DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

This project is a defense of natural law, grounded in the philosophical framework of Thomas Aquinas. As a philosopher who seamlessly integrated Aristotelian thought with Christian theology, Aquinas' synthesis has been a profound influence on my intellectual journey. Initially, my passion lay with the study of law, but as I delved into philosophy, I discovered an unexpected affinity for the subject. Now, my appreciation for law has evolved, informed by the philosophical insights gleaned from Aquinas' works. This project employs a dual- methodological approach, combining the hermeneutic method and the critical method. The hermeneutic method, a philosophical approach centered on interpretation and understanding, is utilized to examine and elucidate the meanings embedded in Thomas Aquinas' texts, symbols, and cultural artifacts. Complementing this, the critical method was applied to scrutinize and analyze the underlying assumptions, beliefs, and values that inform Aquinas' natural law theory. By integrating these two
methods, this project aims to provide a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of Aquinas' philosophy.

My interest in medieval philosophers, particularly Thomas Aquinas, has challenged the common notion that philosophers are inherently atheistic. Contrary to this view, my studies have revealed a rich tradition of philosophical thought that integrates faith and reason.

Furthermore, despite some scholars' dismissive views on
natural law, I firmly believe that natural laws represent fundamental principles that govern the world and are inherently part of human nature. This project seeks to reaffirm the validity and significance of natural law, and to provide a robust defense of its relevance in understanding human existence. Through this project, we hope to have achieved the following: gaining proper insight into the concept of natural law, evaluation of the relevance of Aquinas ideas to modern interpretation of law of the relationship between faith and reason and finally contributing to the ongoing debates and discussions in philosophy and beyond.

This work examines how Immanuel Kant’s deontological ethics can contribute to Nigeria’s political development. Using both analytical and evaluative methods, the study
explores Kant’s moral theory, centered on duty, universal moral law, and respect for human dignity, as a useful lens for judging political actions beyond selfish or partisan interests. In Nigeria, politics has often been weakened by corruption, misuse of office, and lack of accountability, which continue to slow down true national progress. Through analysis, the research breaks down Kant’s ethical principles and, by evaluation, applies
them to Nigerian political realities, highlighting how common practices such as electoral malpractice, favoritism, and resource mismanagement cannot be defended as universal principles and therefore fail the test of moral duty. The study argues that if political
leaders and institutions embraced responsibility based on duty rather than personal gain, Nigeria could move toward a system built on justice, fairness, and transparency. Kant’s ethical framework, therefore, offers not only criticism of current political culture but also
a moral guide for meaningful reform.

Abortion has always remained a very controversial topic anywheretheissue of women rights has been raised. While some persons seeit asimmoral to even speak of, others view it as a remedy for unwantedpregnancies. The whole debate surrounding abortion stirs upalotofcontroversy and valid points as well, all this is as a result of theunraveling of facts and the circulation of myths all surrounding thetopic. The debates for and against all take a logical side, however we must notethat due to the sentimental nature of most of the points raised, manycontroversial points might complicate both sides.

The challenge of moral decadence in Nigerian Society has led to disorderliness and have also led to devaluation of values, this is due to the decline in parental authority and the influence of technological advancement as it af ects theinculcation of right values. The aims and objective of this essay was to unravel what these causes are, and to prof er solution to how this challenge couldbecurbed. The findings of this essay from documented evidences in the text, has led to recommending a moral education and reorientation to curb the problemof moral degradation in order to enhance social order.

This research investigates the alignment between Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of equality, grounded in nonviolent resistance and universal human rights, and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement’s efforts to confront systemic racism. By analyzing King’s speeches from 1955 to 1968 alongside BLM’s public statements from 2013 to 2025, the study reveals shared goals of dismantling racial injustice, yet highlights distinct approaches shaped by their respective eras. King’s philosophy, inspired by Christian values and Gandhian principles, leveraged moral clarity and organized campaigns, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, to secure landmark laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Conversely, BLM employs a decentralized, intersectional framework, amplified by social media, to address modern challenges like police brutality and economic inequity, as seen in initiatives like #SayHerName and calls for reparations. The analysis underscores King’s lasting influence on coalition-building and economic justice while recognizing the need for adaptive strategies to tackle contemporary complexities. This study deepens understanding of civil rights activism’s evolution, offering valuable perspectives for scholars, activists, and policymakers working toward a more equitable society.

The significance of ethics in Artificial Intelligence (AI) can not be overstated, as it encompasses the foundational principles guiding the responsible creation, deployment and management of AI technologies. As AI systems increasingly permeates every aspect of our lives from healthcare and education to security and entertainment, their decisions and actions have profound implications not only on individual rights and privacy but also on societal norms and values. Ethical considerations in AI are paramount to ensure that these technologies enhance human well-being, uphold fairness rather than perpetuate biases, exacerbate inequalities or undermine democratic institutions. The importance of AI ethics lies in its ability to provide a framework for navigating the complex moral dilemma presented by AI, such as balance between innovation and regulation, the protection of individual privacy versus the benefits of big data and the protection of AI misuse. This project explores AI decision making from an ethical perspective, examining issues such as bias, accountability, transparency and fairness. Through case studies and theoretical analysis, it evaluates how AI systems navigate morally complex situations and the extent to which they align with human ethical principles. This study also discusses existing ethical framework such as Unitarianism, deontology and virtue ethics. Ultimately, the goal is to highlight the need for responsible AI development and governance to ensure that AI driven decisions uphold ethical standards and benefits society as a whole.

Metaphysics, as the foundational inquiry into the ultimate nature of reality, has long been subject to both reverence and rejection in the history of philosophy. Various intellectual movements, ranging from empiricism to logical positivism, have attempted to discredit or bypass metaphysical speculation, deeming it unscientific, meaningless, or impractical. However, such efforts often fail to escape the very metaphysical presuppositions they seek to deny. This project exposes the futility of avoiding metaphysics by demonstrating that even the critique or dismissal of metaphysics itself rests on underlying metaphysical assumptions about knowledge, existence, and meaning. This project argues that metaphysics is inescapable because it constitutes the background framework through which human beings interpret reality, structure knowledge, and define values. Attempts to avoid it inevitably smuggle in hidden metaphysical commitments, whether in science, ethics, or epistemology. Thus, metaphysics cannot be meaningfully abandoned without undermining the very intellectual enterprise that seeks to replace it. By critically engaging with key anti-metaphysical traditions and contrasting them with contemporary defenses of metaphysical inquiry, this study reveals that metaphysics is not a dispensable exercise but a necessary foundation for coherent thought. Ultimately, the project exposes the paradox of avoiding metaphysics: in denying its relevance, one is already engaged in it. The expose affirms that the human quest for understanding cannot do without metaphysical reflection, making its avoidance not only futile but also self-defeating.

This project provides a critical examination of John Hick’s theory of evil, as presented in his seminal work “evil and the God of love”. Hick theory which posit that evil is a necessary component of soul- making, is analyze in the context of the philosophical and theological debates surrounding the problem of evil. John Hick has written extensively concerning the problem of evil. His writing on the problem are set within two general restraints. First he holds constant the conception of God as omnipotent and perfectly good. Hick does not pursue the question of whether the facts about evil necessitate some drastic revision of our conception of God. Secondly Hick distinguishes the question of whether the existence of God is logically consistent with the fact about evil from the questions of whether the facts about evil render belief in God unreasonable or irrational. It is the second of these questions that is the focus of john Hick attention. Some philosophers’ holds that the fact about evil does not provide
any rational grounds or evidence for disbelief in God

In the annals of African history, the effects of colonialism remain deeply
entrenched, shaping the political, economic, and social landscapes of the continent. While many African nations gained their independence in the mid-20th century, the legacies of colonial rule have endured, manifesting in various forms, including neocolonialism. Neocolonialism refers to the indirect influence and control exerted by former colonial powers or external entities over the political and economic affairs of postcolonial
nations1. This phenomenon has had a profound impact on African countries, with Nigeria serving as a poignant case study. As one of the most populous and resource-rich countries in Africa, Nigeria has faced numerous challenges in its quest for national development. The echoes of neocolonialism reverberate through the intricate web of institutions and
systems that govern the nation. Institutions play a crucial role in shaping the political, economic, and social dimensions of a country, and understanding their dynamics within the context of neocolonial influences is essential for comprehending Nigeria's complex journey since gaining independence.

One of the major problems of man and artificial intelligence,is human's gullibility towards artificial intelligence. This can lead to misinformation, manipulation and exploitation because humans blindly trusty artificial intelligence outputs without critically evaluating them. This research gives an in depth analysis of philosophy, man and artificial intelligence.It criticizes, evaluates and questions artificial intelligence. It posits to solve man's gullibility in terms of technology. It is to serve as an eye opener to make man take cautious steps in the business of artificial intelligence, technological inventions and its usage. It romances across the philosophy of mind, with the question; Does artificial intelligence have a mind or consciousness? Will our over dependence on artificial intelligence lead us to existential crisis? The weaponization of artificial intelligence which could be detrimental to the human race just like nuclear bombs and unemployment. The religious implications, metaphysical implications, ethical implications and how long before artificial intelligence adapts fully and begins to revolt against the human race? In the light of this, we shall also critically analyze Alan Turfing's theory on artificial intelligence that holds that "artificial intelligence should be defined in the terms of acting and not thinking" explaining also the Turing test, its achievements and limitations. In this case, we will be using analytic and critical methods. We shall break into smaller bits the concepts of artificial intelligence so we can understand the meaning and use of artificial intelligence and using critical methods to analyze and criticize artificial intelligence, these methods will be used to give in depth understanding of the work. From the findings of this study, we discovered that the Influence of artificial intelligence has existential effects ranging from the physical to the psychological influences which have negative and positive effects on humans