Rule 1 for history of philosophy: independent discovery

Good rule... in my own work on the history of Africana philosophy, I have had instances in which I have sought to point out that even when it's obvious that the Western tradition has helped to shape and provide the context for the work of modern Africana thinkers, it is worth being cautious in drawing a line from a particular Western thinker's doctrine to something apparently similar in an Africana thinker's work in cases where the latter does not mention the former. It may well be a case of direct influence, but in the instances I've discussed, there were circumstances uniquely affecting the lives and thoughts of black thinkers that are equally if not more likely to have played a role in inspiring the apparently similar doctrine...

Independent discovery of key philosophical concepts shows a connection of mankind that transcends simple historical limitations. Is there Socratic influence in Plato and the Hellenistic schools? Yes, but influence does not have to mean domination: just because a previous thinker whom you are acquainted with historically or studiously has given a particular thesis and argument, it does not mean that you do not try to confirm or deny the thesis based on your own abilities. It might be that when we can make sense of an argument, or anticipate the next part of the philosophy, we are truly connecting to that previous thinker in a real way. If we are unacquainted with a previous thinker's corpus, this connection could be viewed in an even stronger way. Some of it must be that there could be a limited amount of alternatives, but independently discovering something without influence speaks to what it means for man to be philosophical. Personally, when I have come to a conclusion that was later given in a far more coherent and organized why by a philosopher, I feel connected to him or her, not because I think I am as smart or gifted, but because I feel like we have connected in a meaningful way as human beings. Removing any possible authority that thinker might hold, knowing that you are connected with someone through your thoughts and reason over the expanse of time is empowering. I think that the history of philosophy is not so much about the differences between philosophers, but it concerns their similarities and reasons for those similarities.