Moral Perspectives on the Metaphysical Empire : Culture, Identity, and Decolonization in African Philosophy

This book offers a groundbreaking moral analysis of the metaphysical empire—a concept that captures the lingering cultural and intellectual dominance of colonialism in postcolonial Africa.

This book offers a groundbreaking moral analysis of the metaphysical empire—a concept that captures the lingering cultural and intellectual dominance of colonialism in postcolonial Africa. Drawing on African philosophy and ethics, Frank Aragbonfoh Abumere examines how colonial legacies continue to shape identity, culture, and thought, often in ways that are morally problematic. Rather than viewing the metaphysical empire solely through political or metaphysical lenses, Abumere approaches it as a moral phenomenon, evaluating whether it is ethically acceptable, reprehensible, or neutral. Through a nuanced exploration of African cultural identity, colonialism’s enduring legacy, and the contested meanings of decolonization, the book challenges readers to reconsider the moral dimensions of cultural interaction and appropriation. It engages with both critics and defenders of the metaphysical empire, ultimately asking whether decolonization is a moral obligation or an unnecessary pursuit. This timely and thought-provoking work contributes to African philosophy, postcolonial theory, and decolonization studies, offering fresh insights into the ethics of empire and cultural transformation.