Science has been defined as “a quantitative and objective knowledge of nature” (Titus & Smith, 1974, 285). Viewed from the angle of methodology, science is regarded as “trained organized common sense”. Norman Campbell understands science to be the study of the “connecting laws between the things of nature aimed at arriving at a universally valid judgment” (1921, 37 & 46). The word science derives from the Latin scientia, which means, “to know”. In this wise, science is a quest for empirical, factual, veridical and incontrovertible knowledge. By this is meant the kind of knowledge that is backed by physical evidence. Therefore, the essence of science lies in rigour, research, and measurement, methodological orthodoxy, all aimed at exactitude. Research involves critical investigation, the setting up of a plan, and working to overcome the basic problem within the said plan. Rigour is the ability to remain disciplined, steadfast and focused on the plan made or the problem discovered.
By traditional African value system, we simply mean African culture. The expression “traditional African value system” is used to capture African culture in its pure unadulterated form in the pre-invasion (by Arabs and Europeans) days. It is interesting to note that despite the imperialistic intrusion and imposition of alien cultures upon black Africa, African culture has all the way remained resilient. Thus, the surviving values of African culture in their unadulterated forms should constitute a complete system of ideas from which Africans can generate new ideas for development. The word system as used in this essay refers to an “organized set of ideas, theories” (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 1217) and values that are pivotal to a people’s pattern of life. It is in this sense also that we understand culture to mean — the sum total or vital system of ideas from which a people gather orientation on how to direct and organize their daily activities. Culture provides a holistic, comprehensive, or general worldview for a people. In common parlance, philosophy is regarded as a worldview. The expression worldview itself describes a people’s mind set or general understanding of the world. Therefore, from the worldview of a people, we can deduce their notions of reality, truth, value and the ultimate reason behind things. From this general philosophical view of the world (i.e. the German Weltanschauung), we can further distil the fundamental concepts that act as the pillars upon which societal and educational institutions (such as religion, politics, economics, industry, commerce, engineering, science, law, communication, language, history, philosophy, medicine, etc) are built. This explains why the disruption of culture has always spelt doom to any people who suffered such historical trauma. In psychological parlance, the disruption of culture amounts to the dissociation of a people psyche. Historically, it means the truncation of the evolutional process of a people’s national or racial consciousness. Truly, culture has an essence, but this essence of culture lies in the quest to build a highly organized and stable society governed and inhabited by enlightened individuals. The essence of culture is to educate and empower individuals who will in turn transform society. The essence of culture is the sum total development of individuals in the society and the transformation of society for the good of all.
By traditional African value system, we simply mean African culture. The expression “traditional African value system” is used to capture African culture in its pure unadulterated form in the pre-invasion (by Arabs and Europeans) days. It is interesting to note that despite the imperialistic intrusion and imposition of alien cultures upon black Africa, African culture has all the way remained resilient. Thus, the surviving values of African culture in their unadulterated forms should constitute a complete system of ideas from which Africans can generate new ideas for development. The word system as used in this essay refers to an “organized set of ideas, theories” (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 1217) and values that are pivotal to a people’s pattern of life. It is in this sense also that we understand culture to mean — the sum total or vital system of ideas from which a people gather orientation on how to direct and organize their daily activities. Culture provides a holistic, comprehensive, or general worldview for a people. In common parlance, philosophy is regarded as a worldview. The expression worldview itself describes a people’s mind set or general understanding of the world. Therefore, from the worldview of a people, we can deduce their notions of reality, truth, value and the ultimate reason behind things. From this general philosophical view of the world (i.e. the German Weltanschauung), we can further distil the fundamental concepts that act as the pillars upon which societal and educational institutions (such as religion, politics, economics, industry, commerce, engineering, science, law, communication, language, history, philosophy, medicine, etc) are built. This explains why the disruption of culture has always spelt doom to any people who suffered such historical trauma. In psychological parlance, the disruption of culture amounts to the dissociation of a people psyche. Historically, it means the truncation of the evolutional process of a people’s national or racial consciousness. Truly, culture has an essence, but this essence of culture lies in the quest to build a highly organized and stable society governed and inhabited by enlightened individuals. The essence of culture is to educate and empower individuals who will in turn transform society. The essence of culture is the sum total development of individuals in the society and the transformation of society for the good of all.
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