Benue State University, Makurdi

The Philosophy of Force and the Spoken Word in African Metaphysics: Some Critical Insights

Nelson Udoka Ukwamedua, Ph.D and Victor Ighekhie Omokpo

Abstract

A cardinal idea that swivels round the discourse on African metaphysics is the idea of force. Ordinarily, in other traditions of philosophy, the idea of force exists but the problem here is that, in African metaphysics, the idea of force is quite unique and interesting especially as it concerns the spoken words. It is this idea of force and the spoken word and how they interface to beautify African metaphysics that this paper is concerned with. In African metaphysics, this discourse on force theoretically originated from Tempels. This research was carried out using the critical analytic model and with it the authors put forward the thesis that the ontology of force is critical to the existence of the various modes of being in African metaphysics. It is also the argument of this paper that this force has very close ties with the spoken words; as under proper condition and with the expected disposition, the spoken word comes with some force that makes it powerful, lively, forceful, creative and also destructive as the case may be. So, it was palpable that the spoken word is not ordinary in African metaphysics and it is rather called nommo. And it is the thesis of this paper amongst others that this spoken word makes the various worlds and beings in the African world to relate and associate thereby justifying the anthropologised nature of African metaphysics.

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