The
three malaises as identified by Charles Taylor as afflicting American society
are namely; individualism, primacy of instrumental reason and loss of freedom
at political level. To him he deemed as what ails the American society and goes
ahead to propose remedies. In the Kenyan society which is striving to attain a
middle level economy and an education system commonly known as 8-4-4 which
connotes the number of years spent in each level namely primary, secondary and
university. Our system of education can be termed a “culling” process or
“obstacle race” whereby those who have access to the best facilities and
opportunities are graded the same by the national examination which seals their
fates.
The
malaises identified find some relevance in Kenya and we shall examine each with
corresponding examples of what is currently happening. Let’s start with the
malaise of individualism which can be described as an attitude where the self
triumphs without recourse to the means employed. The means could involve
crooked ways but this is tolerated as what counts is the individual “makes it”
in life. The apex described is characterized by attainment of lots of material
wealth in terms of houses, cars, holiday destinations, club memberships and
social amenities used for example schools and hospitals. An individual who has attained the apex of
individualism is allowed to flaunt their wealth. Our education system tends to
favor individual students who score high test scores and this fosters the
attitude that success is never collective means. There is emergence of a crop
of leaders who flaunt their wealth whose means of acquisition is shaky spells
doom for our society as individuals’ disregards societal ideals. The youth are
demanding for unrestricted freedoms as it’s considered a precondition for
attaining the individual’s desired success. Such notions as unrestricted
freedom are dangerous in the society as we need people to use freedom
responsible for the good of self and others.
The
second malaise on primacy of instrumental reason is very recent phenomenon in
our country. Instrumentalism is using reason as a means to attain certain end
considering maximum utility as the fulcrum. Under this malaise we can start
with the notion whereby the young people who are joining university are pursuing
degrees based on the perception of which degrees has the most rewarding in
monetary and prestige terms in the society. The pressure to pursue certain
fields can be dictated by certain forces like the parents, friends and society.
A recent study on youth trends in east African identified the generation “Y” as
the most flight risk employees as they are perennially in search of “green
pastures” and don’t espouse work ethos at all. Ethos like solidarity, diligence
and hard work are disregarded as what counts is how much money one makes. We
have lost the human caring aspect as human beings are considered useful as long
as services are needed. The same culture means that employers are outsourcing
much of the work so as to cut on operations costs and have optimum
profits. In Kenya currently there is a
sudden upsurge in pursuit of undergraduate studies by almost everyone at the
expense of technical courses because of the perception created that degree
holders earn maximum returns. Under this category we have to examine the
prestige attached to technology in solving all the problems that we face in
society. Technology is good as it solves some of the problems and improves
man’s life in the society, but the mistake of thinking that technology is the
ultimate solution is misplaced. Recently the government had promised that it
will supply laptops to all class one children as a solution to problems facing
delivery of primary education. This is misplaced priority in a country with
acute shortage of teachers, poorly equipped schools and where children suffer
hunger is untenable. The government needs to address these basic issues first
before turning technology as the panacea of what ails the education
sector. Technology cannot replace the
human aspects of care, but can improve on efficiency and content delivery.
The
last malaise as identified by Charles Taylor is at the political level whereby
it’s a typical middle class problem in Kenya of not participating in self
government. The middle class rant out the loudest on social media platforms but
consider it a bother to participate in picketing, demonstrations or even just
to vote. In Nairobi politicians have realized the majority of registered voters
who turn up on the Election Day are from the low class. For the middle class as
long as the government of the day exists and does the minimum to safeguards
their privileges then there no need for agitations. A closer look at
institutions at the local level for example schools and health centers
committee members is comprised of very middle class as they consider it
bothersome and since they can afford private schools and hospital there is no
need to participate in improving services. The middle class have no qualms
paying for services to private companies at t he expense of taking the local
government to task to provide for services like garbage collection. I don’t
blame this on education system as Charles Taylor would like us to belief as in
our country education is about a race to cross the finish line and enjoy the
fruits that accompanies such an accomplishment. In the Kenyan curriculum issues
on government and civil studies is well covered from lower primary to high
school and I belief this is enough to propel one to participate in self
government. To the middle class comfort is enough and national ideals should be
left to the civil societies and the lowly in the society.
i)
The
inarticulate debate
Articulate
can be defined as clarity, distinctiveness, precision or coherence of thoughts.
Charles Taylor terms his debate inarticulate which we can interpret as the
opposite of the mentioned verbs. He terms it inarticulate because it’s not
coherence and not a convincing philosophy that can be emulated to lead man to
his ultimate end. The inarticulate debate is relativism which can be defined as
“everything goes or is accepted” and there is no universal standard for morals.
Each person can formulate their own our moral ideals and live with that without
any question from other members of the society. The acceptance of such an ideal
has been mutual respect or being true to self. Such statements are inarticulate
since mutual respect demands that we correct our fellow beings when they hold
ideologies that are self destructive or affect other members of the society.
Those who hold or advocate for moral ideals are considered conservative or
traditionalist and cannot offer moral compass to the current generation as life
has changed and has led to relegation of moral ideals as hindrance to
achievement in life.
True
freedom is the ability to choose that which is proper to us human being and use
it responsibly. The current culture is clogged with the notions that for one to
“make it” in life then unrestricted freedom is a key ingredient. What is termed
freedom is the “principle of non interference” in individual matters, but the
truth though man is free his freedom is restricted for own good and society.
For
Taylor such ideas are inarticulate as it lacks coherence with mans nature and
moral relativism is not an ideal at all. Lack of transcendence of self is a
characteristic of this debate which does not recognize the spiritual component
of man. The debate conforms with materialism in that man is considered as
purely matter and all his actions can be reduced to material understanding.
Morality is in the realm of spirituality which is subjected to the principles
of materialism will fail hence admission of relativism. The idea that man in a
free state without restrictions of morality attains optimum achievement is
reductionist view which characterized the inarticulate debate.
No comments:
Post a Comment