Foundations of an African Ethic: Beyond the Universal Claims of Western MoralityIn this groundbreaking book, Bénézet Bujo, a leading voice in African Christian theology, offers an informed critique of Western ethics and lays the theoretical groundwork for a new African ethic. By skillfully drawing on themes from African life such as marriage, therapy, and art, Bujo exposes the shortcomings of the philosophical anthropology implicit in Western ethics, comparing Western theories of natural law, discourse ethics, and communitarianism with the African emphasis on community and remembrance. He then considers whether African ethics can account for central Western values such as autonomy, freedom, and individual identity. Finally, he considers how African ethics both challenges the Church and contributes to its richness, suggesting that an African palaver ethic can integrate the best features of communitarianism and discourse ethics. This timely contribution to African theology will be of special interest to students of religion, comparative and non-Western philosophy, anthropology, and African studies, as well as those intrigued by ongoing debates about universal ethical norms. |
Contents
ETHICS AND ANAMNESIS | 34 |
Identity and the Understanding of Freedom | 73 |
SIN AND FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE | 107 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
action African anthropology African context African ethics African palaver African tradition African understanding afrikanische anamnesis anamnetic ancestors Apel Auer autonomous moral theology Bahema Black Africa Bujo Catholic Christ church circumcision clan fellowship communitarianism concept concerns conscience correct criticism cultures decisive dialogue discourse ethics discussion doctrine emphasizes encyclical ethical conduct ethical norms Ethik ethische Dimension ethnic groups example existence existential faith female circumcision Frankfurt a.M. freedom Freiburg fundamental Gemeinschaft Gikuyu Habermas Höffe human person Humanae vitae i.Br ibid idem important inculturation individual interpretation Jesus justified Kinshasa living magisterium marriage means modern munity natural law natural-law one's palaver palaver process perspective poiēsis polygamy practice praxis precisely principle problem proto-ancestor proverbs question rational Ratzinger religious Schockenhoff Second Vatican Council sexual situation ethics solidarity sorcerer speak sphere STh I-II q teaching theologians theonomy thesis Thomas von Aquin tion truth ultimately Veritatis splendor virtues Western word world ethos