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13.02.2021 14:18 Alter: 3 yrs

Contemporary Development Ethics from an African Perspective


Call for Publications

Theme: Contemporary Development Ethics from an African Perspective
Subtitle: A Reader
Publication: Book Project
Deadline: 31.3.2021


According to David Crocker (1963), Development Ethics is an “ethical
reflection on the ends and means of socioeconomic change in
developing countries and regions.” He believes that the reflections
stem from criticism of colonialism and post-Second World War
development strategies; Denis Goulet’s writings; Anglo-American
philosophical debates about the ethics of famine relief; Paul
Streeten’s and Amartya Sen’s approaches to development.

Development ethics, therefore, is an area of applied ethics that
explores the moral issues involved in global social and economic
transformation. Development is a vision of a better life and a
process of deliberate change in order to attain it. It suggests
cultural as well as economic, social, and political fulfilment. It is
an ascent to a society in which all human beings can become “fully
human” (Helibroner, 1963). Its goal is to provide all humans with the
opportunity to live full human lives and create societal arrangements
that provide a widening range of people’s choices to pursue their
common and individual goal (Goulet 1996). Therefore, ethical
judgements regarding the good life, the good society and the quality
of relationships among people should underlie all considerations
about developmental policies and strategies. The moral dimension of
development theory and practice is just as important as the
scientific and policy components. Hence, development should be
reconceived as beneficial change, usually specified as alleviating
human misery and environmental degradation in developing countries.

Development ethics typically looks at development theories and
practice and their relationships with:

- Social justice
- Human rights
- Basic needs

While there are many discussions, reflections, and publications
(readers) on the above issues from Western perspectives, very little
has been done from African perspectives. More so, it is difficult to
come across a single reader that brings all the developmental ethical
concerns together. Therefore, this volume seeks to bridge that gap by
bringing together in one book, reflections and discussions on
questions, issues, and approaches of Development ethics that
considers African values and ethics in addressing Developmental
issues in Africa.

As we know it, development is largely defined and envisaged on a
people’s culture, tradition, and philosophy of a good life. Even at
the turn of the twenty-first century, Africa is beset with a plethora
of developmental problems. While some of these problems have been
with the people since post-colonial times without any clear-cut
solutions in sight, many others are novel issues that require fresh
perspectives and approaches to address. The African is still defining
and redefining itself both on the continent and on the global scene.
This envisaged reader seeks to grapple with these issues and others
related to them. It hopes to address questions that speak to an
African understanding of the good life, her understanding of a just
society, her position in the international community, and what she
considers duties towards the environment in relation to her
developmental agenda. 

Based on the above, this book’s focus is to reflect on contemporary
issues in development ethics from an African perspective.
Contributors to this volume are to use African values to reflect on
African perspectives and experiences on issues in development ethics.


Notes on Abstracts:

Abstracts between 500-600 words (including paper title) on any of the
above themes and topics should be sent to
developmentethics2021@gmail.com on or before 31st March 2021.
Abstracts should be easy to read and clarify the problem under
investigation, methodology, theoretical or ethical framework, and
expected possible arguments, findings or outcomes. Please do include
your full name, title and affiliation. Abstracts will be
peer-reviewed before selections are made. Feedback on abstracts
should be expected by 30th April 2021. 

Use the link below to access the full call with suggested themes and topics:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hn2Q51N3BO4NajjxpNdx-B149vA2L15f/view?usp=sharing


Editorial team:

Beatrice Okyere-Manu PhD
(Senior Lecturer and Director of Ethics Studies, School of Religion,
Philosophy and Classics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

Stephen Nkansah Morgan PhD
(Lecturer with the Department of Philosophy and Classics of the
University of Ghana Legon)

Ovett Kodilinye Nwosimiri PhD
(Visiting Academic in the Discipline of Philosophy in the School of
Religion Philosophy and Classics, University of KwaZulu-Natal)

Enquiries should be sent to the editors at:
developmentethics2021@gmail.com