Philosophy as Dialogue and Utopia:
Philosophizing in Mozambique

The question of language presents a significant challenge. Portuguese remains the official language of Mozambique and the dominant language of its academic institutions, while the philosophical resources of the country’s African languages have yet to be explored systematically. Castiano points to literature, poetry, and other writings in these languages as important potential sources of philosophical thought. Developing appropriate methods for engaging such materials and for philosophizing in African languages is, in his view, an important task for future research.

Castiano understands philosophy primarily as reflection on the human condition. In African contexts, that condition has been profoundly shaped by slavery and colonialism. Philosophy, however, must not limit itself to diagnosing inherited structures of suffering and domination. Its second task is to formulate alternatives for a better future. Castiano describes this orientation in terms of a “realizable utopia”: a vision grounded not in abstract dreams but in the actual circumstances of individuals and communities. Critical thinking and dialogue connect the analysis of present conditions with the collective effort to transform them.

He practices this conception of philosophy in three complementary roles. As a university teacher, he seeks to make philosophy meaningful within Mozambican and African contexts. As a researcher, he introduces students to philosophical debates from other parts of the world, enabling them to relate local questions to global discussions. As a public intellectual, he intervenes in Mozambican society, particularly in defense of democracy and in support of reconciliation. In a society marked by persistent violence, he regards the cultivation of dialogue as an urgent philosophical and civic responsibility.

Castiano’s engagement with Henry Odera Oruka’s Sage Philosophy Project arose partly from his students’ expectation that philosophy taught in Mozambique should also address national thinkers and locally rooted forms of wisdom. Drawing on Oruka’s methods, Castiano conducted interviews with sages in Mozambican communities. His findings challenge the assumption that sages merely preserve or defend inherited traditions. The interlocutors he encountered were well informed about contemporary developments and critically examined both tradition and the present social order. They reflected on democracy, education, morality, and politics; criticized practices such as the oppression of women; and expressed concern about the erosion of dialogue. In adapting Oruka’s approach, Castiano places particular emphasis on the sages’ critical engagement with contemporary society and the wider world.

This emphasis on dialogue also shapes Castiano’s account of philosophy’s public function. Communities remain united, he argues, by speaking with one another and addressing conflict through arguments rather than weapons. Philosophy must therefore create and expand spaces of debate, distinguish mere opinion from reasoned argument, and connect dialogue at the national and local levels. Disagreements concerning historical memory, political heroes, and competing visions of society can be addressed constructively only when different perspectives are brought into conversation.

The institutional future of philosophy in Mozambique is nevertheless not assured. Castiano identifies several persistent misconceptions: philosophy is sometimes conflated with theology or religion; because of Mozambique’s socialist past, it may be reduced to Marxism and associated with support for the ruling party; or it is dismissed as inconsequential talk. He therefore advocates preserving philosophy in grades 11 and 12 while introducing younger students to philosophical reflection through civic education. Unlike narrowly conceived moral instruction, such civic education would enable children to engage critically with political and social questions.

Despite these challenges, Castiano remains hopeful. For him, philosophy has a promising future insofar as it sustains democratic dialogue, resists violence, and helps communities imagine realizable alternatives for their shared society.