African relational metaphysics as foundation for robust, deep ecological ethics

Abstract

In this study, I begin to articulate an ecosophy from Africa south of the Sahara by using culturally embedded epistemic resources. An ecosophy is a personal code of ethics or set of norms informed by an eco-philosophy or, environmental philosophy based on a relational field metaphysic as described by the deep ecology of Arne Naess. As a basis for Ecosophy A, I embark on a review of Chimakonam’s Conversational Thinking as a novel system of metaphysics, ontology, logic, ethics and method, from Africa. I employ the Conversational Method, subsequently reviewing the deep ecology of Arne Naess according to the three dimensions of a philosophical system identified by Chimakonam: The foundational dimension, the architectural dimension, and the doctrinal dimension. I introduce Ecosophy A as a new African ecosophy informed by Conversational Philosophy. In Chapter 4, Ecosophy A starts taking form as I engage with the deep ecology platform showing a compatibility between the basic assumptions of Ecosophy A informed by Conversational Thinking and the deep ecology platform. Finally, I begin to develop a new heuristic device called Conscious Prioritisation of Relationship (CPR-A). Ecosophy A accepts the basic assumption of African ethics that action is motivated by a drive for self-preservation and self-sufficiency and that the realisation that an individual cannot attain either whilst being an isolated entity results in an emphasis on relationship as fundamental to the constitution of reality. I argue that heuristic devices like CPR-A promise to deliver a benefit for action in the environment as it may facilitate the active learning and practice of relationship-centred decision-making across borders.