To understand the role of philosophy in development discourse, it is necessary that we begin by examining the nature of philosophy. Philosophy is translated from Greek as the love of wisdom. It is a critical examination of the grounds of fundamental beliefs, and analysis of the basic concepts employed in the expression of such beliefs. As an academic discipline, philosophy is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existence. Philosophy can also in relative terms be considered as a theory or attitude that acts as a guiding principle for behaviour. Philosophy asks fundamental questions about the universe and the nature of human existence. “It consists of the systematic, comprehensive study of certain questions. For the most part, philosophical questions involve meaning, interpretation, evaluation, and logical or rational consistency”. Soccio (1992:9). “Some people think philosophy as the study of the most basic truths about the universe and the common situation others consider philosophy as an attempt to formulate rules for the guidance of action” Windt (1982:1).
The nature of philosophy involves curiosity and wonder. “Philosophy as an activity is the attempt to understand the general principles and ideas that lie behind various aspects of life” Thompson (1995:1). “Philosophy aims at clarification of thoughts, concepts, and the meaning of language. To philosophize is to think clearly and accurately” Thompson (1995:1). Philosophy is the constant search for truth; it makes inquiry to seek for truth devoid of errors. The nature of philosophy is best analysed in its three branches of metaphysics, epistemology and logic which also forms the instruments of philosophy. Philosophy in general is a critical reflective and rational inquiry into the nature of things and human existence.
Having understood the nature of philosophy, we now turn to the development discourse and the concept of development in general. Development discourse refers to the activities of articulating and communicating the different views and perceptions of the concept of development. It consists of the whole gamut of debate, theories and postulations regarding the concept of development. Development discourse refers to the process of articulating knowledge and power through which particular concepts, theories and practices for social change are created and reproduced. Development discourse entails the way that people talk about development as a general statement. It can also refer to the process of communication that occurs when two or more people talk about how a country or region is progressing.
“Since one of the goals of philosophy is the improvement of our understanding of ideas. Philosophical thought may become concerned with any ideas about which improved understanding is worth seeking. There is no topic about which some philosophical discussion could not be produced, if it is worth the effort.” Windt (1982:14). Hence philosophy of development undertakes a critical, reflective and rational enquiry into the theories, principles, ideas and basic assumptions of development, to give it a firm foundation and justification using the tools of logic, metaphysics and epistemology. Therefore, philosophy of development is concerned with what we think when we talk about development. It asks questions like, what should we think when we talk about development? What is development? What is the basic universal criterion upon which the theories of development should be based? What should development be? What are the criteria upon which a development theory should be based? What kind of change or progress qualifies to be called development? Must development always include change and progress?
Using the instruments of logic, metaphysics and epistemology, philosophy seeks to put development in its rightful place. Philosophy of development is concerned with what development should be and not what development is. It makes us not to accept just anything as development. It makes attempts to conceive of a concept of development devoid of any political and sentimental attachments but based on reason and rationality. Hence its duty is to ensure that development yields the desired result when it is practiced. Philosophy prescribes and directs principles, guidelines and ways with which development practices are to be carried out. Therefore, a country’s philosophy of development influences its practice of development. Philosophy of development emphasizes that developmental outcomes are based on the theories and perspectives of development. Hence, it tries to scrutinize and examine these perspectives and basic assumptions of development.
Philosophy of development is simply what we take development to be. There are various perspectives of development, therefore the need for a concrete foundation of what development ought to be. This process should attempt to alienate thoughts, belief systems and sectional views on development to arrive at a rational foundation for development. A philosophical inquiry of development through the rationalistic approach helps to divulge development from all undue stereotypes, errors and sentiments it has been linked with, which constructs development along certain ideas and paradigms that instead of bringing about development create discriminatory tendencies. This is exemplified in the categorisation of certain parts of the world as ‘third world’ and the identification of Africa or the black world as the custodians of poverty and underdevelopment.
Philosophy of development acknowledges that our development status is a reflection of our perspective and worldview of development instead of the structures on ground because; it is this perspective and worldviews that shapes our mechanisms and strategies for development. A philosophical inquiry of development through its reflective approach is concerned with what we call ‘real development’ that is, a development that directly affects the lives of human beings. It looks at development based on its ends as such it aims at redefining development along the lines of its purpose. It analyses development as a process that aims at the improvement of human lives and wellbeing. It champions a development that is felt and reflected in the human being with its impact visible beyond the papers, drawing boards and charts boards. It asks questions like, is development really bringing about change? It looks at development as going beyond economic growth to effecting tangible changes in the life of the individual and assesses development based on improvement in the living standard and wellbeing of the human person.
The role of philosophy in development is also targeted at the clarification of the concept of development. Here philosophy addresses the concept of development itself. Philosophy in development discourse helps us to distinguish between development and western civilization in the theory and practice of development. This is significant considering the fact that most African nations are guilty of pursuing western civilization in the name of development. This is one of the many traps of misconception that many countries specifically, African countries have stumbled upon in their quest for development. It helps us to conceive development strategies and policies that suit our individual peculiarities and geographical locations without necessarily copying western style or models of development or rather, a copy and paste practice of development. This is evident in the fact that some development theories do prove successful outside, but due to certain indigenous peculiarities becomes a failure in our local domains.
Since philosophy is self-reflective it ensures that in the process of development we also develop our cultures and traditions, as one of the easiest ways of measuring a people’s social change is by measuring the progress of their cultures and traditions which reflects their way of life. In essence as their way of life progresses, changes and transforms so is the state of their development. Therefore, instead of destroying our cultures and traditions to acquire those of other developed societies in the name of development, we should imbibe a perspective that sees development as beginning first with our individual lives and society before the socio-economic structures. Philosophy of development helps us to create real and authentic pathways to development without necessarily following already established routes.
The influence of the philosophical branch of ethics in development discourse cannot be overemphasized as it is concerned about ethical issues in the practice and conduct of development, especially conducts that violates basic moral principles. It ensures that the development process is kept clean i.e. ‘clean development’. It deals with wrong and right actions in development practices e.g. it questions the use of slave labour as a means of increasing production for economic growth, sale of human parts for money, degradation of the environment, bribery and corruption in executing development projects etc. philosophy of development embraces every aspect of development from conception to practice.
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