Foundations of an African Ethic: Beyond the Universal Claims of Western Morality

In this groundbreaking book, Bénézet Bujo, a leading voice in African Christian theology, offers an informed critique of Western ethics and lays the theoretical groundwork for a new African ethic. By skillfully drawing on themes from African life such as marriage, therapy, and art, Bujo exposes the shortcomings of the philosophical anthropology implicit in Western ethics, comparing Western theories of natural law, discourse ethics, and communitarianism with the African emphasis on community and remembrance. He then considers whether African ethics can account for central Western values such as autonomy, freedom, and individual identity. Finally, he considers how African ethics both challenges the Church and contributes to its richness, suggesting that an African palaver ethic can integrate the best features of communitarianism and discourse ethics. This timely contribution to African theology will be of special interest to students of religion, comparative and non-Western philosophy, anthropology, and African studies, as well as those intrigued by ongoing debates about universal ethical norms.

Author: Benezet Bujo
Publisher: Herder & Herder
Published: 08/01/2001
Pages: 234
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.73lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.10w x 0.62d
ISBN: 9780824519056

Review Citation(s):
Choice 02/01/2002 pg. 1062
Reference and Research Bk News 11/01/2001 pg. 9

This title is not returnable