article addresses the possibility of Africa’s right to life from the perspective of the philosophical discourse of modernity in Africa.

Afrikaans: MIV/VIGS hou die grootse bedreiging in vir die menslike bestaan in sub-Sahara Afrika. Alhoewel algemene bewustheid van die verskeie vorme van MIV-oordraagbaarheid in die laaste paar jaar aansienlik vermeerder het, blyk dit dat die voortdurende bedreiging van hierdie dodelike siekte onstuitbaar is. Om dinge te vererger, is ons begrip van MIV/VIGS gedomineer deur Westerse filosofiese diskoerse wat Afrika se vermoë om die ernstige aard en omvang van die MIV/VIGS pandemie ten volle te verstaan, in twyfel trek. Hierdie artikel spreek die moontlikheid van Afrika se reg op lewe aan vanuit die perspektief van die filosofiese diskoers van moderniteit in Afrika.