Author(s) :

Eyasu Berento Assefa1.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Civilized Society/Enlightened community is a community where development and common affairs are participatory of all, entertaining better opportunities and choices for life. Such community gives proper place and recognition to the views and voices of children, women, the elderly and other historically excluded members of the community. Furthermore, such social fabric entertains diversities pertaining to religion, culture, history, and worldviews. Based on such assumptions, this study is a critical assessment on classical Ethiopian philosophy. The focus is given on participatory development related to gender equality, accommodation of diversity and enlightenment as portrayed in translated philosophical texts of the book of the wise philosophers (16th C) and original treatises of 17th C Ethiopian philosophers, Zara Yacob and Wolde Hiwot. As a philosophical reflection, the study uses qualitative research method. Accordingly, we can extract and take lessons for our contemporary aspirations of gender equality, accommodation of diversity and enlightenment from classical Ethiopian philosophy. Genuine development should entertain both material and spiritual aspects. As such, the development projects of certain society are expected to achieve healthy intergenerational communication, common aspirations for common good and desirable intercultural communication (where diversity is a challenge). Therefore, policy makers, practitioners, researchers and all concerned in Ethiopian desirable future need to consult indigenous knowledge systems besides foreign ideas, modern science and technology. This will save us from producing “educated community” who is detached from the self for the sake of embracing the identities of others.

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