Manuscript Title:

THE INTERPLAY OF PHILOSOPHY, ISLAMIC RELIGION, AND THE EMPIRICAL SCIENCE IN UNDERSTANDING HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE NATURE OF REALITY WITHIN THE COSMIC ORDER IN AFRICAN CONTEXT

Author:

ADEJO PATRICK EMMANUEL, MURTALA, SA’AAD, ADAH OBE CHRISTOPHER, ABDULWAHID SULYMAN MURTADHA, ALFA MUHAMMED SALISU, SULAIMAN MUHAMMED SALEH, AMODU, SALISU AMEH

DOI Number:

DOI:10.5281/zenodo.13740274

Published : 2024-09-10

About the author(s)

1. ADEJO PATRICK EMMANUEL - PhD, Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agricultural Science, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
2. MURTALA, SA’AAD - PhD, Head of Department, Arabic and Islamic Studies, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
3. ADAH OBE CHRISTOPHER - PhD, Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agricultural Science, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
4. ABDULWAHID SULYMAN MURTADHA - PhD, Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
5. ALFA MUHAMMED SALISU - PhD, Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
6. SULAIMAN MUHAMMED SALEH - PhD, Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
7. AMODU, SALISU AMEH - Department of Philosophy, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.

Full Text : PDF

Abstract

The exploration of human consciousness and the nature of reality within the cosmic order is a multifaceted endeavor, deeply enriched by the interplay between philosophy, Islamic religion, and the empirical science. In the African context, this interplay is particularly vibrant, given the continent's rich tapestry of cultural, spiritual, and intellectual traditions. Adopting an analytic and integrative approach, this paper critically investigates how the traditional African thought system, their indigenous religious practices, and the contemporary scientific approaches collectively contribute to a holistic understanding of consciousness and reality within the continent framework. African philosophy, with its emphasis on communalism, interconnectedness, and the integral role of spirituality, provides a unique lens through which to view consciousness as an entity that transcends individual existence. Indigenous African religions further this perspective by embedding consciousness within a cosmological framework where the material and spiritual realms are inseparable. These traditions often highlight the importance of ancestral spirits, nature, and the concept of a life force that permeates all existence. Complementing these perspectives, contemporary scientific approaches in Africa, from neuroscience to quantum physics, offer empirical insights that can both challenge and enhance traditional understandings. The synthesis of these diverse viewpoints fosters a dynamic discourse that not only deepens our comprehension of human consciousness and reality but also emphasizes the importance of integrating traditional wisdom with modern scientific inquiry. This integration underscores the significance of an African-centered epistemology in contributing to global philosophical, religious, and scientific debates on the nature of existence within the cosmic order.


Keywords

Spiritual, Intellectual Traditions, Consciousness, Reality, Communalism, and Interconnectedness.