Evaluating the Epistemic Foundation of African Moral Thought in Light of Liberal Moral Theory
Evaluating the Epistemic Foundation of African Moral Thought in Light of Liberal Moral Theory

Summary/Abstract: This paper argues for the existence of a non-religious epistemic foundation in African Moral Thought. It recognises the popularity of religious epistemic foundations and persuasive arguments behind them in African Moral Thought. However, it argues that a deeper reflection on the patterns of moral thinking among Africans shows the influence of a non-religious epistemic foundation, identifiable as a liberal conception of morality. The paper identifies two positions among scholars who uphold the religious epistemic foundation for African morality. The first position maintains that religion is the only epistemic foundation. The paper argues that this position is too strong, and consequently, the existence of non-religious personalities who are arguably moral proves the point to be false. The second position admits some non-religious epistemic foundations but either submerged such with religious foundations or regards those non-religious epistemic foundations as a kind of irregularity. This paper concludes that moral norms and codes in African tradition, Yoruba society as an example, develop from the people’s experience, and are learned and relearned across generations to serve as a guide for their existential survival.

• Details
• Contents