Consciousness and the Question of Self: An African Philosophical Perspective
Revista de Filosofía December 15, 2025 Festus Ogonegbu, Grace Ogelenya
African philosophical thought offers a view of consciousness as a relational, dynamic force rather than a property confined within an individual. Drawing on the Bantu concept of vital force (élan vital), this paper argues that consciousness exists on a continuum and that personal identity emerges through communal relationships, not isolated introspection. Integrating panpsychist insights, the work presents a holistic understanding of selfhood that challenges Western dualistic and individualistic models. The self is positioned as fundamentally interconnected with both human and non-human aspects of reality, providing a culturally grounded alternative to mainstream Western frameworks.