Souleymane Bachir Diagne

Souleymane Bachir Diagne is a Senegalese philosopher and Professor of Francophone Studies and Philosophy at Columbia University, where he directs the Institute of African Studies. A former student of the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) in Paris, he holds doctorates in philosophy and has taught at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar and Northwestern University in Chicago. His research focuses on Islamic philosophy, African intellectual history, postcolonial theory, and the interplay between art and philosophy in African contexts.

Education:

• Doctorate in Philosophy from ENS Paris
• Former student of Cheikh Anta Diop University

Research interests include reconstructing African philosophical traditions, exploring the legacy of thinkers like Léopold Sédar Senghor and Muhammad Iqbal, and analyzing decolonial thought. He emphasizes the philosophical dimensions of Islam and African art, arguing for a re-evaluation of non-Western epistemologies.

Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, from historical studies of algebraic logic to contemporary debates on Islam’s role in modern society. His works interrogate postcolonial frameworks and advocate for inclusive universalism rooted in cultural specificity.

Awards include membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and an associate position at Belgium’s Royal Academy, recognizing his contributions to global philosophy.

He actively engages in public intellectual work, delivering lectures such as The Right to Philosophy in Islam (2017) and co-authoring dialogues on intercultural philosophy.