Tuesday, 14 February 2017

Logical Progression in Yoruba Epistemology - The concept of Ìmọ́dòye

Ìmọ̀ -> Òye -> Ọgbọ́n
In Yoruba philosophical discourse, Ìmọ́dòye means "knowledge (l̀mọ̀) becomes Understanding (Òye)".
Even though the nature and scope of knowledge have baffled philosophers for centuries, our ancestors were able to break them down by formulating a threesome alliance of Ìmọ̀, Òye and Ọgbọ́n:
Ìmọ̀ = Knowledge - the acquisition of information
Òye = Understanding - knowing the meaning of information gathered
Ọ̀gbọ́n = Wisdom - judicious application of knowledge based on understanding and sound judgement.
What other way to express this than with the following aphorism...
Ọgbọ́n ọlọ́gbọ́n kii jẹ ki a pe àgbà ni wèrè
i.e.
The wisdom acquired through a lifetime experiences prevents an elderly sage from being called a fool
By the way...
Unlike Red Bull (the popular caffeinated soft drink), knowledge, understanding and wisdom give you invincible wings, albeit invisible.

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