Ethical Challenges of Authority in a Pluralistic Society

Pluralism is more than difference in behavioral patterns. It is a fundamental difference in worldviews, and Nigeria typifies it. It implies that autonomous individuals within a societal continuum do not constitute an integral amalgamation of a body-politic. A multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual blend, Nigeria serves as a good laboratory for pluralist test. What Nigeria needs is authority in order to articulate these plural and conflicting world-views into a reasonable discourse or committed dialogue. It is then the challenge of authority in Nigeria to reconcile the apparent incompatibilities within the multiple groups into a reasonable consensus. Plagued with the pathological equivocations of human rights, incessant military coups and counter-coups, vicious ethnic discrimination and lack of regard for meritocracy, Nigeria stands as a classical example of a leaderless society. Derided by foes as a political patchwork, and portrayed by friends as a potential volcano, all that Nigeria needs is authority that can articulate her numerous but diversified potentials into a catalyst for human development. No sustainable political or social foundations could be laid in the absence of this desideratum.

Autorentext

The Author: Josephat Okanumee Nwankwo is a native of Arondizuogu and a priest of Okigwe Diocese, Imo State, Nigeria. After working variously in the pastoral, political and academic fields in his diocese, Josephat was sent to Munich, Germany where he obtained M.A. (Economic Ethics) at the Hochschule für Philosophie München and doctorate degree in Theology (Social Ethics) at the University of Munich.