Tempels’ text achieved canonical status mainly through the criticisms it provoked

Evidence

There is no doubt that both the amount and weight of criticism the book has received far outweighs the value of the text. In fact, it is perhaps the criticisms more than anything else which have helped to propel this book to the level it now occupies in the story of African philosophy. To belabour the point no further, let me summarise by saying that the text by Tempels will remain etched in the history of African philosophy and, for that reason, it is a text whose canonical status does not come from it being an exemplary text, but rather its influence stems from the amount of space and effort that has been devoted to refuting its philosophicality. — Frans Dokman, Beyond Bantu Philosophy_…, 371

Categorization

• DEEPTHINKING: A striking inversion—a work’s importance rooted in the refutations against it, not its content—worth extended reflection on canon formation.