Nnadiebube Journal of Philosophy

From the existential and metaphysical standpoint, the Igbo-African world presents a duality of the physical and the metaphysical worlds. In praxis, the metaphysical world is seen to be higher in the scheme of things because, it is from it that the impersonal beings/forces operate and superintend on the physical world of man. It is based on this that ‘the concept of human destiny’ is topical and recurrent in Igbo-African metaphysics. The problem is, however, to account for the place of freedom, choice and responsibility within the framework of human destiny. If we admit that one’s destiny is chosen and affixed by his Chi (the guardian spirit), the question arises, as to the appropriateness of praise or blame. Yet, the traditional Igbo do not shy away from praising and/ or blaming people for their actions. In this seemingly Igbo standard, this paper took a reconciliatory approach. It employs the method of hermeneutics in its task. Through this method of interpretation, the true Igbo conception of human destiny is sift out. The finding, in one hand, is that destiny is ‘the already given’, a package sealed and given to man before birth. On the other hand, destiny is a resource to be exploited, a potential to be harnessed through hard work and resolute resourcefulness. On the basis of this, the paper concludes that man, in collaboration with his Chi works for the realization of his destiny. This is to say that, in Igbo concept of human destiny, the Igbo internal destiny (Akala Chi) and the Igbo external destiny (Akala Agu) co-exist and are mutually co-related. Therefore, destiny (Akala Aka) is a function both of freedom and determinism.

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