Examining the logical argument of the problem of evil from an African perspective

Chimakonam, Jonathan O.; Chimakonam, Amara Esther

doi:10.1017/s0034412522000300

Cited by 18 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The implication of these suggestions (Gyekye's and Matolino's) is that personhood cannot be given by the community. For JO Chimakonam (2022), an individual who possesses intellectual and embodied relational capacities is a person. Closely connected to the African conception of communality is the normative idea of personhood, which focuses on the development of individual capacities to relate positively with others.…”

Section: An Exposition Of Ae Chimakonam's Personhood-based Theory Of ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A personhood-based theory and the death penalty: An appraisal of AE Chimakonam’s theory of right action

Bambale¹

2023

ajct

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Until recently, there have only been what are considered to be moral beliefs/worldviews/cultural practices as moral justification for actions in African ethics. However, recent intellectual activities brought about the development of ethical theories that serve as frameworks for justifying actions as good/right or bad/wrong from an African perspective. Guided by the principles that are derivable from African values, norms and thought, the theories provide systematic, coherent and universal frameworks of moral justification in a way that beliefs or worldviews do not. In this paper, I look into one of the theories. Propounded by Amara Esther Chimakonam, the theory draws from the African normative idea of personhood that Ifeanyi Menkiti proposes. My aim is to show its weaknesses and strengths. I begin with the weaknesses by arguing that, among others, the theory is unsuccessful in adequately accommodating individual excellences, such as interests and rights that it promises to accommodate. I then move on to show its strength by demonstrating that it provides a plausible moral argument against the death penalty from an African perspective.

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Section: An Exposition Of Ae Chimakonam's Personhood-based Theory Of ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A personhood-based theory and the death penalty: An appraisal of AE Chimakonam’s theory of right action

Bambale¹

2023

ajct

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“…At least three possible objections can be raised against our position in this essay. The first is about our interpretation of God in ATRs following Chimakonam and Chimakonam (2022) as Harmony-God who is capable of both good and evil. A critic might challenge this view on the ground that it fails to fulfill the basic criterion for God, i.e., the attributes of omnipotence and moral perfection or omnibenevolence.…”

Section: Challenging the African Viewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Problem of Evil from a Decolonial Viewpoint

Cordeiro‐Rodrigues¹,

Chimakonam²

2023

Philosophia

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In this article, we contest the idea that evil does not exist, or that it is a mistaken grasp of reality to contend that evil exists. We analyze two versions of this argument: the 'orchestra argument' and the 'mystical argument.' In common, these arguments contend that those who affirm the existence of evil in the world have a limited view of reality. We argue that these views are either over-abstract from reality or do not offer a plausible approach to the problem of evil. We then advance a decolonial perspective on evil. According to the perspective advanced here, evil is conceptualized as a phenomenon that diminishes life. We contend this view provides a better account of how to understand evil.

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“…The 'Ubuntu' philosophy this article draws on has been significantly described by others. [13][14][15][16][17] This article advances these descriptions by demonstrating how such descriptions may be applied to think critically about the morality of issuing fitness certificates to mine workers.…”

Section: Understanding African 'Ubuntu' Philosophymentioning

confidence: 99%

An Ubuntu-based reflection on the public health impact of silica dust exposure in the South African mining industry

Mojakwana,

Ewuoso

2023

Journal of Global Health Reports

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Issuing fitness certificates to South African mine workers with early and mild silicosis to continue risk work underground is a public health concern. This article draws on the view of solidarity to contend this practice. We employed a normative ethics approach and the concept of solidarity in African ‘Ubuntu’ philosophy to report and reflect on the public health implications of silica dust exposure among South African miners. We argued that since silicosis is irreversible, incurable, and could be progressive, leading to death, thus, issuing certificates of fitness to individuals who have early and mild silicosis, in many ways, is inappropriate and the practice ought to be rejected. We recommend more studies to reflect on the ethical management of silica dust exposure in the South African gold mining industry.

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Examining the logical argument of the problem of evil from an African perspective

Cited by 18 publications

References 32 publications

A personhood-based theory and the death penalty: An appraisal of AE Chimakonam’s theory of right action

A personhood-based theory and the death penalty: An appraisal of AE Chimakonam’s theory of right action

The Problem of Evil from a Decolonial Viewpoint

An Ubuntu-based reflection on the public health impact of silica dust exposure in the South African mining industry

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