In Quest for Individual-Community Relationship in Contemporary Age: Lessons from African (Yoruba) Thought System

Authors : Adebayo AİNA

Pages : 369-380

Doi:10.20981/kaygi.1132780

View : 18 | Download : 20

Publication Date : 2023-03-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The contemporary African society is infiltrated with the consequences of post-independence cultures of individualism: terrorism, corruption, climate change, unstable and irresponsible government, poverty, greediness, etc. This has adversely affected the cherished African communal existence from her social through political to religious values. As a result of this, there is an urgent need to addressing these anomalies in African society through a genuine alignment between the individual and the community as embedded in Yoruba thought system. This study employed both the expository and analytical approaches in philosophy. These will undoubtedly promote and revamp, in Africa again, the spirit of individual initiatives within the framework of the communal structure without suppressing one for the other. This balancing strategy is basic towards achievement of human personality formation, reformation and development in Africa continent today.
Keywords : Communitarianism, humanism, individualism, personality, Yoruba cultural value