Defense Date

3-26-2018

Graduation Date

Spring 5-11-2018

Availability

One-year Embargo

Submission Type

dissertation

Degree Name

PhD

Department

Philosophy

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Committee Chair

Ronald Polansky

Committee Member

Jay Lampert

Committee Member

Brian Cronin

Keywords

Odera Oruka, philosophic sagacity, human rights, global ethical duty, human minimum, eco-philosophy, global justice, parental earth ethics, Ubuntu (humanness).

Abstract

This dissertation primarily aims at making contribution to the advancement of philosophy from the practical point of view. It does so by analytically and critically studying H. Odera Oruka (1944-1995), arguably one of the finest 20th century African philosophers. Thus, it identifies, expounds, and critiques Oruka’s philosophical cum ethical commitment by situating him within various philosophical discourses touching such important global issues as justice, human rights, ethical duty, ecology, humanism and politics. It specifically advances Oruka’s argument for the right to a human minimum, establishing how that ethical principle can be applicable in addressing some distressing human conditions such as inequality, poverty, in-humanness and ecological degradation. It also attempts to borrow and apply some ethical value-systems or philosophies from Africa – such as ubuntu (or humanness) - so as to clarify and philosophically defend the possibility of ensuring the practice of justice at the global level.

Language

English

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