Souleymane Bachir Diagne

Souleymane Bachir Diagne (born 8 December 1955) is a Senegalese philosopher, author and professor. He is internationally recognized for his work on African philosophy, Islamic philosophy, decolonization of knowledge, translation and the concept of a plural universal. He is Professor of French and Philosophy at Columbia University. Quotes "Coloniality is the intellectual or epistemological side of colonialism." The Decolonization of Knowledge (Platform, 2026). Souleymane Bachir Diagne discussing the enduring epistemological legacy of colonialism. "Fanaticism is a religion." Academic Freedom in France, Senegal, and the US (Yale University, 2017). Souleymane Bachir Diagne discussing fanaticism and academic freedom. "Passing from one language to another allows us to see that philosophical problems, said to be universal, are deeply linked to the languages in which they are expressed." Les dix penseurs africains qui veulent achever l'émancipation du continent (Le Monde Afrique, 2016). Souleymane Bachir Diagne discussing translation and the universality of philosophical thought. "We must uphold the universal against the tribal thinking that fragments humanity." Le Monde interview (2022). Souleymane Bachir Diagne discussing universalism and the dangers of identity-based fragmentation. "Our world is a plural world, a world which has no centre." The Decolonization of Knowledge (Platform, 2026). Souleymane Bachir Diagne discussing pluralism and a decentered vision of the world. External links