A Critical Exposition of Madukakism as a Theory of Being Human in Contemporary Africa

Abstract

In our world today, what is meant to be human is shrouded in mystery as a result of two major factors. The first being globalization and its attendant Information Communication Technology (ICT). The second having to do with the universal drive towards economic achievements and material acquisition. Following these, the essence, worthiness and selfauthenticity of the human person is almost eroded. This paper presents Madukakism as a philosophy of being human in contemporary Africa. Its make the claim that, the idea of Madukakism when imbibed by all and sundry, will restore human dignity and worth as well as foster global peace. The philosophical methods of conversationalism, exposition, conceptual clarification and deduction were employed to show that Madukakism is drawn from the word Madukaku, which is an Igbo concept that represents, explicates and exposes the true nature of human being. Madukaku connotes the quality and value which the being “human” possesses as against other existing beings. Following the idea of Madukaku, the notion of human being, humanhood, personhood or humanity consist in the quality, value, worth or importance attached or attributed to a person over and above other things. The paper attempts to defend this view by presenting arguments to show that the (Igbo) African, places more value on a person than anything else and this is evident in their naming tradition among other things. It also argues that the terms “human being”, as well as Madukaku, are combinations of two words, each of which when broken down are synonymous in meaning and signification. Moreover, “being” metaphysically refers to anything that exists whether visible or invisible, spiritual or physical; and humans are part of the existing things. Hence, the paper presents Madukakism as the authentic basis for (humanness) being human in (Igbo) African worldview.