The necessity of Aristotelian Virtue Ethics in Curbing Social and Ecological Vices in West Africa

Abstract

The West African sub-region made of the countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is plagued by many social and ecological vices. The word, “vice” is used here to designate social ills, negative human behaviours causing environmental degradation, crimes, unhealthy human proclivities, inclinations, etc. Social vices include armed robbery, hostage-taking, kidnapping, human trafficking, internet fraud, corruption, embezzlement of public funds, electoral violence, and so forth. Ecological vices are inclusive of oil bunkering, deforestation, illegal mining, marine and atmospheric pollution, destruction of endangered species, inhumane treatment of animals, etc. Many of these vices certainly take place in West Africa. Vices harm social development, peace, and governance; invariably they equally impact the natural environment. The cardinal position of this paper is that society needs persons of virtuous character to tackle and conquer vices. In light of this, Aristotelian Virtue Ethics (AVE) is critically appraised and evaluated. A critical hermeneutics of AVE is done and the situations of social and ecological vices in the region are also deciphered. The relevance of AVE to the region to combat these vices is also presented. The paper finds and concludes that aspects of AVE are still relevant and can be helpful to the region.