BOOK REVIEW - MORAL PHILOSOPHY AND CHARACTER FORMATION: NIGERIA UNDER THE LENS

Abstract

When Socrates several centuries ago said the unexamined life is not worth living, he was alluding to an ocular fact that it is a mark of good sense to periodically review our thoughts, words and deeds for possible adjustments towards expected positive ends. Such is the reason for the aphorism that, an open mind that never makes up its mind is an empty mind. In a distressed State such the Nigeria of today, many think that it is a thing of common sense not to reflect on or scrutinise basic issues in life as well as question things. Others consider it sophisticated to believe in nothing though, it is the argued position of some thinkers that a man without the proper use of the intellectual faculties of a man, is if possible, more contemptible than even a coward, and seems to be mutilated and deformed in a still more essential part of the character of human nature. Contemporary studies in philosophical cogitation argue that only wisdom, not foolishness, is our portion in life. So, the convinced conclusion of the ancient sages is that, he who knows not, and knows not that he knows not is a fool. But he who knows not, and knows that he knows not is a wise man; for he/she seeks to know what he/she knows not.