4. ‘LIVE AND LET LIVE’: THE AFRICAN [“IGBO”] TRADITIONAL STRATEGY FOR CONTEMPORARY CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Okoye, Uche Miriam – Department of Philosophy,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
+2347062666476 okoye.uche@unn.edu.ng
Ezeanya, Winifred Chioma – Department of Philosophy,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
+2347035780556 winifred.ezeanya@unn.edu.ng
&
Chukwuma, Joseph Nnaemeka, Ph.D – Department of Philosophy,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
+2348037723330 nnaemeka.chukwuma@unn.edu.ng
Abstract
‘Live and Let Live’ is a liberal, ethical and political principle upheld in the African traditional society which appears to have been lost through time. It is encapsulated in African culture and is embodied in its songs, proverbs, folktales and poems. This principle involves the existential requirement to live an authentic life, fully and freely, and to allow others live likewise. As an ethical paradigm, it believes there can be no genuine conflict resolution unless the mind is refined and cultivated. And. as a political paradigm, it sees the people as the greatest resource of a country, and critically examines societal values and practices for peaceful co-existence. This paper is concerned with a philosophical exposition of this traditional ethical/political concept which is an attempt at its rediscovery and re-application in contemporary times. It is also a portrayal of African oral ethics as an indispensable tool for inculcating the values of tolerance, non-violence, good neighbourliness and good conduct as panacea for conflicts. The research methods adopted in this paper are philosophical, historical, analytical and expository. This involves the exposition of African oral ethics as it relates to conflict resolution and the application of secondary means of data collection.
Key Words: Live and let live, Conflict resolution, Traditional Africa, Non-violence.