The Concept of Person and the Metaphysics of African Unity

Abstract

The vocation to unity is a natural feature of the human because it is essentially free, relational and dialoguing. Africa is a complex and heterogeneous mosaic of peoples, languages, races, cultures, ethnic groups and religions, whose metaphysical foundation of origin represents an indivisible unity in historical reality. The metaphysical basis of origin is important because in all fields everything that unites human beings is stronger than what divides them. In this, dialogue is necessary to overcome the historical prejudices and disagreements, the divisions, intolerances and fundamentalisms that unfortunately are intensifying at the present time. The dialog, leading to the unit, doesn’t oblige, but moves in respect of freedom of the person and of the sovereignty of each State. At last, it is a sincere dialog and fruitful that acknowledging all the legitimate diversity promotes respect, harmony and collaboration.