THE CONCEPT OF HYLOMORPHISM IN IGBO ONTOLOGY: AN ANALYTIC APPROACH

Abstract

Hylomorphism is a philosophical conception that every substance are in forms of matter and form. Some scholars have interpreted this ideation of matter and form as being relative to body and soul. Aristotle initially introduced hylomorphism, and later it became a fundamental issue of discourse which leads to the contributions of other philosophers like Plato, Leibniz, Kant, Descartes, among others. Each of these philosophers made one or two addition or variation to the Aristotelian conception of hymorphism. To this end, Hylomorphism has enhanced into a global concept in metaphysics and other natural substances. However, there is bound knowledge of hylomorphism in accordance with the geographical territory, cultural heritage and background. Thus, the main theme of this paper to analyse the concept or idea of hylomorphism in Igbo Ontology. Ontology has to do with the philosophical study which tends to answer questions about things which are in existence and how such things can be categorised, depending on the nature of being, existence and reality. In Igbo Ontology, there are two major categories of things. It is believed that these two categories of things give credence and existence value to all other things that may be idealised to be in existence or that is really in existence. This paper aims to apply an analytical approach to make a discourse on the concept of hymorphism in the Igbo Ontology. The paper will commence with an introduction, followed by conceptual frameworks and finally, the Igbo ontology of hymorphism, to be followed by a brief conclusion. This paper, therefore, takes an analytical look on the concept Hylomorphism in Igbo Ontology. It highlights how the concept of Hylomorphism fits into Igbo ontological conceptions.