Religion.

Kant’s Epistemological Model in Pluralistic Hypothesis: From an Interpretation of Religion in Africa (Published)

Here in this work, I tried to examined the nature of African traditional religion and explore the relative terms of its references on the concept of God; the definition and explanation of the concept of God as it pertains to the traditional cultures; the distinction between one’s religion’s tradition and another; and the explanation and analysis of the relationship between God and man on the other hand. My plight in this work is to draw an inference, a sort of examination of conscience in religion in certain ways that it appeals to African conditions to knowledge, and just as Kant elucidated in the Critique of Pure Reason. In doing this therefore, my objective is to find the real essence of religious pragmatism and traditionalism in African indigenous religion with reference to its point of reality in other religions. Thus, it is considerably under this panoply, that I envisioned the realism in Kant’s epistemological model to repudiate the reality of God in pluralistic hypothesis. So, the finding of this research supports the thesis that phenomena and their appearances are based upon the interpretations of reality. Things appear differently in our mind and our understanding differs.

 

Keywords: God, Religion., perception and appearances, pluralistic hypothesis, pragmatism and traditionalism

Influence of Religion On the Political Parties’ Affiliations and Elections in Uganda: The Case of Iganga District (Published)

This study examined the influence of religion on the political Parties’ affiliation and elections in Iganga District. The study used a cross-sectional survey research design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study used 700 respondents identified using simple random, purposive and snow ball sampling techniques. These included religious leaders, political and traditional leaders, and voters. Data was analysed using Chi-square test of goodness of fit and thematic analysis. The study discovered that Political party affiliation is not linked to religion apart from the traditional political parties, and religious leaders and their institutions are turned into mobilization centers consequently influencing them politically. The study recommended that religious leaders should try to unite the people in the region amidst confusion and divisionism caused by politics. In addition, Religious leaders and political leaders should therefore desist from activities which compromise with their religious and leadership ethics, thus campaigns or political gatherings should take place entirely out of the worship centers. They should not allow religion to be politicized.

Keywords: Elections, Iganga district, Political Parties, Religion., Uganda., affiliation

Philosophical Anthropology and the Concept of Human Nature in the Contemporary Society (Published)

The problem is that, in contemporary society in which we live, there seems to be a negligence in identifying what is in conformity with human nature than the contrary. The over-riding issue is “workability” whether good or bad, to the detriment of goodness (virtue). Analytically, this work sets out to underscore the fact that prior to the contemporary society, virtuous living thrived so much. It was observed that there was a shift from the ocentricism to secularism. Cultural infiltrations balked the long existing primordial cultures, diverting man’s attention to what is in vogue without any consideration to its incongruity to human nature. Therefore, for man to re-determine himself, there must be a counter-shift to virtuous living in tandem with his nature.

Citation: Ugochukwu O.S. (2023) Philosophical Anthropology and the Concept of Human Nature in the Contemporary Society, International Journal of History and Philosophical Research, Vol.11, No.1, pp.1-5

Keywords: Culture, Human nature, Morality, Religion., contemporary society

Exploring the Constructs of Derrida’s Religiosity in the Teachings of the Gita: A Comparative Study (Published)

The questions on religion and God have always been perplexing and they have remained as issues in academia. This has become more burning issue since Derrida’s introduction of deconstruction to academia in 1960s as both Derrida’s personality and deconstruction remained controversial regarding these issues. So in this paper I have reviewed the studies on Derrida and deconstruction in relation to religion and God with the purpose to find out the constructs to identify Derrida’s religiosity and its similarities with the teachings of the Gita. Then I have employed these constructs to explore the teachings of the Gita as a comparative study and identified that the constructs of Derrida’s religiosity go in the line with the teachings of the Gita. Thus both of them suggest the deconstructive understanding of religion and God; they identify religion as the pursuit of the truth and justice and God as the undeconstructible, a sacred reality; they are comprehensive and inclusive of all as they are guided by a quasi-transcendental logic and deconstructive belief. Thus, this study has made a significant foundation for the study of postmodern spirituality and its enhancement for promoting interspirituality and sustainable peace in the world.

Keywords: Derrida, Derrida's Religiosity, God, Postmodern Spirituality, Religion., Teachings of the Gita, deconstruction, interspirituality

Analysis of Issues of Religion and the Fight against Terrorism (Published)

Religion, just like culture, is a way of life, which is built upon faith in a given factor, attribute or being. It is the faith that builds up how the individual who is entangled to the religion would conduct himself in any given circumstance. The concept of religion is a way or mode of faith or belief which a person has taken for a given period. It requires a complete emotional, physical, spiritual and psychological being of any follower. Religion is faith in anything in expectation of a reward or aid; either in the present life and world or in another. The teachings of various religious groups operate in a way and manner wherein the people of a given religion see themselves only as worthy of the expected reward and others as not being worthy of any reward and thus, infidels. This, in line with other factors; to some extent, create a form of radicalism and indoctrination amongst the followers. Religion has a way of compelling its followers to abide by any directive and prescription given in line with the doctrines and beliefs of the religion. Terrorism, on the other hand, has to do with any form of violence or conduct which is at the expense of the peaceful co-existence of the people of a given area at any given time; which tend to be seen as internal aggression or external insurrection against the state. Arguments have it that the issues relating to religion do in one way or the other relates to terrorism; while others say that the role of religion is not to provoke but to quell terrorism. In whatever dimension; this paper is meant to make a discourse on the issues of religion and the fight against terrorism. The paper will have a global view of the major concepts, with close instances of the issues of religion and terrorism as it enclosed on the Sub-Saharan countries; most especially Nigeria.

Keywords: Religion., Terrorism, external insurrection, indoctrination, internal aggression, radicalism

Boko Haram: The Birth, Geography and Hypotheses Responsible For the Sustenance of the Conflict in Nigeria (Published)

There are many states on the northern border of Nigeria with Niger, Chad and Cameroon. And in these states, there are many ethnic groups. However, it is only the Kanuri enclave of Borno and Yobe states that produced the radical Islamic boko haram sect. It is the informed position of this paper that one of the reasons why the Kanuri gestated boko haram was largely due to the international territorial advantage they have. The reason is that the Kanuri is the only ethnic group in northern Nigeria that undistorted distribution into neighbouring countries of Chad, Cameroon and Niger, with the special feature of almost uninterrupted spread. Therefore, the paper argues that this geographical advantage certainly has a fundamental role in the on-going conflict of the boko haram. It is also the submission of this paper that the version of Islam prevalent in the Kanuri enclave is predisposed to radicalism that boko haram prides with. It is common knowledge that since the conflict ensued, the Nigerian government has taken measures aimed at curtailing moments of attacks and frustrating the movement’s ambition. This desire is yet a success. Therefore, the paper appraises the methodologies so far employed, identifying why they have not worked, and probably why they will never work for this conflict that has lasted for a decade now.

Keywords: Boko Haram, Ethnic Identity, Kanuri, Politics, Religion., conspiracy

Why Secularism Failed to Become an Arab Socio-Political Culture? (Published)

The idea of “secularism” is still rejected within the Arab cognitive structure at the level of intellectual, social and political construction. So far, Arab secularists have failed to find popular acceptance for secularism within the Arab cultural- religious structure and socio political sphere. As a result, traditional religious discourse and values still dominate minds!! The purpose of this study is to discuss, analyze and explain why secularism has not become the culture and political ideology of the Arab peoples and governments. The researcher assumes that the reasons are due to: the neglect of the cultural factor by the Arab secularists, the marriage of Arab nationalism and religion, the emergence of political Islam’s movements, and the nature of Islamic religion that rejects reform. Therefore, the researcher recommends that, there is a pressing need for reproducing Arabs prevailing traditional culture by promoting, a civil culture that privatize religion and separates it from politics and state affairs

Keywords: Arabs, Islam, Reform, Religion., Secularism, history

The Epistemic Dimension of Symbolism in Science and the Supernatural . (Published)

The history of Symbolism as a theoretical entity can be juxtaposed with the history of human knowledge. Its major expression appears to be within the confines of supernaturalism exemplified in various religions of the world. Symbols represent ideals in Africa and acts as the mirror of the unseen. In formal and empirical sciences symbols are codified and universalized for general acceptability. The universal acceptability has a double entendre and this is of vital importance in epistemology. The importance of symbolism cannot be over emphasized. However, how reliable are symbols as mirrors to reality? To what extent do we say that a symbol is a true representation of the ideal or absolute knowledge? The purpose of this paper is to analyze the epistemological character of symbolism in human knowledge.

Keywords: Mathematical and logical Symbolism., Physical and Mental realities, Religion., Science, Symbols, Universality