According to John S. Mbiti, it is only in terms of other people that the individual himself is conscious of his own being, his own duties, his privileges and responsibilities towards himself and towards other people: “I am because we are, and since we are, therefore I am.”11 This is “a morality of `conduct’ rather than a morality of ‘being,’”12 or of personal morality. It is a morality of conduct in the sense that it is one’s relationships and, therefore, conduct in the social sphere that dictates one’s sense of morality. This morality occurs in contrast to emphasizing an individual’s sense of self, autonomy or being, that is, of the self which does not place much value on the social relationships. The former was a strong awareness of one’s existence and relationship with others in the community, a strong sense of “social self.” The support of others was more important than one’s capacities to achieve one’s existential ends—hence the value of corporate existence. Corporate existence signified a responsibility of many for one. First, the others had to look after the well-being of the individual, i.e., the responsibility of many for one. Second, the individual had to look after the well-being of others. The latter was motivated by the former. Here we note a collaborative relationship between the individual and society that helped to build and sustain a moral character in a person and moral order (social harmony) in the society. These two elements helped build a strong sense of belonging and identity in the society.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 02:07:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015