Traditional Ethics and Social Stability: The African experience

Abstract

Traditional ethics in this paper refers to the norms, precepts, principles and moral codes, which regulate the conduct and actions of individuals in African societies. The paper provides a clear understanding of African Ethics and morality. It shows how traditional ethical principles helped to maintain and ensure social order and stability in traditional African societies. It x-rays the effects of Western civilization and culture on the smooth functioning of traditional ethics. It recommends the utilization of traditional ethical principles in the development of the abundant human and material resources in modern Africa, especially in this age of globalization. The paper finally, advocates a harmonization of the positive elements of traditional ethics with Western culture for a better moral society in contemporary Africa. SOPHIA: An African Journal of Philosophy Vol. 9 (1) 2006: pp. 143-147