The Existentialist “Inter-Subjectivity” And The Problem of “Other’: A Philosophical Approach to Politics of Recognition (Published)
Humans are ontologically positioned to interact with one another in order to satisfy the essential conditions of humanity individually and collectively. It is the extent and the nature of the relationships among human beings that defines the civilization of each age. However, the inevitable interactions among human beings as conscious beings provide the medium for conflicts, tensions and crises among individuals and social groups within the society. The history of philosophy has been occupied with rigorous analytical and speculative exercises to unravel the foundation of the suspicious antagonisms between individuals and groups. At the same time, attempts have been made in philosophy to establish a metaphysical or spiritual justification for the reconciliation of the ‘self’ and other’ and ultimately promote mutual respect and recognition of both. Existentialism is a philosophical orientation that has been predominant in this project. This paper, through analysis of existing discourse, attempts therefore, to critically examine the existentialist concept of intersubjectivity as a viable philosophical approach to the politics of recognition and present it as a theoretical framework for peaceful cohabitation of individuals and groups of diverse worldviews.
Citation: Adekeye D.O. (2023) The Existentialist “Inter-Subjectivity” And The Problem of “Other’: A Philosophical Approach to Politics of Recognition, International Journal of History and Philosophical Research, Vol.11, No.1, pp.18-33
Keywords: Existentialism, Philosophy, Politics, Recognition, intersubjectivity
Sri Aurobindo’s Notion of Boycott and its Spiritual Implication (Published)
Sri Aurobindo’s theory of Boycott is very important not only in the context of Indian politics but also to understand the inherent salient feature of Indian independence movement taken place in the pre-independent India. His theory concerning boycott has five counterparts, namely economic boycott, educational boycott, administrative boycott, judicial boycott and social boycott, to convey the uniqueness. Sri Aurobindo discovered the spiritual implication behind this theory of boycott which conveys the uniqueness of his thesis. To him the word ‘boycott’ spiritually stands as a means to preach for Zeitgeist both in the form of Kali and Krishna unlike Bankim. His thesis of boycott is commonly misinterpreted as an act of violence but Sri Aurobindo compared it with an act of self-preservance of the Kshatriya. The way of boycott is somewhat similar with concept of svadharma of the Kshatriya. The political battle of boycott seemed necessary to him for bringing the desired Indian independence. In this way the spiritual sense of boycott becomes inseparable with its political sense to Sri Aurobindo.
Keywords: Boycott, Indian independence movement., Politics, Spriritual implication, Sri Aurobindo
Boko Haram: The Birth, Geography and Hypotheses Responsible For the Sustenance of the Conflict in Nigeria (Published)
There are many states on the northern border of Nigeria with Niger, Chad and Cameroon. And in these states, there are many ethnic groups. However, it is only the Kanuri enclave of Borno and Yobe states that produced the radical Islamic boko haram sect. It is the informed position of this paper that one of the reasons why the Kanuri gestated boko haram was largely due to the international territorial advantage they have. The reason is that the Kanuri is the only ethnic group in northern Nigeria that undistorted distribution into neighbouring countries of Chad, Cameroon and Niger, with the special feature of almost uninterrupted spread. Therefore, the paper argues that this geographical advantage certainly has a fundamental role in the on-going conflict of the boko haram. It is also the submission of this paper that the version of Islam prevalent in the Kanuri enclave is predisposed to radicalism that boko haram prides with. It is common knowledge that since the conflict ensued, the Nigerian government has taken measures aimed at curtailing moments of attacks and frustrating the movement’s ambition. This desire is yet a success. Therefore, the paper appraises the methodologies so far employed, identifying why they have not worked, and probably why they will never work for this conflict that has lasted for a decade now.
Keywords: Boko Haram, Ethnic Identity, Kanuri, Politics, Religion., conspiracy