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Articles · Vol. 13 No. 2 (2009): African Sociological Review · Pages 16-28

Purpose, Human Sociality and Nature in Akiwowo’s Sociology of Knowledge: A Realist Interpretation.

  • Adeolu Ademoyo
    Adeolu Ademoyo
    Africana Studies And Research Center, Cornell University, USA. Email: aaa54@cornell.edu
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Vol. 13 · 2009 No. 2 African Sociological Review ASR

Abstract

This paper advances the view that there is an ontological commitment in Akiwowo’s sociology of knowledge which offers an exposition of his thought on purpose, human sociality, nature and society. The paper defends a realist interpretation of this ontology. It argues that a realist interpretation of Akiwowo’s account of human sociality, nature and society shows two major conclusions.One, social actions in society are human actions. Human actions are not isolated atoms. Therefore social actions are linked by the agency and, subjectivity of the human which is imbued with values and her/his capacity of sociality. Two, a condition for the continuous existence of a society is that such society has goals. The evidence for this is simple: we see it. This view of society differs from the traditional view of purposiveness in society. The paper suggests that these two conclusions show Akiwowo’s theoretical distance from positivism. This rejection of positivism moves him closer to a natural law position.

Purpose, Human Sociality and Nature in Akiwowo’s Sociology of Knowledge: A Realist Interpretation.

This paper advances the view that there is an ontological commitment in Akiwowo’s sociology
of knowledge which offers an exposition of his thought on purpose, human sociality, nature and
society. The paper defends a realist interpretation of this ontology. It argues that a realist
interpretation of Akiwowo’s account of human sociality, nature and society shows two major
conclusions. One, social actions in society are human actions. Human actions are not isolated
atoms. Therefore social actions are linked by the agency and, subjectivity of the human which is
imbued with values and her/his capacity of sociality. Two, a condition for the continuous existence of a society is that such society has goals. The evidence for this is simple: we see it. This view of society differs from the traditional view of purposiveness in society. The paper suggests that these two conclusions show Akiwowo’s theoretical distance from positivism. This rejection of
positivism moves him closer to a natural law position.

Keywords

Purpose Human Sociality Nature Akiwowo’s Sociology

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Author Biography

  • Adeolu Ademoyo

    Africana Studies And Research Center, Cornell University, USA. Email: aaa54@cornell.edu

References

  1. Adesina, J.O. 2002 “Sociology and Yo rùbá Studies: Epistemic Intervention or Doing Sociology in the ‘Vernacular’?” African Sociological Review, 6(1).
  2. Akiwowo, A.A. 1983 “Ajobi and Ajogbe; Variations On The Theme of Sociation” Inaugural Lecture Series, Ile Ife, University Press.
  3. Akiwowo, A.A. 1986. “Contributions To The Sociology Of Knowledge From An African Oral Poetry.” International Sociology (1) 4: 343-358.
  4. Akiwowo, A.A. 1991. “Responses To Makinde/Lawuyi And Taiwo.” International Sociology (6)2 : 243-251.
  5. Akiwowo, A.A. 1999.”Indigenous Sociologies: Extending The Scope Of The Argument.” International Sociology (14) 115:114-138.
  6. Fashina, O. 1988. “The Indeterminacy Thesis, Ontological and Linguistic Relativity” Second Order, New Series , An African Journal Of Philosophy Vol 1 No 1. : 63-77.
  7. Hobbes, T. 1994 Leviathan Indianapolis: Hacket Publishing Co.
  8. Lawuyi, O.B. & Taiwo, O.1990. “Towards An African Sociological Tradition: A Rejoinder To Akiwowo And Makinde” International Sociology (5) 1 :57-73.
  9. Locke, J. 2003. Two Treatises of Government. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  10. Makinde, M.A. 1998. “Asuwada Principle: An Analysis Of Akiwowo’s Contributions To The Sociology Of Knowledge From An African Perspective” International Sociology 3 (1): 61-76.
  11. Merleau-Ponty, Maurice 1968, The Visible and the Invisible, Evanston, Northwestern University Press.
  12. Merleau-Ponty, Maurice, 1964, The Primacy of Perception, Evanston, Northwestern University Press.
  13. Payne, M.W. 1992.“Akiwowo, Orature and Divination: Approaches To The Construction of An Emic Sociological Paradigm of Society”Sociological Analysis 53:2: 175-187.

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