DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

Over the years different philosophers have proffered answers to the question “who is a person?” However, given the contradictory theories offered by these various thinkers such as Rene Descartes, Segun Gbadegesin, Kwame Gyekye and Mogobe Ramose, the problem seems to have eluded any attempt at resolving it. In African philosophy, Wiredu’s idea of the Akan notion of a person marks a watershed to the discuss on a personhood.resent scholars like Osemwengie and Asia explored the Edo notion of a person and Obinyan on his part examined the notion of Oria in Esan ontology. However, with the method of hermeneutics, this study crystallizes Ifeanyi Menkiti’s notion of a person and argues with the fact in forms a defense and a better approach to the problem of personhood. This work concludes in line with Menkiti that an understanding of the qualitative relationship between a person and a community cannot be ignored in defining personhood.

This research project explores the moral implications of divorce in contemporary Nigerian society from a Kantian ethical framework. Divorce is a complex and contentious issue in Nigeria, where traditional values often clash with the evolving dynamics of modern life. Immanuel Kant's deontological ethics provide a valuable lens through which to analyze the moral dimensions of divorce, focusing on the principles of duty, autonomy, and universalizability. The study begins by providing a comprehensive overview of the historical, cultural, and legal context of divorce in Nigeria, shedding light on the traditional values that have influenced societal perceptions of divorce. It then delves into Kantian ethics, emphasizing the categorical imperative and the concept of treating individuals as ends in themselves rather than as means to an end. These philosophical foundations are used to critically assess the moral aspects of divorce, including the responsibilities of individuals, the impact on families and communities, and the ethical considerations of divorce.

Feminism is a large area of political movements, ideologies and social movements that share a common goal to define; establish and achieve political, economic, personal and social equality of sexes. The main aim of feminism is to seek women’s equality of sexes. It is to seek women’s equality and justice in every sphere of life and create opportunities for women to have the same access to the resources that are otherwise freely available to men. The main aim of this work is to outline some basic assumptions and tenants of feminism and trace in the theoretical origin. Feminism is indeed a serious attempt to analyze, comprehend and clarify because psychological and cultural constructs of feminism. It is a movement for women struggling for gender equality in every sector, such as education, politics and many others. Feminists aim for women’s liberation in making various decisions for them such as expressing both characteristics of masculine and feminism confidently. In general feminism can be seen as a movement to put an end to sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression and to achieve full gender equality in law and in practice

The place of artificial intelligence in cultural pressure and human value has become a source of concern in our contemporary times. Cultural value remains one of the critical aspects of human development. Some scholars have argued that culture in contemporary human society serves as a moral teacher to the people. The purpose of this study is to critically examine the contemporary significance of artificial intelligence on cultural pressure and human value. The place of artificial intelligence in cultural pressure and human value has contemporary significance and very serious ethical implications. The concept of artificial intelligence is predicated on human creativity and it borders on human welfare. A conceptual clarification of artificial intelligence showcases the fact that it is a humanist philosophy. The objective of this research is that artificial intelligence showcases human prosperity. This research work is to take a cursory look at the contemporary influence of artificial intelligence on cultural development and human value. The study covers the ethical implications of artificial intelligence on cultural development and human value. Some human values have been eroded due to the emergence of artificial intelligence.

This thesis conducts a philosophical examination of the ethical dimensions surrounding same-sex relationships in the context of Nigerian society. Drawing from diverse ethical theories and perspectives, it explores the moral dilemmas, cultural considerations, and human rights implications associated with the acceptance or rejection of same-sex relationships in Nigeria. By engaging in this philosophical inquiry, the study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the ethical underpinnings of this contentious issue and its broader implications for societal values and human rights. In the midst of the ongoing debates and controversies surrounding same-sex relationships in Nigeria, this study aims to shed light on the complex ethical landscape surrounding this topic, offering more insights that can inform more nuanced discussions on the subject. It involves the conflicting moral frameworks that inform this issue, scrutinizing
traditional, religious and human rights based ethics. By critically analyzing these ethical perspectives and cultural norms at play, this study seeks to contribute to the ongoing discourse on same-sex relationship and cultural values in Nigeria, fostering a more inclusive and informed dialogue.

This study is a philosophical examination into the problems and challenges of the consequence of confidentiality medical practice. Historically, particularly, with the time of Hippocrates, medical practice began to be seen as an organized profession guided by some ethical rules and norms. Certain conditions were set and required to be met or sustained in the practice of medicine. One of such principles and rules was/is the importance of confidentiality of doctor-patient’s relationship. The principle of
confidentiality admonishes physicians to adhere and maintain the right of keeping patient’s health record(s) secret and that only the patient is expected or allowed to be disclosed with the true nature or status of his or her health situation. In other words, the principle of confidentiality in medical practice argues that doctors are obligated never to disclose the health status of his or her patient to a third party but must always respect the ethical law of confidentiality by ensuring that the health result or report of the patient is been disclose to another person neither to be made available to the general public or to the community. Ironically, keeping to the tenet of this principle or this ethical law appears to be elusive today as there evidences of the violations of this ethical law. There are debates today among ethicists as to whether should this ethical norm be continually
adhered to at all course and in all situations. Some medical practitioners have argued that such ethical norm be abolished; others continued to argue in support of keeping to this norm. In order to argue against or in defense of the practice of confidentiality in medical practice, different moral theories have been employed by different moral philosopher in defense for and against it. Such theories may include Deontologism, Consequentialism, Emotivism, Situationism, and many others. In this study however, the moral theory of situationism was adopted and the study posits that while the ethical norm of confidentiality is plausible, it is however, not without some challenges. Thus, the study concludes that in keeping to the consequence of confidentiality in medical practice, certain situations much be given considerations.

Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s first president, crafted Zambian Humanism to guide post-independence nation-building, blending African communal traditions with Christian ethics to promote unity, equality, and human dignity. This socio-political philosophy aimed to counter colonial legacies and tribal divisions by merging socialist principles with African values, emphasizing collective welfare, non-racialism, and moral governance. This paper critically examines Humanism’s ideological roots, implementation, and societal impact in Zambia. It highlights successes like enhanced national unity and social welfare programs, while addressing shortcomings, such as economic struggles and authoritarian tendencies. The study also explores challenges in balancing traditional and modern governance. Through historical and philosophical analysis, it evaluates Humanism’s lasting influence on Zambian identity and its limitations in tackling complex socio-economic realities, offering insights into post-colonial ideological challenges in Africa.

Friedrich Nietzsche's theory of music, which integrates art, metaphysics, and human life, has a distinctive and significant position in contemporary aesthetics. According to Nietzsche, music is not just an artistic medium but the most immediate and essential representation of life itself. He sees music in The Birth of Tragedy (1872) as the purest expression of the "Dionysian" spirit, which is an elemental, untamed, and life-affirming energy that goes beyond reason and language. In contrast to other art forms, which depend on representation and form (the "Apollonian"), music communicates directly to the will and the core of being, providing a providing metaphysical comfort and exposing the underlying currents of human existence. Nietzsche's later works go on to highlight the revolutionary potential of music, praising its capacity to influence culture and individual personality while denouncing excessively intellectualized or decadent forms of it. musical art. This perspective is in stark contrast to two other well-known schools of thought on music. Nietzsche first admired Arthur Schopenhauer, who saw music as a direct manifestation of the metaphysical "Will," the underlying reality of all phenomena, and thus raised its status. superior to all other arts in its ability to express the essence of the universe. Eduard Hanslick, on the other hand, maintained that the value of music resides in its structure, form, and autonomous beauty, regardless of its emotional or metaphysical content, in accordance with his formalist theory. The Analytic approach will be used in this study to analyze and try to evaluate Nietzsche's conception of music. As a result, Nietzsche's concept is at a crossroads between aesthetic experience and metaphysical depth: it extols music as a life-affirming force that goes beyond mere form and placing music as a deep and vibrant expression of human vitality while simultaneously refuting Schopenhauer's pessimism and Hanslick's aloofness.

This research examines St. Thomas Aquinas' classical arguments for the existence of God, as stated in his Summa Theologica, which is popularly known as the "Five Ways. " One of the most influential syntheses of Aristotelian philosophy and Christian theology is found in Aquinas' discussion of motion, causation, contingency, degrees of perfection, and teleology. The analytical approach will be used in the research to analyze each proof, emphasizing its logical structure, theological ramifications, and hilosophical underpinnings. Despite the Five Ways' logical justification for the need for an ultimate purpose and first cause, later critics have questioned them. philosophers for basing their work on pre-modern metaphysics, endless regression worries, and subjective ideas of perfection and design. The assessment examines the lasting significance of Aquinas' arguments in the philosophy of religion as well as their limitations in the context of modern scientific and philosophical research. Despite the fact that quinas' proofs cannot produce complete demonstrative certitude, the research nevertheless concludes that they are still useful as cumulative, logical indicators of the plausibility of God's existence. improving the discussion between faith and reason.

It is generally admitted that in the specific case of self-defense involving persons or nations,recourse to violence is a legitimate choice. Outside such cases of self-defense, onlythestatehas the legitimate power to use violence, it being assumed that the monopoly of violencebythe state is precisely how individuals give up their own right to violence and agreetocomeunder a political authority. However, theories,such as Marxism, have also approvedviolenceas a legitimate expression of revolutionary movements. They identify violence as amidwifeof history whereby emerging higher social demands overthrow outdated andreactionarysocial systems