Page 104 - CONSCIENCISM By Kwame Nkrumah_Neat
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98 CONSCIENCISM CONSCIENCISM 99
they were endowing it with what matter would need to initiate struggle for emancipation as an indispensable first step towards
qualitative and substantial changes. securing economic independence and integrity.
When a plurality ofmen exist in society, and it is accepted that I said earlier on that consciencism regards matter as a plenum of
each man needs to be treated as an end in himself, not merely as a forces in tension; and that in its dialectical aspect, it holds categorial
means, there transpires a transition from ethics to politics. Politics conversion to be possible by a critical disposition of matter. This
become actual, for institutions need to be created to regulate the gives us a clue how to analyse the fact ofcolonialism, not only in
behaviour and actions of the plurality ofmen in society in such a Africa, but indeed everywhere. It also gives us a clue how to defeat
way as to conserve the fundamental ethical principle ofthe initial it.
worthiness of each individual. Philosophical consciencism con In a colonial situation, there are forces which tend to promote
sequently adumbrates a political theory and a social-political colonialism, to promote those political ties by means of which a
practice which together seek to ensure that the cardinal principles colonialist country binds its colonies to itself with the primary
ofethics are effective. object of furthering her economic advantages. Colonialism
The social-political practice is directed at preventing the requires exertion, and much of that exertion is taken up by the
emergence or the solidifying of classes, for in the Marxist con combat of progressive forces, forces which seek to negate this
ception ofclass structure, there is exploitation and the subjection of oppressive enterprise ofgreedy individuals and classes by means of
class to class. Exploitation and class-subjection are alike contrary to which an egotistical imposition of the strong is made upon the
consciencism. By reason of its egalitarian tenet, philosophical weak.
consciencism seeks to promote individual development, but in Just as the placid appearance ofmatter only disguises the tension
such a way that the conditions for the development ofall become offorces underlying that appearance, like the bow ofHeraclitus, so
the conditions for the development ofeach; that is, in such a way in a colonial territory, an opposition of reactionary and revolu
that the individual development does not introduce such diversities tionary forces can nevertheless give an impression of final and
as to destroy the egalitarian basis. The social-political practice also acquiescent subjugation. But just as a quality can be changed by
seeks to co-ordinate social forces in such a way as to mobilize them quantitative (measurable) changes ofa critical nature in matter, so
logistically for the maximum development of society along true this acquiescent impression can be obliterated by a change in the
egalitarian lines. For this, planned development is essential. relation of the social forces. These opposing sets of forces are
In its political aspect, philosophical consciencism is faced with dynamic, in the sense that they seek and tend to establish some
the realities of colonialism, imperialism, disunity and lack of social condition. One may therefore refer to them by the name of
development. Singly and collectively these four militate against the action in order to make their dynamic nature explicit. In that case,
realization ofa social justice based on ideas oftrue equality. one may say that in a colonial situation positive action and negative
The first step is to liquidate colonialism wherever it is. In Towards action can be discerned. Positive action will represent the sum of
Colonial Freedom I stated that it is the aim ofcolonial governments those forces seeking social justice in terms of the destruction of
to treat their colonies as producers of raw materials, and at the oligarchic exploitation and oppression. Negative action will
same time as the dumping-ground of the manufactured goods of correspondingly represent the sum of those forces tending to
foreign industrialists and foreign capitalists. I have always believed prolong colonial subjugation and exploitation. Positive action is
that the basis ofcolonialism is economic, but the solution of the revolutionary and negative action is reactionary.
colonial problem lies in political action, in a fierce and constant It ought to be recognized at the outset that the introduced terms
