Contemporary Issues in Philosophy, Religion and Theology

Description

In the discipline of African Religion, Omare’s article addresses the pertinent problem of violence meted by the Abagusii against their own suspected witches. He admits that, the belief in witchcraft among the Abagusii is deep rooted in their culture and belief systems. He points out that, modernization has not succeeded to eradicate it. As a desperate effort to eradicate the deep rooted anachronistic practice, the Abagusii people have resorted to violence as a measure to eradicate the problem in the society. Such an approach however, he argues, goes against the human dignity deserving of a person. In a contextual case of a woman giving birth to challenged children in reference to the concept of cause and effect relationship, Kahiga argues that, ‘thinking precedes action’. He further points out that, the African cultural mind-set is the foundation of different cultural practices good or bad. If the practices are undesirable, it is necessary that the practices which are the symptoms are not condemned, but the mind-set behind the practices is reformed so as to achieve desirable effects.

In his article, Koech argues that, foreign categories in scriptural interpretations have tended to touch only on the skin surface of the African person. He supports the African interpretation of the Scripture using the African cultural categories that are relevant thus penetrating the inner depth of the African person. He identifies inculturation hermeneutics as the best approach to biblical interpretation in the African context. Kahiga and Eberl argue that, the context in which we understand who a person is informs the way we handle the person. The differences in the concept of a person are indicative of different mind-sets and hence value systems. There is a tendency in Africa to regard a member of a tribal community as a ‘real’ person worthy of dignity and value, while the ‘other’ from a different community is dehumanized, having minimal dignity and value as a person. The ‘other’ becomes a vulnerable person who requires protection especially from abuse in clinical trials in regard to human health research and other contexts. The authors argue for the need to overcome epistemological boundaries through self-transcendence leading to a mutual respect concerning the dignity of the being of a person across the globe.

Tanui in his article analyses the nature and value of sex education with a synthesis that in spite of difficulties inherent in society, authentic sex education can tap the creative power that comprises human sexuality. He asserts that centrality of educated love through ongoing formation ultimately forms a human person who is a responsible and integrated adult, a human person who is fully alive in his/her sexuality for the good of society. In their article, Mary Wahome and Nderitu contend that advancement in medical technology has posed ethical dilemmas. Modern technology in medicine has seen the development of knowledge regarding organ transplant, life saving machines, use of antiretroviral drugs on HIV/AIDS patients, reproductive technology among others. The article analyses the contribution of modern development in medical knowledge to the welfare of humanity vis a viz the ethical implications that emerge from such practice.

In his article, Nderitu critically analyzes Socrates dictum that ‘virtue is knowledge’ calling it ‘naïve optimism’ in regard to the Kenyan situation. The article critically analyses why knowledge has in some instances ceased to be the source of morality in the contemporary Kenya situation. He attempts to show the way forward in restoring ‘the elite’ as the custodians of morality in society showing the contribution of knowledge to ethics and its relevance to sustainable development in Kenya. In this article, Abwire endeavours to evaluate the process of election in and how democracy is construed and practiced in Kenya. He discusses how the citizens and rulers of Kenya have used democracy as tool for better or for worse. He argues that, Political equality, is used as a means of making decisions in society through an electoral process or universal suffrage, where the majority are considered to be right.

Choge explores the Biblical image of a pilgrim with special emphasis on the Book of Hebrews. She shows the theological implications of adopting the pilgrim status focusing on those living literally as refugees and as the internally displaced persons specifically in Kenya. Mraja attempts to delineate the doctrinal teachings of three religious traditions common in Africa on water management. This serves as one of the essential pillars for a paradigm shift in the way in which sustainable use and conservation of water resources can be reinvigorated. He argues that, many of the destructive tendencies associated with water are oft devoid of an understanding of the place of the sacred in ensuring cosmic harmony.

Finally, Chukwu in his article analyses the concept of peace and peace-building in theological and philosophical perspectives. The discourse helps to fashion the meaning and characteristics of peace-building. He attempts at incorporating theological insights into peace-building with a view to showing its significance in deliberations about viable approaches to a peace-building operation. The diverse articles are indicative of the multidisciplinary nature of the department where a synthesis of Philosophy, Religion and Theology has been attempted.