Evaluating the Philosophical Foundations of Development Theories

J. Chidozie Chukwuokolo

Department of Philosophy and Religion, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria, West Africa.

DOI: 10.4236/ojpp.2012.24033                

Abstract

This paper in its contribution argues that there is the need to understand the metaphysical and epistemological issues that undergird human behaviour and ipso facto human nature in formulating development theories. This will enhance appropriate evaluation and application of these theories for the betterment of any society. It establishes the relevance of human nature to social theories. Accordingly, social theories spur the explanation, nature, function, institutions, and prediction of social patterns of development. Since society is primarily an amalgam of people in social intercourse, human nature impinges on human behaveiour. Thus, just as the nature of molecular behaviour enhances the understanding of the behaviour of gases, proper understanding of social theories and those things that spur them enhance the understanding of human societies. Thus the understanding of the coherence and workability of any social theory is therefore predicated on the perspective gained on human nature. The critical, analytical and evaluative methods of philosophy will be dominant in the work.

Keywords

Philosophical Foundations; Development Theories and Human Nature

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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