Between Ifá’s complementary logic and Jaina perspectival pluralism

Abstract

In spite of the gap in emergence, geography and independence in the practices of the religious aspects of each of Ifá and Jainism, there are some unique philosophical components in the principles guiding the modus operandi of these two traditions that command intellectual attention. This investigation is pertinent following the recent need to emphasise aspects of humanity that exhibit common grounds and mutual understanding that inform how African and Eastern philosophies have contributed to world intellectual heritage. In this study, attention is given to the logic inherent in the principles of “binary complementarity” and “perspectival pluralism” in Ifá and Jainism respectively. Through the methods of hermeneutical and comparative analyses, this research argues that these unrelated traditions exhibit some similarities concerning how they are able to reconcile seemingly opposed realities without contradiction, thereby birthing a basis for complementary reflection with a pluralistic attitude. What this points out, in the end, is that rationality is indeed universal and not peculiar to a group.