CONFLICT AS HARMONY: EXPLORING HERACLITEAN STRIFE IN AFRICAN PHILOSOPHICAL ETHICS

Abstract

This paper examines Heraclitus' concept of strife (polemos) as a fundamental driver of harmony and its resonance with African philosophical ethics, particularly in communal conflict resolution and moral systems. Heraclitus' assertion that “strife is justice” emphasizes the role of opposites in creating balance and dynamism. Similarly, African ethical frameworks recognize the inevitability of conflict within communities and advocate for restorative practices aimed at reconciliation and harmony. By juxtaposing these philosophical traditions, this paper reveals through an analytic method a shared emphasis on the constructive role of conflict in fostering unity and ethical balance. The paper argues that integrating Heraclitean and African ethical perspectives offers valuable insights into contemporary debates on conflict and coexistence.