\u201cI am because we are\u201d<\/strong>, and that the concept itself undergoes transformation under the new material of digital space. Describing this mutual transformation is the task of this essay.<\/p>\n![\"Analytical](\"{{WP_MEDIA:en-philo-igf-2007-rio-ubuntu-philosophy_h1.svg}}\")
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Ubuntu digital community<\/h2>\n
The sense of agenda brought to IGF by participants from Brazil (especially African nations) often carries Ubuntu personhood as background. \u30a2\u30af\u30bb\u30b9 can be re-evaluated from the priority of community inclusion.<\/p>\n
The conference theme "Internet Governance for Development" carries implications beyond a mere policy slogan. It can be positioned as a contemporary reformulation, in digital-era vocabulary, of the kinds of questions John Mbiti \/ Desmond Tutu problematized.<\/p>\n
The form of the Global IGF stands between the principle of national sovereignty and the logic of a global public realm that transcends it.<\/p>\n
Relational personhood<\/h2>\n
John Mbiti \/ Desmond Tutu's concepts are not confined to abstract philosophical discussion; they apply to the concrete agenda items debated at the 2007 conference. We examine that application below.<\/p>\n
1. Application to "\u30a2\u30af\u30bb\u30b9"<\/h3>\n
Discussion of "\u30a2\u30af\u30bb\u30b9" can be positioned, from the perspective of John Mbiti \/ Desmond Tutu's \u201cI am because we are\u201d<\/strong>, as a central problematic. In Brazil's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around \u30a2\u30af\u30bb\u30b9 are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n2. Application to "\u91cd\u8981\u306a\u30a4\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc\u30cd\u30c3\u30c8\u8cc7\u6e90"<\/h3>\n
Discussion of "\u91cd\u8981\u306a\u30a4\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc\u30cd\u30c3\u30c8\u8cc7\u6e90" can be positioned, from the perspective of John Mbiti \/ Desmond Tutu's \u201cI am because we are\u201d<\/strong>, as a derivative problematic. In Brazil's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around \u91cd\u8981\u306a\u30a4\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc\u30cd\u30c3\u30c8\u8cc7\u6e90 are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n3. Application to "\u591a\u69d8\u6027"<\/h3>\n
Discussion of "\u591a\u69d8\u6027" can be positioned, from the perspective of John Mbiti \/ Desmond Tutu's \u201cI am because we are\u201d<\/strong>, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Brazil's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around \u591a\u69d8\u6027 are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n4. Application to "\u958b\u653e\u6027"<\/h3>\n
Discussion of "\u958b\u653e\u6027" can be positioned, from the perspective of John Mbiti \/ Desmond Tutu's \u201cI am because we are\u201d<\/strong>, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Brazil's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around \u958b\u653e\u6027 are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n5. Application to "\u30bb\u30ad\u30e5\u30ea\u30c6\u30a3"<\/h3>\n
Discussion of "\u30bb\u30ad\u30e5\u30ea\u30c6\u30a3" can be positioned, from the perspective of John Mbiti \/ Desmond Tutu's \u201cI am because we are\u201d<\/strong>, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Brazil's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around \u30bb\u30ad\u30e5\u30ea\u30c6\u30a3 are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n![\"Philosophical](\"{{WP_MEDIA:en-philo-igf-2007-rio-ubuntu-philosophy_h2.svg}}\")
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Implications for Executives and Practitioners<\/h2>\n
The philosophical reflection of this essay is not merely academic. The John Mbiti \/ Desmond Tutu perspective carries three practical implications for executives operating in Brazil.<\/p>\n
First, it raises the reflexive question of how the firm's business model connects to the logic of \u201cI am because we are\u201d<\/strong>. Second, in dialogue with regulators and civil society, it suggests dimensions of consensus formation that purely technical arguments cannot reach. Third, it indicates that the long-term ground of business legitimacy lies not so much in technical advantage or market share as in participation in such philosophical-normative debates.<\/p>\nAcademic Positioning and Future Research<\/h2>\n
The argument of this essay attempts to graft a philosophical perspective onto the mainstream political-science and legal approaches to internet governance research. Three future research questions follow.<\/p>\n
\n- Verification of the applicability of John Mbiti \/ Desmond Tutu's framework to other IGF conferences<\/li>\n
- Comparative contrast between African Philosophy<\/strong> and other theoretical traditions<\/li>\n
- Exploration of dialogue possibilities with the indigenous intellectual traditions of Brazil<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
In particular, the third point has the potential to liberate IGF research from West-centric debate and open a more multi-layered discursive space.<\/p>\n
\nPrimary Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"Thumbnail\"](\"{{WP_MEDIA:en-philo-igf-2007-rio-ubuntu-philosophy_thumbnail.svg}}\")
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