Ubuntu Philosophy as an African Ontology

Abstract

This work discusses Ubuntu Philosophy as an African ontology. Ontology means the study of the meaning and nature of reality, being, existence and essence. Ubuntu is generally held to stem from, and to be deeply rooted in African ontology that expresses notions of interdependence, interconnectedness, solidarity and communalism. The African world-view 
is generally based on its ontology. African ontology is the totality of the African’s perception of reality, which is holistic and interrelated conception of reality. In this regard, this paper argues that the philosophy of Ubuntu is very much central to the African idea of communalism. Using expository and critical methods, the paper argues convincingly that Ubuntu is rooted in African ontology. This study finds out that Ubuntu evoked the 
unadulterated forms of African social life which stems from the category of forces and interconnectedness of forces. The paper concludes that the interaction between beings is not a chaotic one, rather, it is in accordance with an established ontological order.