Metaphysics of Force and an Alternative Logic System
摘要
African metaphysics has been characterized by the doctrine of force. This chapter discusses the authentic efforts towards the articulation of African metaphysics outside the scope of classical logic. It begins with the emphasis on duality in ancient Egyptian cosmogony before assessing a handful of African metaphysical theories from the orient of Ezumezu logic—the Afro-inspired three-valued system of logic. The African metaphysical systems that fall within the prism of process thought and an alternative system of logic are Alexis Kagame’s Ntu, Pantaleon Iroegbu’s notion of Uwa. Ubu-ntu from the reflections of Mogobe Ramose. Of this group, emphasis on relationality, interdependence, dynamism and vitality are replete but no mention of the inadequacy of classical logic for comprehending the African reality. With the arrival of the complementary theories of Innocent Asouzu and Sophie Oluwole, the emphasis on the turn to the appropriate system of logic for the metaphysics of force soon became a hot topic. This topic received further explorations from the most recent theories of metaphysics—nmeko and Ìwà from Jonathan Chimakonam & Lucky Ogbonnaya and Emmanuel Ofuasia, respectively. The effort of this chapter shows among other things the centrality and importance of an alternative system of logic for reinforcing and codifying an authentic account of the African vision of reality, salvaged from the scourge of substance metaphysics and classical logic.