The Metaphysics of ESe and the Question of Inalterability of Destiny in YoruBa Culture

Inalterability of destiny is one of the major issues of philosophical contention in, and among Yorùbá scholars. It has garnered quite a number of arguments in its favour and otherwise. While, some scholars contend that the traditional understanding of destiny suggested inalterability of destiny, to others the reverse is the case. Thus, the polemics that shrouds the essence and nature of destiny in Yorùbá culture raises the question of e̩sè̩ (struggle) in Yorùbá ontological and mythological analysis of the concept of destiny. The paper, anchored its argument on the Yorùbá saying ibi orí ń gbé ni lo, k’é̩sè̩ máà sini l’ónà – where the head is taking one to, may the leg not mislead one, to repudiate the inalterability of destiny in Yorùbá culture. Hence, the paper, using philosophical methods of investigation, projects the notion of e̩sè̩ (struggle) as fourth element that constitute the entirety of human person in Yorùbá culture.