Epistemology and Morality: A Decolonial Reading of the Oral Philosophy of Ọ̀rúnmìlà

How can a non-Eurocentric source clarify that philosophical activity is culturally specific? How can a multi-disciplinary philosophical approach help us to see that disciplinary boundaries have prevented us from embracing and tolerating epistemological pluralism and value pluralism in today’s world? How does Ifá/Ọ̀rúnmìlà (the Yorùbá Knowledge system) show us that philosophy, history, and religious studies are from a source (i.e., aiyé – the world which is neither completely known nor totally comprehended)? These key questions inform and situate this book in African philosophy, world philosophies, and world knowledge traditions. Answering these questions, this book: (i) sources philosophical ideas from Ifá as a way of departing not only from Eurocentric sources but also from (neo-)colonial misconceptions of the Yorùbá knowledge system; (ii) decolonizes specific philosophical, historical, and religious/spiritual concepts in oratures and rituals of Òrìsà (the Yorùbá deities) and shows their contributions to the tolerance of epistemological pluralism and value pluralism in the world; and (iii) draws examples from Ifá to elucidate the relevance of orality and multi-disciplinarity to studies in African philosophy, world philosophies, world traditions of knowledge making, and thus, shows the significance of Ifá to decolonizing our postcolonial world. In doing that, this book focuses on a decolonial interpretation of the oral philosophy of Ọ̀rúnmìlà (the ancient legendary Yorùbá priest-scholar and philosopher as well as interpreter of the spiritual tradition of Ifá).