How Ezumezu Logic Grounds Some Theories in African Philosophy with a Special Focus on Afro-Communitarianism

Abstract

With the structure of Ezumezu laid out in preceding chapters, I want to now demonstrate how Ezumezu logic actually grounds theories in African philosophy and studies. I argue that some theories in African philosophy can be grounded in an Africa-developed system of logic to demonstrate their originality and Africanness and deflate the accusation in some quarters that African philosophers copy their Western counterparts or that African philosophy is not original. I explain what it might look like to ground a theory in African logic. I briefly highlight this with examples of some currents like conversational philosophy, ubuntu, complementary reflection, consolation philosophy and Afro-communitarianism. I pay special attention to Afro-communitarianism which shares a lot in common with the first three by considering the perennial problem of ‘priority’ that exists in the relationship between the individual and the community. I use the twin issues of individual autonomy and rights to demonstrate how Afro-communitarianism can be grounded in (an) African logic.