African Journal of Philosophy and Religious Studies

African Journal of Philosophy and Religious Studies ISSN 1621-4587 Vol. 6 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Religion and trading network formation: The paradigm of Islam as a substitute to contract law

D. Stamatakis

Athens National and Kapodistrian University, Division of Economic Development, 5, Stadiou Str., Athens 10562, Greece. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +302103689353. Fax: +302103689352.

Accepted 22 November, 2019

Abstract

This article adapts J. Landa’s theoretical proposition of EHMG regarding the effect of social factors on contract breach. It explores its applicability of the Islamic faith on the trading schemes that formatted in the era of the Ottoman Empire. Specifically, it analyzes the specific doctrines of the Islamic faith as expressed through the ‘Sharia’ and the means by which they facilitated trading –in the absence of contract law - over a vast region of inhomogeneous populations. The proceeding analysis implies the existence of an exclusive trading network in the Ottoman Empire that complied by the Islamic code of ethics and, even though a minority, was occupied by Muslims.

Key words: Trading networks, contract law, Islamic faith, Ottoman Empire.

African Journal of Philosophy and Religious Studies ISSN 1621-4587 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-010, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Convergence of diverse religions at Zimbabwe heritage sites: The case of great Zimbabwe National monument

*¹Munyaradzi Mawere, ²Munyaradzi Elton Sagiya and Tapiwa R. Mubaya

¹Associate Professor at Universidade Pedagogica, Mozambique

²Archaeologist at Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site

³Master of Arts Degree in Heritage Studies from the University of Zimbabwe

Accepted 13 September, 2019

Abstract

Cultural heritage sites in Africa have since time immemorial attracted diverse spiritual beliefs, practices, political and socio-economic activities thereby creating cultural remains and settlements now referred to as heritage. The formation and conservation of heritage sites has always been a welcome idea given that they significantly help conserving the African culture and exhibiting the wisdom of Africa that for centuries has been overshadowed and subjugated by western imperialism. Yet due to the legacy of colonialism and the consequences of globalization, heritage sites in many parts of Africa have become centers of rivalry, antagonism and rarely centers for mutual conversations in so far as religion is concerned. In post independence Zimbabwe for instance, religion along with political, socio-economic factors continue to play a pivotal role in the cultural and spiritual realms of societies. However, globalization which has brought about religious independence in the country has resulted in the emergence of multiple religious sects and beliefs with almost antithetical doctrines resulting in serious conflicts at heritage sites. Using stories, written documents and informal interviews, this paper draws from past and current experiences at Great Zimbabwe monument, a heritage site and shrine that was and is still revered for its religious significance. It notes that there is a universal religious connection between heritage sites and the beliefs that followers of different religions such as Christianity and African traditional religion hold. The piece furthers to point out that from this universal connection, conflicts on religious use of heritage sites arise between different religious groups and for heritage sites managers.

Keywords: Africa, Zimbabwe, Cultural heritage sites, religion, Christianity, African traditional religion, apostolic sects, Great Zimbabwe.

African Journal of Philosophy and Religious Studies ISSN 1621-4587 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-011, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Engineering science and philosophy

Zekâi ẞen

Istanbul Technical University, Civil Engineering Faculty, Hydraulics and Water Resources Division, Maslak 34469, Istanbul, Turkey. E-mail:[email protected]r

Accepted 02 October, 2019

Abstract

Engineering services and structures are among the cornerstones in any civilization growth and development for the social harmony of the society. In the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of these structures, engineers had innovative practical and creative artistic abilities in the past, but systematic education and training programs led them to get away from such abilities with more emphasis on the analytical and numerical ability improvements with deductive inferences leading to standard solutions. Although analytical intelligence and ability are indispensible gradients in mass production, their crisp and hard rule applications do not provide creative bases in engineering career. It is the main theme of this paper to emphasize the significance of science philosophy entrance into the engineering education and training. Without such a basis engineers expect case study solutions and ready software or formulation matching in their problem solving stages and hence creative abilities are not cared for future improvements and advancements. Philosophy of science provides dynamism into the creative intelligence of engineers.

Key words: Apprentice, deduction, education, philosophy, master, memorization, science.

African Journal of Philosophy and Religious Studies ISSN 1621-4587 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Reflections on the philosophy behind the different universities in Uganda

Anthony Mugagga Muwagga

Makerere University School of Education, Kampala Uganda. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 13 January, 2019

Abstract

Increasingly, university education in Uganda is becoming very popular. Before 1992, discussing university education in Uganda and for most of Sub Saharan Africa was not very difficult because there were few universities. The liberalization and introduction of the private sponsoring scheme in public universities, emergence of the denominational, for-profit and community private universities have all made discussing university education problematic. Though the Uganda government white paper on education 1992, gives the basic principles which must guide all levels of education in Uganda, the lack of a clear and uniform philosophy informing and guiding the different universities creates a plethora of challenges to the debate of the philosophy of education behind the different universities in Uganda. This paper using a descriptive case study research design tries to identify the underlying philosophical underpinning behind the different universities in Uganda. These include: public, religious or denominational, the for-profit and cultural oriented universities. The paper concludes that different universities in Uganda draw their philosophy of education from their founding body’s rationale for providing university education. It is also concludes that there seem to be no unifying philosophical underpinning for the entire university system in Uganda. It can also be concluded that, unlike public, for-profit and cultural or community universities, denominational universities seem have a more refined and specific philosophy of education.

Keywords: University and University philosophy of education.

Keywords: Causality, Buddhism, African Philosophy.