In this thesis, I propose a reconstruction of the response to Nietzsche’s nihilism made available by Ubuntu philosophy. This is achieved by extracting a theory of the meaning of life from the...Show moreIn this thesis, I propose a reconstruction of the response to Nietzsche’s nihilism made available by Ubuntu philosophy. This is achieved by extracting a theory of the meaning of life from the Ubuntu worldview, as put forward by Mogobe Ramose, which makes meaning resilient to nihilism. Ubuntu philosophy understands personhood as inherently relational and co-constituted with the world in a way that “a person is a person through other persons” (Ubuntu aphorism). From this relational ontology of personhood, I propose a theory of meaning that locates the experience of meaningfulness in the relations that constitute the person. I then show how meaning, because it is immanent to personhood, is impervious to nihilism.Show less
Bildung as an educational paradigm is wildly influential. However, it does not exist without critiques. Bildung is an ideal that is founded on a very specific kind of German outlook, that proposes...Show moreBildung as an educational paradigm is wildly influential. However, it does not exist without critiques. Bildung is an ideal that is founded on a very specific kind of German outlook, that proposes a staunch look towards the sciences, humanities and the arts. It promotes the study of them as the highest ideal that will constitute a good moral person. A problem that comes with this stance, however, is the underlying tendency to study this historicised account of the world and to do that whilst not being in the world. What this paper sets out to do, is question these methodological pathologies of Bildung, after which the intercultural angle, allows Ubuntu to be used to revitalise Bildung. This revitalisation is done through the centrality of Ramose’s be-ing becoming, and the proverb Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu. These two notions allow Bildung to move beyond its pietist chains, and show how the methodological underpinning of Bildung can be reinterpreted as being outwards and in the world.Show less
The necessity for a principle such as the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) emerged in the aftermath of humanitarian catastrophes of the 1990s and the ineffective and partially destructive response...Show moreThe necessity for a principle such as the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) emerged in the aftermath of humanitarian catastrophes of the 1990s and the ineffective and partially destructive response by the international community. R2P represents the notion that states not only have a responsibility to protect their own citizens from atrocity crimes, but due to increasing global interconnectedness have a responsibility to protect citizens worldwide. Furthermore, through R2P, African actors have exemplified shifting power relations, i.e. their growing agency and political, economic, and cultural importance in international relations. This thesis poses the research question, how can ubuntu be used as a framework to understand R2P from an African perspective? This study aims to reacknowledge African agency in the creation and implementation of R2P and the value of a regional and cultural approach, seeing as the literature review reveals that the application of African philosophies to R2P requires further research. To analyze the role of ubuntu principles in R2P, desktop research and document analysis were used. In addition, an interview with Professor Timothy Murithi was conducted. By applying the principles of ubuntu to the responsibilities to prevent, react, and rebuild, this thesis concludes that ubuntu has the potential to increase the legitimate and cohesive implementation of R2P in Africa. Guiding values of ubuntu such as communalism, reciprocity, forgiveness, and communication highlight the humanitarian, ethical aspect of R2P. Furthermore, ubuntu enables a more regional approach to R2P that reacknowledges Africa’s role in international affairs.Show less
