Papers by Felix Ayemere Airoboman
Journal of Philosophy and Ethics, Dec 31, 2022
This study examines Esan ontology and how it impinges on her perception of reality. It presents a... more This study examines Esan ontology and how it impinges on her perception of reality. It presents a brief biography of Esan to enable an understanding of the Esan person, people, language, territory and culture. Thereafter, the study attempts a general, but brief explication of the concept of ontology, and ontology as a background to understanding reality in Esan thought. It analyses, in some detail, some Esan ontological beliefs such as the structure of being, animation, totemism, and the hereafter, including her metaphysical conceptions of causality. It concurrently, but intermittently, identifies where the Esan perceptions align with or diverge from the views of some other cultures and the perspectives of some other scholars. The study argues that in the Esan worldview, realities are not ontologically distinct, but conjoined. It contends that in this worldview, there is a network of relationships, which exists among beings, and this network is sustained in harmony. The study also argues, but sparingly, that Esan ontology enforces human obligation to co-humans, nature and future generations of people. It argues further that these ontological beliefs constitute the foundation of the union of beings, and this union constitutes the bedrock for the harmony of whole reality in indigenous Esan thought. The study employs the expository method and the methods of critical and conceptual analyses. It concludes that this Esan conception of the ontological union of being that is based on conviction, rather than prescription, is germane to workable social and moral relations among beings, including the moral relationship with the natural environment.
Synthesis Philosophica, Sep 24, 2023
This study is an inductive approach to investigating and acquiring knowledge of nature in African... more This study is an inductive approach to investigating and acquiring knowledge of nature in African culture. It begins, without any assumption of foreknowledge, but without any overindulgence, with a brief exposition of the meaning of induction. It analyses, defuses and rejects the attempted arguments made recently by some scholars that induction is not a part of the African reasoning faculty, that it is western exclusive and that most traditional beliefs are irrational, superstitious and non-inferential. It continues with a brief analysis of the African engagement with inductive reasoning, and thereafter, connects induction and the natural environment by concretely analysing some ways the African understands and acquires knowledge of the natural environment through inductive reasoning particularly in traditional African society. It made a demonstrative inquiry into these ways with medicine, agriculture, science, technology, time, and season, among others, and how such thought patterns and the resultant knowledge informs the African beliefs and practices. The study concurrently argues that the African inductive understanding of nature is a demonstration of the inductive creativity, skill and competence of traditional African people. It concludes by arguing that if it is established that the traditional Africans acquire knowledge of nature inductively and shows how this knowledge is acquired, it would concurrently have been established that Africans are capable of inductive logic, whose components includes inferences and rationality. The study adopts the conceptual and critical methods of philosophical analyses.
This study examines Esan ontology and how it impinges on her perception of reality. It presents a... more This study examines Esan ontology and how it impinges on her perception of reality. It presents a brief biography of Esan to enable an understanding of the Esan person, people, language, territory and culture. Thereafter, the study attempts a general, but brief explication of the concept of ontology, and ontology as a background to understanding reality in Esan thought. It analyses, in some detail, some Esan ontological beliefs such as the structure of being, animation, totemism, and the hereafter, including her metaphysical conceptions of causality. It concurrently, but intermittently, identifies where the Esan perceptions align with or diverge from the views of some other cultures and the perspectives of some other scholars. The study argues that in the Esan worldview, realities are not ontologically distinct, but conjoined. It contends that in this worldview, there is a network of relationships, which exists among beings, and this network is sustained in harmony. The study also argues, but sparingly, that Esan ontology enforces human obligation to co-humans, nature and future generations of people. It argues further that these ontological beliefs constitute the foundation of the union of beings, and this union constitutes the bedrock for the harmony of whole reality in indigenous Esan thought. The study employs the expository method and the methods of critical and conceptual analyses. It concludes that this Esan conception of the ontological union of being that is based on conviction, rather than prescription, is germane to workable social and moral relations among beings, including the moral relationship with the natural environment.
This study examines Esan ontology and how it impinges on her perception of reality. It presents a... more This study examines Esan ontology and how it impinges on her perception of reality. It presents a brief biography of Esan to enable an understanding of the Esan person, people, language, territory and culture. Thereafter, the study attempts a general, but brief explication of the concept of ontology, and ontology as a background to understanding reality in Esan thought. It analyses, in some detail, some Esan ontological beliefs such as the structure of being, animation, totemism, and the hereafter, including her metaphysical conceptions of causality. It concurrently, but intermittently, identifies where the Esan perceptions align with or diverge from the views of some other cultures and the perspectives of some other scholars. The study argues that in the Esan worldview, realities are not ontologically distinct, but conjoined. It contends that in this worldview, there is a network of relationships, which exists among beings, and this network is sustained in harmony. The study also argues, but sparingly, that Esan ontology enforces human obligation to co-humans, nature and future generations of people. It argues further that these ontological beliefs constitute the foundation of the union of beings, and this union constitutes the bedrock for the harmony of whole reality in indigenous Esan thought. The study employs the expository method and the methods of critical and conceptual analyses. It concludes that this Esan conception of the ontological union of being that is based on conviction, rather than prescription, is germane to workable social and moral relations among beings, including the moral relationship with the natural environment.
Springer eBooks, 2021
The global Anticipated Energy Transition Period (AETP) is one that all stakeholders must embrace ... more The global Anticipated Energy Transition Period (AETP) is one that all stakeholders must embrace with respect to curbing energy poverty, thereby addressing issues related to climate change especially in the sub-Saharan region of Africa. The region is endowed with abundant richer, cleaner, and affordable energy sources, majority of which has remained untapped due to many reasons, one of which is tied to the socio-cultural traditional beliefs and value systems of the This chapter was previously published non-open access with exclusive rights reserved by the Publisher. It has been changed retrospectively to open access under a CC BY 4.0 license and the copyright holder is "The Author(s)". For further details, please see the license information at the end of the chapter.
Felix Ayemere Airoboman, 2017
This study is a critical inquiry into divine command theory of morality. The study begins by trac... more This study is a critical inquiry into divine command theory of morality. The study begins by tracing the root of this theory in ancient philosophy. It posits the basic claims of the theory and the grounds on which human obedience to divine commands can be authenticated. It further examines some arguments raised by some philosophers against this theory which make it less plausible and unappealing. It queries the veracity of some of these arguments. Consequently, it examines some arguments in favour of the theory offered by some other philosophers to sustain the authenticity and plausibility of the theory. It argues that although divine command theory seems to blur the differences between law and morality, it nonetheless has the merit of addressing some problems inherent in other moral theories. It argues that the theory seems to be the most popular, widespread and appealing in guiding the concrete moral behaviour of people in their daily living. The study concludes that the theory is the most objective and universal among existing normative moral theories.
Journal of Research in National Development, 2012
Journal of Research in National Development, 2011
This study argues that the natural environment impinges on the metaphysical worldview of the Esan... more This study argues that the natural environment impinges on the metaphysical worldview of the Esan people and the interplay between geography and ontology influences human moral obligations to the natural environment. Existing literature focuses on how metaphysical worldview influences the life of people and how people manipulate their environment. Without denying this fact, this study engages in the reverse of this dominant view by focusing on how this worldview itself is influenced or dictated by the environment and how the natural environment dictates the life pattern of people. It argues that an ontological understanding of the world is crucial in determining how people meaningfully organize their lives and societies. It then analyses in some detail how the geographical features in Esan land determine the ontology of the Esan people, and in consequence, influence their basic metaphysical beliefs about nature, religion, culture, and the totality of reality. The study argues that since people's metaphysical worldview is intertwined with their everyday living, the interface between nature and ontology draws some affinities between humans and nature. It argues further that nature, or some parts of it, have some relevance in themselves, and play some unique roles such as complementarity, and physical and psycho-spiritual satisfaction, amongst others, which ensure the moral and socio-spiritual harmony of the people, and which would be a veritable foundation upon which human moral obligation to nature can be established. The study adopts
This study argues that the natural environment impinges on the metaphysical worldview of the Esan... more This study argues that the natural environment impinges on the metaphysical worldview of the Esan people and the interplay between geography and ontology influences human moral obligations to the natural environment. Existing literature focuses on how metaphysical worldview influences the life of people and how people manipulate their environment. Without denying this fact, this study engages in the reverse of this dominant view by focusing on how this worldview itself is influenced or dictated by the environment and how the natural environment dictates the life pattern of people. It argues that an ontological understanding of the world is crucial in determining how people meaningfully organize their lives and societies. It then analyses in some detail how the geographical features in Esan land determine the ontology of the Esan people, and in consequence, influence their basic metaphysical beliefs about nature, religion, culture, and the totality of reality. The study argues that since people's metaphysical worldview is intertwined with their everyday living, the interface between nature and ontology draws some affinities between humans and nature. It argues further that nature, or some parts of it, have some relevance in themselves, and play some unique roles such as complementarity, and physical and psycho-spiritual satisfaction, amongst others, which ensure the moral and socio-spiritual harmony of the people, and which would be a veritable foundation upon which human moral obligation to nature can be established. The study adopts
This study argues that the natural environment impinges on the metaphysical worldview of the Esan... more This study argues that the natural environment impinges on the metaphysical worldview of the Esan people and the interplay between geography and ontology influences human moral obligations to the natural environment. Existing literature focuses on how metaphysical worldview influences the life of people and how people manipulate their environment. Without denying this fact, this study engages in the reverse of this dominant view by focusing on how this worldview itself is influenced or dictated by the environment and how the natural environment dictates the life pattern of people. It argues that an ontological understanding of the world is crucial in determining how people meaningfully organize their lives and societies. It then analyses in some detail how the geographical features in Esan land determine the ontology of the Esan people, and in consequence, influence their basic metaphysical beliefs about nature, religion, culture, and the totality of reality. The study argues that since people's metaphysical worldview is intertwined with their everyday living, the interface between nature and ontology draws some affinities between humans and nature. It argues further that nature, or some parts of it, have some relevance in themselves, and play some unique roles such as complementarity, and physical and psycho-spiritual satisfaction, amongst others, which ensure the moral and socio-spiritual harmony of the people, and which would be a veritable foundation upon which human moral obligation to nature can be established. The study adopts
This study is a critical reflection on the illustrative allegory of the cave taught by Plato in A... more This study is a critical reflection on the illustrative allegory of the cave taught by Plato in Ancient period and the implication it has for our time. This allegory is one of the numerous metaphysical and epistemological doctrines which Plato uses to make a distinction between appearance and reality and teaches how to come to term with reality. This allegory captures the reality of our time copiously and emblematically. The study begins by reiterating the doctrine of the allegory of the cave. It attempts an analysis of what Plato uses it to depict in his time. Thereafter, it inquires by way of analysis into the implications which this allegory have for modern living. It pictures Plato's mind on how the allegory constitutes criticisms of our everyday life. It x-rays the role of education in liberation, and by extension, the role of the educated, who have been liberated from the bondage of ignorance and who have broken the shackles of intellectual and political imprisonment, in liberating others. The study also attempts to exposit the distempers of reality in present day living and the role of the philosopher in liberating mission. It concludes with the position of T.Z. Lavine that Plato's Allegory of the cave is an allegory of despair and hope for contemporary world.
Although environmental ethics as a systematized discipline is new in philosophy, philosophical re... more Although environmental ethics as a systematized discipline is new in philosophy, philosophical reflection about the natural environment is as old as the discipline of philosophy. Such reflections in the history of philosophy are generated either through the wonders of nature, the self presenting character of nature, the human desire to understand the nature of the natural environment and the challenges posed by human intervention with nature. This study attempts to project some of such philosophical thoughts about the natural environment in the history of philosophy. It makes selections of some philosophers in the different historical periods who had explicit or implicit thoughts from which some environmental considerations can be gleaned, and then, project their views which may enhance our understanding of the environment, and influence our attitudes toward it, directly or indirectly. Such philosophers include the Milesians, Plato, Aristotle,
Environmental problems constitute challenges to ecological prosperity. This study analyses such p... more Environmental problems constitute challenges to ecological prosperity. This study analyses such problems and their implication for environmental ethics. The study argues that most of the resources of nature are not readily available for human ends. For this reason, people exploit and modify the environment to ensure congenial living. This utilitarian intervention, inevitably, leads to some inseparable negative consequences, which now put the environment and its inhabitants in danger of survival and harmonious living contrary to their original aim and intention. The study stipulates that environmental problems are not new, except the intensity and the amount of attentions they now attract. It embarks on a wide-range analysis of some of these problems, assuage these problems, prevent reoccurrence, and ensure environmental sustainability, human survival and harmonious living.
This essay is a contemporary rethinking and analysis of Plato's notion of reality and its implica... more This essay is a contemporary rethinking and analysis of Plato's notion of reality and its implications for contemporary world. It traces the route to Plato's notion of reality to Heraclitus, Parmenides and Pythagoras, and then makes a briefsurvey of Plato's theories of Forms, the divided line, the allegory of the cave and reminiscence and draws the connections between them. The study locates the points of intersection betweenPlato's cave and the real world, and between Plato's time and contemporary time. It inquires into why people are attracted or dragged to unreality and why they often pitch tent with unreality and find it easier to adapt to it rather than to reality. It argues further that despite the problems associated with unreality, it has some relevance to those who are accustomed to it. It then inquires into possible difficulty which will characterize the lives of those who are already adapted to unreality when detached fromit-the bliss of falsehood-and exposed to the pain of truth.It contends that in concrete term appearance or unreality has some roles to play in the understanding of reality. It then explicates some of these roles. Conclusively, it cautions against being trapped in unreality because of the difficulties involved in detaching from it and in knowing that one is actually entrapped in it.
The effect of population pressure on the environment has increasingly become a subject of intensi... more The effect of population pressure on the environment has increasingly become a subject of intensive scholarly debate globally. This focus stems largely from the existential questions that attend environmental degradation and the scarcity of resources arising therefrom. History is replete with instances where an imbalance in the ratio of population to environmental resources resulted in cataclysmic dislocations in societal well-being. This study interrogates this phenomenon philosophically, albeit with copious reference to historical examples such as the 18th century Mfecane in Southern Africa, the collapse of Mycenaean Greece, Easter Island, the Classic Lowland Maya civilization, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Great Zimbabwe in Africa, Norse of Greenland and the Indus valley civilization. Population pressure could precipitate pollution, poverty, war, land-hunger, deforestation, desertification, extinction of species, scarcity of fresh water, a decline of fish and game stocks and biodiversity. The collapse of an entire civilization becomes possible when these problems are ignored as humans exploit environmental resources to meet their needs. Therefore, this study posits that overpopulation has multifaceted destructive consequences for the environment, mutatis mutandis, humans and their societies and debunks the postulation, which John Zeaman noted, and increasingly referred to as the "Netherlands fallacy". The position of this fallacy is that we have nothing to fear from high population because the Netherlands enjoy a high standard of living, despite its high population density. The study draws attention to the need for population control, relative to available resources and human needs. The study adopts the philosophical methods of conceptual and critical analyses.
The traditional model of preventive healthcare has remained a neglected theme in academic discour... more The traditional model of preventive healthcare has remained a neglected theme in academic discourse in Nigeria despite the space it occupied in the health practices of the people. This is largely because the system operated with a cultic flavour that tended to defy scientific explanation. This study, focusing on western Nigeria, gives account of developments in this domain of medicine and therefore incorporates elements such as divination, use of amulets and traditional inoculation. The study also examines other preventive healthcare services such as sanitation, isolation of patients and the use of herbal decoctions and the associated taboos. The study relies largely on the information obtained from the national archives Ibadan, Nigeria and oral interviews with some orthodox and traditional healthcare professionals.
This essay examines the crises of opinion regarding the nature and character of environmental pro... more This essay examines the crises of opinion regarding the nature and character of environmental problems in the world today. The essay examines two philosophical positions in the debate on environmental degradation-the position of persons commonly referred to as ecological pessimists and that of persons commonly regarded as ecological optimists, thereafter, the study proceeds to adopt the position of ecological optimists, who trust in human and technological ingenuity in resolving any environmental problem. Next, study attempts a philosophical gaze at the debate arguing in consequence that due to the glaring, deplorable state of the environment, it is wiser
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Papers by Felix Ayemere Airoboman