THE NEED FOR VIRTUE IN THE AFRICAN SOCIO-POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The survival of every given society depends to a large extent, on the underlying values and philosophy which such a society in question holds dear for her common good. The African continent in this paper is accepted as a continent full of both human and natural resources, with an amazing potential to be greater. No man or society can survive by only the mere possession of natural and material potentials. This paper is a discourse on the importance of ‘virtue’ as an essential tool which could enhance the socio-political and economic growth of the continent. Virtue, which is an embodiment of behavior and attitude in conformity with moral standards is discussed here as a strong pedestal on which the African society could be reengineered. With the high spate of corruption, moral decadence and laxity in the exercise of public and even private duties, it is then obvious that the reinvigoration of virtue, as a catalyst to private and public growth is of course timely. With a good understanding and practicality of virtue, Africans would be repositioned to work towards their collective good and development, to enable them be at par with other continents which are ahead of Africa economically and politically. Since virtue is usually regarded as a relative phenomenon, the present work proffers for it within the Kantian theory: Categorical Imperative.