Preliminary Pages Filosofia Theoretica Ft 2-2 2013

8/10/2019 Preliminary Pages Filosofia Theoretica Ft 2-2 2013

1/11

Filosofia Theoretica: Journal of African Philosophy, Culture and Religion

i

FILOSOFIA THEORETICA:JOURNAL OF AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY,

CULTURE AND RELIGION

Published byCongress on African Philosophy and Religion (CAPAR)

Department of Philosophy, University of Calabar

ISSN: 2276-8386


2/11


3/11


iii

analyses of new ideas or discoveries in all the areas mentionedabove. Extensions of existing theories and review of books of thisnature are also covered within the standard range of this journal.The journal has a vision to put Africa and African intellectuals onthe global map. However, this does not imply that non-Africans

cannot publish on it.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: All manuscripts must beoriginal (hence, not under consideration anywhere) and submittedto the editor in MS word format via e-mail:[email protected] . The entire work can range fromtwo to fifty double-spaced pages with a concise title, abstract, anda standard scholarly citation: do not place page numbers or papertitle (on each page) on the manuscript; articles (or parts of articles)in languages other than English will be considered, however theymust also be presented in English, and all submissions must list theauthor's current affiliation and contact points (location, e-mailaddress, etc.). In regards to style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.), usewhat is standard in your area of study. Camera ready manuscriptswill receive first preference in the publishing cycle. Allmanuscripts are peer-reviewed and those approved by the editorialpublished free of any charges as quality and originality are theONLY conditions for publication in this journal.

The aim of founding FILOSOFIA THEORETICA is to make it aworld class academic journal with a global brand that would thriveon standard, quality and originality. It is published twice a yearwith maximum of ten (10) articles including book review on eachvolume.

Generally, Editors should be able to reach a decision includingrecommending corrections if any or acceptance of any paperwithin two months of receipt which is communicated to the authorsubsequently. Authors are therefore advised to avoid needlesscorrespondences. Also, Editors are not committed to the views


4/11

Vol. 2 No. 2 July !ece"#er, 2$%&

expressed in articles. Contributors may receive one copy of the journal free of charge but additional copies may be obtained at thenormal price. Copyright to articles published in the journal shallremain vested with the journal. All correspondences includingsubscription and sponsorship to the Editor via:

[email protected], visit www.africanphilcongress.com the former site which hosted the journal i.e. www.platojournal.comhas been disabled.

THE NEW FILOSOFIA THEORETICA: AFRICANJOURNAL OF PHILOSOPHY, CULTURE AND RELIGION

Formerly published under the title Filosofia Theoretica: AfricanJournal of Invention and Ideas, by the Graduate Research Unit(GRU), Department of Philosophy, University of Calabar, Nigeriaand edited by Prof. G.O. Ozumba, has now been adopted byCongress on African Philosophy and Religion (CAPAR) andedited by Dr. Jonathan Okeke Chimakonam. The website has alsomoved from www.platojournal.com towww.africanphilcongress.com the former site which hosted the

journal has been disabled.

Principal ContactsEditor-in- chiefC/O Dr. Jonathan O. ChimakonamDepartment of PhilosophyUniversity of Calabar,PMB 1115, Cross River StateNigeriaTelephone: [email protected] Or

Managing EditorC/O Rev. Fr. Kanu Ikechukwu Anthony (OSA)Augustinian Institute


5/11


'

MakurdiP.O.BOX, 584Benue StateNigeriaTelephone: +234-8036345466

[email protected]


6/11


CONTENTS

Editorial 385 - 389

The Quest for the Nature of Being in AfricanPhilosophy 391 - 407Kanu, Ikechukwu Anthony (OSA)

Quantification in African Logic 409 - 422Jonathan M. O. Chimakonam Ph.D

The Principle of Refl-Action as the Basis for aCulture of Philosophy in Africa 423 - 460Joseph N. Agbo

A Critique of Sartres Notion of Being and Nothingness fromthe Perspective of Ibuanyidanda Philosophy 461 - 482Ogbonnaya, Lucky Uchenna

The Thematic Contradiction in Thomas Aquinas Conceptionof the State: An African (Nigerian) Perspective 483 - 516Olky d R. Adsuy

Metaphysics of Kola Nut: Toward Authentic African IgboCommunion; A Challenge to Christianity 517 - 531Obiajulu Mulumba Ibeabuchi

The Dimensions of African Cosmology 533 - 555Kanu, Ikechukwu Anthony (OSA)

Afrizealotism as a Theory in African Philosophy 557 - 569 Innocent Chukwudolue Egwutuorah

Book Review 571 579


7/11


'ii

EditorialIn this volume the reader shall be treated to a collection of originalpapers in different aspects of African thought. Some of thesepapers are voluminous thus offering detail exegeses. Some othershowever are rather brief but dense confirming the Igbo-Africansaying enen a nwite, gbny k meaning the neglectedsmall pot that fumed and quenched the big fire beneath it. Inkeeping once again with our tradition and reputation as a journalthat makes the most original presentations in African studies, webring to the reader in this issue a cache of scintillating papers.

From the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Kanu critically chroniclesthe theories of being in African philosophy. In this concise but richwork, the author leads the reader into the worldview metaphysics

which account for the various conceptions starting from TempelsPlacids concept of being as force, Alexis Kagames concept ofbeing as Ntu, Iroegbus understanding of being as belongingness,the perspectives of Okere, Abanuka and Njoku who view being asChi and Edehs analysis of being as ife-d . Although, this work didnot exhaust the list but the dexterity with which the author treatedhis concerns are insightful. This is a resource the student,researcher and first time reader of African philosophy would findproperly educating.

Chimakonam in the University of Calabar takes his theory of

African logic to Quantificational level. Ana etu mmad ori ji,owere obi na ap mbaz , one who is being accused of stealingyam from someones farm goes on sharpening a spear in his heart.The controversies generated from his conference papers where hehas developed elementary systems of African logic have not diddown, this author here presents a quantificational theory of Africanlogic. Fit with signs, symbols and rules, Chimakonam developsAfrican predicate logic first and second order. He presents thesyntax and the semantic components pointing out the places of


8/11


contexts and other metalogical properties. Apostles of Africaningenuity and thought freedom would find this paper veryinteresting.

Joseph Agbo from Ebonyi State University theorizes on a way to

get African philosophy from this era of commentary to an era ofcreativity. The author argues that the concern of philosophy inAfrica in the past three or four decades has centered on thephilosophy of culture, but that the greatest challenge facingcontemporary philosophy in Africa is for Philosophers and otherscholars to develop a culture - culture of philosophy. Thisimperious need for a culture of philosophy he states would bebrought about by the principles of refl-action thinking-to-act!The development of this theory of refl-action becomes the focusof this scintillating paper. Students and African philosophersgenerally will find this work a useful intellectual resource.From Essien Ukpabio Presbyterian Theological College,

Ogbonnaya sets out to juxtapose Sartres ontology with Asouzusontology. The work holds that any bifurcative and polarizingconcept of being is problematic. In critically examining Sartresidea of being the author discovers that it is bifurcating andpolarizing in nature. The result of his study is that Asouzusontology as based on the concept of Ibuanyidanda , undergirded bythe principle that anything that exists serves as missing link ofreality is antithetical to Sartres. Asouzus ontology he explainsposits mutual complementary relationship among all fragments ofrealities rather than segmentation. This position of Asouzuaccentuates the African metaphysical stance above that of the Westrepresented by Sartre. This deeply analytic paper is an importantpiece in African ontology.From Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Adesuyi presents theAfrican (Nigerian) perspective to the Thematic contradiction inThomas Aquinas conception of the State. The author examinesThomas Aquinas conception of the state and its implication(s) inthe post-colonial Africa, and Nigeria as the reference point. He


9/11


i(

critically looks into the various conceptions of state of some ofAquinas predecessors, to serve as background to Aquinaspolitical theory. From there he argues that Aquinas theory is self-defeating, given what obtains in the Nigerian religious groups. Healso shows that the themes in Aquinas conception of the state are

contradictory, factually not acceptable and logically absurd giventhe situation of the Nigerian religious entities. Certainly, this is aninsightful piece.

If you are allergic to radical thoughts or paradigm shift then youneed not read this paper. Obiajulu writing from Nnamdi AzikiweUniversity Awka advocates the indigenization, Africanization,Nigerianization and even Igbonization of Christianity whileretaining its essence. One point of his argument is the replacementof wafer bread and medicated wine with j Igbo (Igbo Kola nut)and Nkwu enu (Palm wine) as sacramentals of body and blood ofChrist. His argument is that it is consecration that transforms theminto body and blood of Christ. And as such, African substitutes towafer bread and medicated wine are necessary and would suffice.The philosophical merit of this work is astonishing and itsreadership is imperative to all well-meaning African philosophers.For its radical insight, we award it the best paper of this issue.

Writing from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Kanu again dwellson the subject of African cosmology. The focus of this paper is toreview the dimensions and conceptions of African cosmologysingle out the places of the divinities. The author argues for theequivalence of the different conceptions from Ijiomah to Ekwealorand to Onunwa despite the geometrical difference. The places ofthe divinities in African cosmology are well laid out in this workwith examples from some cultural worldviews. This insightfulpaper clears the air as per the non-uniform conceptions offered byAfrican theorists. A must read for those interested in deeperknowledge about Africa.


10/11


From Imo State University Owerri comes Egwutuorahspresentation of the theory of Afrizealotism in African Philosophy.The author states that Afrizealotism addresses the issue ofreturning to authentic African life characterized by black dignity,black nobility, black power and black consciousness. He also says

that it awakens the African from his slumber and makes effort toliberate Africa from the shackles of imperialism, colonialism andneo-colonialism. Hence, the Salvation of Africa must come fromAfricans through the Spirit of Afrizealotism. In this aggressivemaster piece, Egwutuorah makes a cultural campaign in AfricanPhilosophy. He seems to argue that the philosophy that Africaneeds is the philosophy developed from native African thoughtsystem. Those who cant take their hands off anything originalneed to read this.

In concluding this issue, Bissong treats the scholars to a review ofAsouzus recent work Ibuanyindanda (Complementary Reflection)and some Basic Philosophical Problems in Africa Today. Anexhaustive and terrific presentation, it can almost be said to be aconcise photocopy of the book. It gives the first time reader ofAsouzu a clear perception of what the philosophy of Ibuanyidandais. The reviewer says that Asouzu attempts to highlight in his usualeclectic style, the impact of ihe mkpuchi anya and our ambivalentladen experience of reality on our consciousness. He believes theseconstraining mechanisms or phenomena impact on the way we

judge, act, will and philosophize. He seeks through hisIbuanyidanda philosophy to neutralize the effect of theseconstraining mechanisms on our consciousness; so that at everyinstance we may be able to grasp the Ibuanyidandaness of everyreality. This book is both original and innovation. Innovational, inthe sense that it seeks to advance the frontiers of the theory.According to the reviewer, Asouzu in this beautifully writtenbook has laid bare the foundation of the problems in Africa and theworld at large the problems that have kept philosophy in atortuous movement over eons of years.


11/11

Documents

Preliminary Pages Filosofia Theoretica Ft 2-2 2013