Ìdàgbàsókѐ: An African Notion of Organic Development Ethics

Abstract

Relevance and influence in the current world among nations and continents are largely measured in terms of development. Development is primarily viewed as economic and technological growth such that a country that is not advanced economically and technologically can hardly have “a voice” in the comity of nations. Development is so crucial to how a country is perceived internationally that it determines how a country is identified—whether “developed,” “developing,” or “underdeveloped.” All these descriptive terms are, however, suggestive of power play among nations—who has power, who lacks it, who is gaining it, or who is losing it. This essay argues against the popular idea of development, which sees development as predominantly technology- and economy-based. Arguing from the stance of Yorùbá conception of ìdàgbàsókè (development), this essay advocates a definition of sustainable development that is people-centered and, hence, focused on moral traits as found in ọmọlúàbí (a person of honor, good character, and integrity) rather than on just technology or the economy.