Faculty
Department
Year of Publication
upload
Publication Type
Abstract
This study examines the Yorùbá concept of àyànmọ (destiny) as a possible solution to the enduring Western philosophical debate between free willist and determinist. The research aims to: conduct systematic assessment of Western metaphysical discourse on free will and determinism with Yorùbá ontological understanding of human agency and destiny; demonstrate how the traditional Western problem may be less inflexible when approached through the àyànmọ framework; explore opportunities for combining Western analytical rigor with Yorùbá practical wisdom; and contribute to comparative philosophy by showing how engagement with non-Western traditions mirrors hidden traditions in Western approaches. The research employs hermeneutical and critical analysis methodology, drawing upon Gadamerian concepts of "fusion of horizons" to conduct cross-cultural philosophical investigation. The approach combines interpretive understanding with rigorous evaluation, investigating the historical development and cultural embeddedness of concepts within both Western and Yorùbá frameworks while sustaining standards of logical coherence and practical relevance. The study reveals that àyànmọ, etymological meaning "that which one chooses and becomes fixed," presents a cultured understanding of agency through progressive pluralism that recognizes multiple levels of agency operating at the same time. The ori's prenatal choice creates parameters within which incarnate freedom functions through character development (ìwà), creating nested orders of agency that preserve both cosmic order and moral responsibility. The Yorùbá hierarchical ontology, extending from Olódùmarè (Supreme Being) through the òrìṣà (deities) to human beings, situates personal destiny within broader cosmic relationships. This framework addresses deterministic concerns about constraining circumstances while maintaining space for genuine moral achievement, demonstrating that Yorùbá philosophy offers valuable resources for contemporary philosophical discourse on human agency and moral responsibility
Supervisor(s)
co-supervisor