DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

This paper takes a deep dive into the philosophy behind marriage taboos, or èèwọ, among the Yoruba people in Nigeria. We're looking at them from all angles: cultural, moral, and spiritual. In Yoruba tradition, marriage isn't just about two people; it's seen as a sacred bond that connects entire families, their ancestors, and even generations yet to come. This bond is kept strong by taboos that govern who can marry whom within a lineage, expectations of faithfulness, customs around widowhood, and various ritual practices. My approach here is to interpret and critically examine these ideas. I've been poring over Yoruba proverbs, myths, and folktales to really get at the core ethical ideas that underpin these traditions. To do this, I'm bringing in the perspectives of both African philosophers like Segun Gbadegesin, Kwasi Wiredu, and Oyèrónkẹ Oyěwùmí, as well as Western thinkers such as Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre. The big question I'm trying to answer is whether these taboos truly foster community harmony or if, in some cases, they actually lead to unfairness. What I found is a mixed bag: some of these taboos are really crucial for maintaining Yoruba identity and moral standards. However, others seem to strengthen patriarchal structures and limit individual freedom, particularly for women. Ultimately, I'm arguing that we need to be selective—preserving the valuable parts of this cultural heritage while also making reforms to ensure justice, dignity, and human rights for everyone.

This study presents an evaluation of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Social Contract Theory and explores its relevance to the Nigerian socio-political culture. Rousseau’s theory, expressed in his classical work, emphasizes that individuals give up certain freedoms in exchange for protection and civil order under a collective agreement. This contract creates a society governed by the general will, which represents the interest of all, thereby ensuring justice, equality, and the preservation of liberty. His ideas on sovereignty, popular participation, and the primacy of the common good remain central to political philosophy and provide a framework for understanding modern democratic governance. In the Nigerian context, the application of Rousseau’s Social Contract Theory reveals both its significance and its challenges. Nigeria, as a multi-ethnic and diverse nation, aspires to uphold democratic ideals, yet often faces political instability, corruption, and weak institutions that undermine the social contract between government and citizens. Rather than reflecting the general will, political power frequently serves personal or sectional interests, creating a disconnect between leadership and the governed. By drawing upon Rousseau’s vision of collective responsibility and accountability, Nigeria’s political culture can be critically examined with a view to reinforcing participatory governance, social justice, and inclusivity. However, the study also highlights limitations in directly applying Rousseau’s theory to Nigeria’s pluralistic society. The assumption of a unified will among citizens contrasts with Nigeria’s reality, where ethnic and religious divisions complicate the pursuit of a common purpose. The challenge, therefore, lies in adapting Rousseau’s principles to a diverse environment while ensuring respect for pluralism. The study concludes that Rousseau’s Social Contract Theory provides a useful philosophical framework for critiquing governance in Nigeria. While not a perfect fit, its ideals of equality, justice, and accountability offer a valuable lens for strengthening Nigeria’s democratic culture and addressing its socio- political challenges.

Transhumanism is a philosophical movement that supports the use of modern technology to enhance human development and overcome limitations. Max More is a leading transhumanist philosopher who has made significant contributions to the field. The objective of this project is to evaluate transhumanism in the philosophy of Max More. Focusing on his extropian principles, the project examines how his vision of transcending biological limits via technologies like cryonics, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence influences contemporary thought. Using the method of philosophical analysis, hermeneutic interpretation & conceptual clarification, the study analyzes More’s foundational ideas, including perpetual progress and morphological freedom, which advocate individual choice in self-transformation. This project investigates the ethical, technological, and social implications of Max More's philosophy, such as issues of access, safety, and societal pressures, alongside criticisms highlighting its over- optimism, libertarian bias, and speculative nature. This project also assesses Max More’s 21 st-century legacy, noting his impact on biotechnology, philosophy, and cultural movements like transhumanism advocacy. While More’s vision inspires innovation and personal empowerment, it faces challenges in ensuring equitable access, addressing safety risks, and embracing cultural diversity. This project underscores the transformative potential of transhumanism while advocating a balanced approach to ensure its benefits reach all of humanity, contributing to ongoing debates about technology’s role in our collective future..

This research explores the intricate relationship between human freedom and spiritual determinism within the framework of African metaphysics. It examines whether human beings can act freely in a universe governed by mystical beings such as ancestors, deities, and spirits, who are believed to influence destiny and moral conduct. The study departs from Western dualisms that separate freedom and determinism, proposing instead a relational understanding grounded in African ontology. African metaphysical thought views existence as holistic and interconnected, where the physical and spiritual realms coexist in continuous interaction. Within this worldview, mystical beings are not tyrannical forces dictating fate but moral agents who guide human behavior, ensure justice, and maintain cosmic harmony. Human destiny (chi, akala, ori) is understood not as an unchangeable script but as a divine framework within which individuals exercise will, responsibility, and moral choice. Through philosophical analysis and interpretation of African cosmology, this research reveals that freedom in African thought is not the absence of constraint but the responsible participation in the moral and spiritual order of existence. True freedom is realized when individuals act ethically, align with communal values, and harmonize their personal will with the divine purpose. The study concludes that man can indeed act freely in the world of mystic beings, but such freedom is relational, moral, and deeply contextual. It affirms a vision of human existence where agency is exercised within divine order, and where freedom finds its fullest expression through cooperation with the unseen forces that shape reality

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, the ethical implications and moral rights associated with it are becoming more significant. This research looks into whether AI systems, especially those that are very advanced, deserve moral attention. The analysis focuses on important ethical concepts, including utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, to assess the moral position of AI. Furthermore, it looks at different standards for moral personhood, such as awareness, independence, and the ability to feel pain. This study also explores the actual effects, such as legal systems, the role of AI in making decisions, and the possible impacts on society if AI does or does not receive moral consideration. By examining these debates, this research seeks to offer a fair perspective on the challenge of whether machines can or should be granted moral rights, as AI technology becomes more integrated into our lives. In this research, we will be using the critical analytic method for us to be able to understand the topic

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, the ethical implications and moral rights associated with it are becoming more significant. This research looks into whether AI systems, especially those that are very advanced, deserve moral attention. The analysis focuses on important ethical concepts, including utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, to assess the moral position of AI. Furthermore, it looks at different standards for moral personhood, such as awareness, independence, and the ability to feel pain. This study also explores the actual effects, such as legal systems, the role of AI in making decisions, and the possible impacts on society if AI does or does not receive moral consideration. By examining these debates, this research seeks to offer a fair perspective on the challenge of whether machines can or should be granted moral rights, as AI technology becomes more integrated into our lives. In this research, we will be using the critical analytic method for us to be able to understand the topic

In contemporary times, one of the fundamental and most trending problems confronting philosophers and social scientists has been the problem of sex discriminations. Over the years, there have been heated debates among scholars and between the two sexes (male and female) over the argument of male’s discriminations against women in almost all areas of human endeavours. This argument is puts in the form of gender bias. Groups of individuals have divided themselves on this issue. On the one hand, some scholars have continued to argue that there is no discrimination discriminated against by the mail counterpart. Feminism is being approached from different strands and perspectives; some approach feminism from the academic perspective, to others, feminism is approach from the economic perspective, to the others, it is view from the family perspective and to the others, it is approach from the social perspective. It was in the light of this debate that Simone de Beauvoir came into the debate. She joined members of the Social Feminist Movement by advocating for the liberation of the women and calling for equality between the two sexes in the society. Beauvoir frowned against what she perceived to be social discrimination against the women within social milieu. This work therefore is critically examination of Simone de Beauvoir’s idea of feminism with a view to show the strengths and weaknesses in her idea of feminism.

This study examines the moral implications of trans-sexuality in Nigerian society, where traditional, religious, and cultural beliefs strongly influence moral judgments about gender and sexuality. Trans-sexuality challenges the conventional notion that gender is
fixed and biologically determined, proposing instead that it is fluid and deeply personal. In Nigeria, however, trans-sexual individuals often face moral condemnation, social rejection, and legal discrimination due to prevailing religious doctrines and cultural
norms that regard such identities as immoral or unnatural. The study reveals that Nigerian moral reasoning is largely communal, emphasizing collective values over individual autonomy. Consequently, trans-sexuality is perceived as a moral deviation that
threatens social harmony and divine order. This perception limits open moral discourse and perpetuates intolerance and stigmatization. The research further explores the ethical tension between cultural morality and universal human rights, raising questions about whether morality should evolve with changing understandings of human identity.

This project delves into Plato's profound philosophical inquiries into the concepts of freedom and determinism, exploring their contemporary relevance. Plato, a foundational figure in the history of Western philosophy, grappled with the tensions between human agency and external constraints. This study seeks to bridge the gap between ancient philosophical thought and modern concerns by examining Plato's ideas on these fundamental issues. Moreover, this research considers the implications of Plato's philosophy for contemporary issues such as artificial intelligence, ethical decision-making in technology, and the role of government in shaping individual freedoms. It explores how Plato's insights can inform and enrich modern ethical frameworks and public policies. Ultimately, this project asserts that Plato's exploration of freedom and determinism remains remarkably pertinent in today's complex and interconnected world. It underscores the enduring value of ancient philosophical inquiries in addressing contemporary ethical and societal challenges, encouraging a deeper appreciation of the timeless elevance of philosophical thought

Through the lens of the Sophists' conception of truth, this work explores moral relativism as a philosophical position. Plato and other ancient philosophers frequently attacked the Sophists for supporting the notion that truth is dependent on circumstances rather than being an absolute, universal category. human perspectives, cultural environments, and rhetorical structures. The Sophists pioneered a relativistic defense that denies the existence of objective moral norms by highlighting the subjectivity of perception and the social construction of meaning. Their method, according to this study, is still pertinent to current discussions on ethics, cultural pluralism, and epistemology. We will utilize the critical analytical method in this research project to get a complete understanding of the subject. Instead of denying the truth, the Sophistic viewpoint reframes it as being flexible, pragmatic, and context-dependent, which promotes tolerance, dialogue, and adaptability. in a world of conflicting ethical assertions. The article explores the benefits and cons of moral relativism in support of the Sophists' viewpoint, arguing that their insights offer a useful basis for rethinking the contemporary language of ethics and politics