EPTAISM: THE INTERPLAY OF THOUGHT AND ACTION IN EDEH’S METAPHYSICS AS FOSTERING HUMAN DIGNITY

Abstract

Philosophy critically evaluates man’s existential conditions and guides his actions towards a better life. The world of today is confronted by enormous and complex existential challenges. These challenges especially in Africa present a new way of philosophizing that harmonizes thought and praxis to man’s concrete life and experiences. This paper examines the interplay of thought and action in Edeh’s metaphysics that portrays the concrete way of being of man in Africa as mma-di who practically deserves care. Evaluating lived experiences, the paper establishes that this thought pattern encourages practical thoughts that culminate in concrete existential actions for man, with man, through man and in man in union with his ultimate source for dignified life and existence. It then demonstrates how this novel philosophical position of co-occurrence of theory and action launches a new school of thought known as EPTAISM (EPTA-ism) that has greatly helped to shape African philosophy in favour of Africans for good and happy living. It therefore concludes that eptaistic philosophy fosters man’s goodness (mma-di) through the implementation of healthy programmes that promote his well-being and authentic existence.