Value-Ethical System in Sub-Saharan Africa. From the Past to the Future
The article is devoted to the analysis of the value-ethical system in Sub-Saharan Africa in historical retrospect with the transition to modernity. The concept of "value-ethical system" reflects the specifics of the African worldview, in which all values have a moral meaning. The article...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute for African Studies
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Ученые записки Института Африки Российской академии наук |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://africajournal.ru/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Mosejko-Tsennostno-Эticheskaya-Sistema-V-Afrike.pdf |
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| Summary: | The article is devoted to the analysis of the value-ethical system in Sub-Saharan Africa
in historical retrospect with the transition to modernity. The concept of "value-ethical system" reflects
the specifics of the African worldview, in which all values have a moral meaning. The article analyzes
the value foundation on which Africans want to build "the Africa they dream of" (as stated in the
program document of the African Union "Agenda 2063"). The author examines African traditional
values based on the research of modern African scientists, on her own African archives, on memories
and personal impressions collected by the author during her stay in the countries of the African
continent.
In traditional Africa, there exist value-ethical complexes in which ancient folk wisdom is
concentrated. This is, for example, Ubuntu of the Bantu peoples – humanity, equality of people,
regardless of race, nationality, religion. It is also a community solidarity associated with the
importance of family ties. The author proves that the culture of Sub-Saharan Africa belongs to the
collectivist type. Collectivism in combination with Ubuntu serves as a barrier to the adoption by
Africans of a Protestant work ethic that welcomes individual success, competition, and profit
orientation (outside of the principle of fairness). "Western" values are the opposite of traditional
African ethics and values. Currently, the countries of sub-Saharan Africa are looking for their own
way of development within the framework of capitalism. African scientists want to develop a system of
economic philosophy that includes traditional African values in order to make capitalism relevant to African countries and acceptable to the African mentality. Special attention is paid to the issues of
dialogue, traditional democracy and African organizational and managerial principles. |
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| ISSN: | 2412-5717 3034-3496 |