"All These examples (ancient Egyptian, Yoruba, Ganda, Bangongo, Fang) provide unambiguous proof of the intellectual ability of these African societies to work with very high numbers, and to develop suitable terminologies for them. What we have, in short, is the ability to conceptualize numerically. Every psychological condition for numerical thinking is present in these societies. We know how intimately the ability to count. That quintessential human ability, is linked to the development of human intelligence.
"The history of numbers is an issue of central cultural significance. It is, in fact, at the very basis of human progress. It would be merely normal for Africa to retrieve her rightful place in that history."
473-474, "The Science of Measurement," AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY THE PHARAONIC PERIOD : 2780-330 B.C. by Theophile Obenga (2004)
Monday, August 7, 2017
MEASUREMENT
"All These examples (ancient Egyptian, Yoruba, Ganda, Bangongo, Fang) provide unambiguous proof of the intellectual ability of these African societies to work with very high numbers, and to develop suitable terminologies for them. What we have, in short, is the ability to conceptualize numerically. Every psychological condition for numerical thinking is present in these societies. We know how intimately the ability to count. That quintessential human ability, is linked to the development of human intelligence.
"The history of numbers is an issue of central cultural significance. It is, in fact, at the very basis of human progress. It would be merely normal for Africa to retrieve her rightful place in that history."
473-474, "The Science of Measurement," AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY THE PHARAONIC PERIOD : 2780-330 B.C. by Theophile Obenga (2004)