Epistemic Analysis of Kantian Ethics of Duty Call vis-a-vis Paranormal in Nigerian Society Among Nigerian Clergymen

Abstract

This work is geared to carry out epistemic analysis of Kantian ethics of duty call vis-à-vis paranormal in Nigerian society among clergymen. The recent changes in Nigerian and other African countries like colonialism that brought Western education, globalization, urbanization, and new religion (Islam and Christianity) have made it that divination in traditional African religion is no longer in vogue in this contemporary period. Divination and fortune telling have taken a new dimension in form of faith healing and miracles by some prophets and so called men of God like pastors, priests, and imam. The quest for materialism among the ministers and clerics of Islamic, Christian and traditional religion has made them abuse their religious calling for their selfish interests. This work makes use of analytic and critical methods of data analysis. This work postulates that Immanuel Kant’s ethics of duty call serves to provide a guiding principle to Nigeria clergymen of different religions on the need for them to carry out their religious duties out of good will. On the other hand, twisting or distorting the teachings of their religion to serve their various selfish interests contravenes Immanuel Kant’s ethics of duty call. Finally, they have to contribute positively to nation building by propagating or fostering the positive ideology, theories, or doctrines that will promote love and national unity in a multicultural country like Nigeria.