PHILOSOPHY AND PRAXIS

The gamut of intercultural discourse covers the theoretical as well as practical aspects of human interrelationships. Structured on dialogic values, and fast-tracked by the phenomenological hermeneutic system, it opens up the vista for mutuality and convivial relationships. Intercultural philosophy seeks to create a mosaic where individuals with divergent cultures, worldviews, religions, philosophies and scientific notions coalesce in mutual respect without the violence of unilateral claim to epistemic privilege of any. In this essay, we shall identify the forceful merger of various ethnic nations into a composite nation-state by colonial lords as germane to the crisis of nation building in Nigeria. We shall demonstrate that this crisis is exacerbated in postcolonial era by the continual meddling (neocolonialism) of the ‘world powers’ in the internal affairs of their erstwhile colonies. By the same token, and given the epistemic neutrality of interculturality, we shall suggest the application of intercultural values as a panacea to this crisis. By turning its eyes outwards to encourage mutually beneficial dialogue, the application of intercultural philosophy, as is proposed, is the best shot against the crisis of nation building in Nigeria.

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