UTILITARIANISM AND KANTIAN LIBERALISM: THE PROSECUTION OF COMPLEMENTARY DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY OF “UBUNTU”

Abstract

This work examines the African classical ethics in the concept of Ubuntu Philosophy. It repudiates the importance of the Kantian and Utilitarian ethical theories as the essential theories of justice writ large, and justice is seen as the most universal of the virtues in so far as it involves a disposition to give to all persons their due. So, under the conjectures of utilitarianism, justice is seen from the point of views of consequences and utility principles, in which we seek to balance the equation in human happiness. The findings of this work therefore, supports the thesis that ubuntu is an all-embracing interpretations of both negative and positive peace building in Africa through social trust among members of the community. Ubuntu embodies the spirit of collaboration with others, which serve as a cultural unity and political democratization of the people.. So, my main objective in this work is to bring out the point of convergence in the Kantianism and utilitariasnism with the concept of Ubuntu’s Philosophy. The theories therefore ellogiase in the concept of justice. Justice is to be extended to all; it is at least a common denominator. The Kantian theory epitomizes in the will of human action. Moral value is solely a function of the motives brought to action, whereas in the views of Utilitarianism it is the consequences of people’s action that carry all moral weight. Ubuntu on the other hands is more pragmatic. It acts conspicuously above and beyond the call, for duty which yield the desired allegiance to norms of inter-personal civility, including the most fundamental precepts of individual autonomy. The co-culturation or enculturation of brotherhood determine the attentiveness to boundaries between self and others. This affords the visible indicators rather being controlled by them.