Abstract
This paper examined African indigenous values and the problem of moral standards within the context of contemporary ethical discourse. The study is motivated by the growing tension between traditional African moral systems and modern ethical structures. It critically analyzed the nature, relevance, and limitations of African indigenous values as moral standards, while also interrogating the challenges of moral relativism and cultural particularism. The paper is limited to philosophical reflections on African ethics, with an emphasis on key values such as communalism, respect for authority, and human dignity. The significance of the study lies in its contribution to ongoing debates on the universality versus relativity of moral standards, particularly in African societies experiencing cultural transformation. The justification for this research stems from the need to reassess indigenous moral outlooks in light of contemporary ethical challenges, including human rights concerns and social change. The paper adopted an analytic and critical approach, drawing on both traditional and contemporary African philosophical texts to evaluate the consistency and applicability of indigenous values. It argued that while African indigenous values offer a vigorous foundation for moral reasoning, they require critical reinterpretation and integration with universal ethical principles. The study proposed a complementary moral framework that aligns African indigenous ethics with global moral standards, thereby providing a more balanced and context sensitive approach to ethical evaluation in modern African societies.
Keywords: Values, African, Indigenous Values, Morality, Moral Standard
Authors:
Calixtus Augustine Inyang, M.A
Department of Philosophy
University of Uyo, Uyo
Email: calixtus.a.inyang@outlook.com
Caleb Umoh Edet, M.A.
Department of Philosophy,
University of Uyo, Uyo.
Email: gentle.ce@gmail.com
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