Amo, Anton Wilhelm, an African Philosopher in Eighteenth-Century Germany

Introduction

During the early eighteenth century, Anton Wilhelm Amo, an African slave from the Gold Coast of Guinea, lectured on philosophy at three German universities and formulated a considerable critique of Descartes’ mind-body union.

The Narrative of Anton Wilhelm Amo

Anton Wilhelm Amo, born circa 1700 in Guinea, present-day Ghana, arrived at Wolfenbüttel’s court around 1705, ruled by Duke Anton Ulrich [1633–1714]. From the Modern Period until the end of the nineteenth century, two-thirds of the slaves that left Africa were taken from West Africa, Amo’s home (Lovejoy 2011). It is unclear how or why Amo ended up at Wolfenbüttel; but what is clear is that he was taken from his home and unable to escape the reality of many West Africans. While at Wolfenbüttel Amo must have impressed the Duke and his sons, because Amo was given educational opportunities unlike the other Moors in the Duke’s service. In return Amo excelled educationally by receiving multiple degrees, learning at least...