Seeking Balance in Humanity: Ethical Consideration of Ìwọ̀ntunwọ̀nsì in Yorùbá Thought System

The study investigates the concept of ìwọ̀ntunwọ̀nsì in Yorùbá in line with Aristotle’s golden mean with the hope to validating how it operates in Yorùbá thoughts system. The data relied upon are verbal arts in Yorùbá which are considered the repertoires of Yorùbá cosmology. Such verbal arts include proverbs, Ifá verses, folktales and panegyric among others. The data are analysed from the Philosophical viewpoint of golden mean propounded by Aristotle’s and binary theory of complementarity as articulated in Ilésanmí (1989) and Olúwolé (2014). The study re-affirms that ìwọ̀ntunwọ̀nsì, a Yorùbá concept which is translates to mean “moderation,” “balance,” or “equilibrium”, describes a state of harmony; its principle serves as ethical framework that cautions against extremes, advocating instead for the virtues of moderation, restraint, and balance. Examining the philosophical concept of ìwọ̀ntunwọ̀nsì (moderation) within the verbal arts indicates that equilibrium (balance) sustains communal harmony; Without this balance, the pursuit of noble intentions may inadvertently result in societal detriment.

Balance, Humanity, Ethical Consideration, Ìwọ̀ntunwọ̀nsì

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