AN EXAMINATION OF THE CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE OF THE ONTOLOGY OF MAN IN IBIBIO COSMOLOGY

Bassey Ubong

Abstract

Although the Greek philosopher Protagoras declared in antiquity that man is the measure of all things, the controversy as to the nature of man continues to evolve. This paper reviews some theories on the nature of man and applies them as appropriate to the ontology of man in Ibibio cosmology people of Southern Nigeria. The paper submits that man (as a generic term to cover both genders of human beings) in traditional Ibibio society is regarded as multi-layered. Ibibio concept of the nature of man admits of neither monism nor dualism but a kind of polymorphism although the conceptualizations are gradually losing punch and relevance as Christian thought and philosophy dominate modern life and thought. A need however exists for greater understanding of the nature of man for relevance in the contemporary world given that some persons continue, at differing intensities, to hold on to the multilayered orientation. This paper uses desk research method along with a priori approach and concludes that lower emphasis should continue to be focused on the multilayered system in a scientific world. This being the case, thought and praxis should focus on positivism and pragmatism.

Keywords: Man, Ontology, Dualism, Monism, Polymorphism, Positivism, Pragmatism