ABSTRACT
The concept of Development falls under the Anthropological
part of Philosophy, but in recent times, it is attracting scholarly discussions
which demands Philosophical evaluation. Taking into consideration, the
attributes of development which includes: ontological, cultural, social and
psychological integration, many scholars from different fields of study have
contributed, but none has given a convincing link like that of Rodney’s
Marxism: where he used historical Materialism to trace economic stages, from
primitive stage to Socialism. However, He opened a new mode of intellectual
discussion which answers question on the cardinal points of development which
are; the consent of oneself, proper integration of personal, and societal
endowed potentialities, increase in skills, responsibility and material well
being, and restructuring of Superstructures. Tracing development from
subsequent ideologies would not determine quick growth of the Underdeveloped,
but maintenance of bases that serve as yardsticks for authentic development.
Giving a philosophical evaluation to Rodney’s concept of development is the
major task of this research with exposition of his Marxist philosophy from
which his influence is rooted.
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.0
BACKGROUND OF STUDY
In recent time, the concept
of development is attracting scholarly views, though, difficult to understand,
depending on the perspective one is arguing from. Its meaning can not be fully
appreciated without reference to human person because it has to do with the
realization of personal potentials and self-fulfillment.
In Rodney’s explanation, as
contained in his book; How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, the
concept of development which many scholars are taking to be economic growth and
appreciable level of modernization made us to realize that; we all are agents
of development and it is the accumulation of our efforts towards our different
societies that determines the level of our development.
Rodney tried to drag his readers
out from Plato’s cave of ignorance to the world of light, but they may not
welcome the idea because as Plato said, “if they could lay hands on the man who
was trying to set them free and lead them up, they would kill him”.1
Rodney was killed in his bid to lead humanity out of the cave of ignorance,
slavery, inequality, political insensitivity and man inhumanity to man in
Guyana.
Philosophy, as this work
contends, serves as a rational and critical enterprise which offers tools and methods
for us to evaluate Rodney’s concept of development.
1.1
Statement of the Problem
The problem this work is
trying to look into is, Rodney’s inability to see development from a
philosophical perspective. Depending on the environment and discipline that
shaped him, he treated the concept of development from historical materialism
with passionate hatred for capitalism and colonialism: forgetting the fact that
it is capitalism that set modern society into two camps: the bourgeoisie and
the proletariat camp. Without this, there would not have been class struggle
which brings about changes and development in the society.
Since development falls under
the Anthropological aspect of philosophy, it will be considerable to evaluate
the concept of development as conceived by Rodney, from philosophical
perspective: by bringing out the bases on which authentic development should be
build upon, which will help to disabuse the minds of people for the misconceptions
of other disciplines that take development to be increase in economy,
infrastructure facilities, body growth, and so on, forgetting the spiritual and
moral values which should be the bedrock of anything that should stand as
development in human society.
1.3
Scope of the Work
The scope of this work is
centered on philosophical evaluation of Rodney’s work on development. This
research is restricted to journals on philosophy of development and Rodney’s
work on development.
1.4
Method of the study.
The method we are applying here are: analytical and
critical methods. With analysis, we will be able to know etymological meaning
of some strange concepts that will becloud our minds in full understanding of
development. By using critical method, we will also be able to understand what
should stand as development. For development to be fully appreciated in the
human society, it has to be anchored on the stipulated bases.
1.5
Significance
Development is a
philosophical concept which should not be adulterated in the terminologies of
other disciplines such as economics which will take it to be increased in
economic growth or increase in GNP or scientific concept of development which
is only based in technical advancement or man’s improved ability to manipulate
nature. With philosophical ideals, the concept of development will be well
articulated.
1.7 Organization Of The Study: Accordingly,
this work is divided into five chapters. Chapter one deals with
introduction and explications of terms, chapter two is on literature review.
Chapter three treats areas of development in relation with Marx and chapter
four is on the bases for development. And chapter five is on philosophical
evaluation of Rodney’s concept of development and conclusion.
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Item Type: Project Material | Size: 105 pages | Chapters: 1-5
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