The Need For a Contemporary Nigerian Philosophy to be Taught at Every Level of Nigeria’s Educational Programme

This paper while acknowledging the importance of an in-depth study of Western philosophy as well as African philosophy for students of philosophy department holds that this content will not bring about the ethical, socio-political and economic reengineering very much needed in Nigeria. It is the contention of this paper that there is great need for social value reorientation in Nigeria and philosophy should provide the hub for this reengineering of the Nigerian society. The paper argues that there is a big vacuum at the base of Nigeria’s educational system where the students lack any philosophical sense of direction and do not as much as know the philosophy that underlies the societal way of life. The paper employing a critical philosophical appraisal of the current state of affairs argues that philosophy should not only be merely introduced to university students as one of the general courses studied for one semester, it should be studied from the nursery/primary school level through the secondary school to the university level. The content according to this paper should be well articulated as Contemporary Nigerian Philosophy with emphasis on moral leadership training with focus to incorporate future leaders into national values as well as inculcate in them a sense of patriotism which will help address the current ethical, socio-political and economic problems confronting the present day Nigerian society. The paper concluded by advocating the philosophical formulation of a generally acceptable value design to be copied by every segment of the society which will be taught as Contemporary Nigerian Philosophy at all levels of the Nigerian educational program and for all students whether in public or private schools

The Socio-Ethical Principle of Subsidiarity: A Philosophical Appraisal of Its Relevance in the Contemporary World

This paper is a critical exposition of the socio-ethical principle of subsidiarity with a view to establishing its continued ethical, socio-political and economic viability in the contemporary world. The paper is prompted by the fact that the human society in its search for catalysts to propel its development and wellbeing is a victim of the propagation and application of many faulty theories and principles that offer only limited solutions both in scope and time. Employing the critical expository method the paper reviews the historical origin of this principle, its political and socio-ethical dimensions, its scope of application, its difference from other related principles as well as its effects and relevance in the present day world. In appraising the value of subsidiarity the paper presents it as a principle which advocates the recognition and employment of the freedom, creativity and industry of the individual and lesser social entities by the higher authorities for the accomplishment of the common good. In conclusion the paper holds that subsidiarity is not an outdated principle but a very potent one which is highly recommended for socio-political and economic development. Keywords: Subsidiarity, Socio-ethical principle, Philosophical appraisal,    Relevance, Contemporary world

A Philosophical Appraisal of Miracle in the Light of Its Multiple Claims in the Contemporary Nigerian Society

A miracle is an extraordinary event in the physical world that apparently surpasses all known human or natural power and is beyond any natural or scientific explanation. The problem of the unending multiplicity of churches in the contemporary Nigerian society can be traced to the multiple claims of miracles by Christian religious ministers. This paper presents an unbiased philosophical assessment of the concept of miracle with particular reference to Christian religion so as to determine the veracity of these claims. Employing a critical expository method, the paper examines the concept miracle from its etymology to its exclusive and inclusive meanings. It also examines the criteria for accepting miracles in the strict sense as well as some philosophical positions on miracles including some denials of its possibility. In reviewing the many claims of miracles, both the frivolous claims and the authenticated instances that confirm its possibility, the paper equivocally affirmed the reality of miracles but decried the many false claims of it by some contemporary Nigerian religious ministers who stage-manage fake “miracles”. In conclusion the paper affirmed that most of the publicized apparently miraculous events in many contemporary Christian denominations in Nigeria are not miracles in the strict sense. Keywords: Miracle, Magic, Contemporary Nigerian Churches, Philosophical Appraisal

David Hume’s Notion of Perception and his Problem with Causality

This work is a critical exposition of the core aspects of Hume’s empiricist epistemological views. The epistemological problem of the origin, scope and certainty of knowledge was a subject of fierce debate between the Continental Rationalists and the British Empiricists. While the rationalists argued for the supremacy of reason, the empiricists stood for experience. As an empiricist Hume believed that certain knowledge is only gained through experience which consists of sensations, emotions and passions. Hume reduced the contents of the mind to perception which he divided into impressions and ideas. He also copiously addressed the idea of causality questioning the impressions that provide one with such an idea. This work employing the critical and expository methods surveyed the key points in Hume’s discussion on perception and the association of ideas as well as Hume’s analysis of the idea of causality. It gave a background of the empiricists project before presenting his epistemological theory of perception. The work further treated Hume’s position with regard to the association of ideas and his analysis of causality. In the area of causality, the work critically looked at Hume’s consideration of temporal succession, contiguity and necessary connection. In conclusion the work praised Hume’s courageous, rigorous and consistent empiricist stance whose intensity led to a skeptic logical conclusion which is a necessary “antidote to dogmatism and fanaticism.”Key Words: Causality, Empiricism, Ideas, Impression, Perceptio

ROBERT HALL ON PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR MEDICAL ETHICS

The practice of physician-assisted suicide has been a complex and controversial issue in bio-medical ethics. Bioethicists, philosophers, theologians and scholars from different fields continue to make contributions to this age long practice. Contributing to this controversial issue Robert Hall a professor of philosophy in his paper Physician-Assisted Suicide Should be Legalized, argues that such assistance is ethical, humane and should be legalized. This is problematic and worrisome. However, from the Deontologic perspective, this paper argues that such assistance is unethical and not in tandem to medical ethics. Contributing to this discussion this paper further argues that Hall’s view is problematic and if accepted it will definitely turn the physician from a health care giver to a death inducer. This paper adopted the method of textual analysis and it is purely argumentativ