The Study of Man. By Michael Polanyi. Price, $1.75. Pp. 102. University of Chicago Press, 5750 Ellis Ave., Chicago 37, 1959. One subtitle to Polanyi's challenging and fascinating book might be The Evolution and Natural History of Error , for Polanyi is at pains to expunge what he believes to be the false notion contained in the contemporary view of science which treats it as an object and basically impersonal discipline. According to Polanyi not only is this a radical and important error, but it is harmful to the objectives of science itself. Another subtitle could be Farewell to Detachment , for in place of cold objectivity he develops the idea that science is necessarily intensely personal. It is a human endeavor and human point of view which cannot be divorced from nor uprooted out of the human matrix from which it arises and in which it works. For a good while

Personal Knowledge: Towards a Post-Critical Philosophy

The Dynamics of Modernization: A Study in Comparative History.

The Moral Purpose of the State: Culture, Social Identity and Institutional Rationality in International Relations

Economic and political foundations of state-making in Africa: understanding state reconstruction

有關“傳統生態智慧”(Traditional Ecological Knowledge)的二、三事

Africa has rich traditions and knowledge systems founded on the principles of caring for one another and the spirit of mutual support embedded in the African philosophy of Ubuntu. These collective values tend to be marginalised in international human rights standards built on western values. The standards were developed without broad-based consultation of the different value systems in Africa. Therefore, in order to inspire sustainable implementation among diverse cultures, dialogue to develop universal human rights and obligations based on the diversity of cultures and ways of knowing is needed. Using South Africa's experience at two universities, the extent to which these institutions have attempted to incorporate African indigenous knowledge systems (AIKS) and human rights into the higher education curriculum is investigated. The implications for higher education and the human rights and development paradigms built on western knowledge systems are investigated. North-West University has been th...

African Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Human Rights: Implications for Higher Education, Based on the South African Experience

paper uses secondary sources and the experiences of two higher educational institutions in South Africa to interrogate the challenges and prospects of integrating African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS) into higher education. The community-based nature of AIKS enables graduates to appreciate the role of culture in education and to be sensitive to the developmental challenges of local communities. The interrogation reveals the challenges of inadequate AIKS qualified staff, reference materials and limited institutional management support due to lack of knowledge and awareness on the importance of AIKS in the modern world. There is also lack of a conceptual framework to provide a clear African perspective and understanding of the concept 'knowledge'. This could have provided a guide for developing methodologies of integrating AIKS into higher education. However, in spite of these limitations, there is currently an increasing knowledge and awareness among different stakeholders on the role of AIKS in sustainable livelihood and development. This works in the advantage of IKS graduates in terms of job opportunities and promotion of an Africa-led globalization.

Integration of African Indigenous Knowledge Systems into Higher Education in South Africa: Prospects and Challenges

Contrary to the western view the Batswana were not mere victims of natural disasters. The case study of their indigenous knowledge systems on natural disaster management, demonstrates the wide know...

African Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Natural Disaster Management in North West Province, South Africa

The paper examines the issues on elections, constitutionalism and problems of 
political stability in Tanzania. An examination of the state and constitutionalism 
in Tanzania shows that the state in Tanzania may be characterised as 
authoritarian. Like in most other African countries the constitution has been 
frequently amended to ensure that the executive, especially the President and 
the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), become dominant and remain in 
power. State authoritarianism has been justified by the need to maintain order 
and by the ideology of developmentalism. Even after the introduction of the 
multi-party system the electoral process and election system are still dominated 
by the ruling party. The difference between the state and CCM is still blurred. 
lbrg The conduct of elections has been a major source of discontent for the 
opposition. Therefore, new electoral laws and truly independent election 
commissions are required which ensure that the playing fields are levelled 
and fair to all political parties. Moreover, in spite of the amendment of the 
1977 constitution in 1984 to provide more equality between men and women 
in all spheres of life, there is still a huge gap between law and practice with 
regard to the principle of equality. Women still face more problems than 
men in the electoral process. The latter are still more represented in both 
parliament and cabinet. Furthermore, political and economic liberalisation has brought new 
political and social tensions in the country, based on ethnicity, race, religion, 
and increasing poverty. These tensions pose a great challenge to peace and 
stability, and to the future of the union. Sustainable solutions need to be 
found. For instance, people should be educated about their rights and taught 
to resent corruption. Moral and professional ethics should be inculcated 
in public servants, and job security should be provided to reduce the 
temptations for quick money. The state should play an active developmental 
role besides keeping law and order. Finally, a lasting solution needs to be 
found to the Union question because in this era of multi-partyism and 
openness, it is even more important that matters are discussed and solutions 
found that are based on popular will.

/pdf/electoral-violence-political-stability-and-the-union-in-30d05x96bx.pdf

Electoral violence, political stability and the union in Tanzania

The paper uses a participatory and case study approach to discuss the importance of sorghum as an
indigenous drought resistant crop for food security in the North-West province of Cameroon. It was found that
sorghum was experiencing a decline in production due to: the colonial introduction of exotic cash crops, limited
cultivation land and tenure insecurity, lack of farming equipment and government financial support to small-scale
farmers. It is recommended that the government develop policy strategies to promote the cultivation of indigenous
food crops; support the interface between indigenous and modern knowledge systems to improve production;
promote indigenous knowledge awareness among government extension officers; support small-scale sorghum
farmers, especially women, with modern inputs and equipment, finance and research for information on sorghum
production, post-harvest and marketing channels. This will assist them to improve productivity and sustainability
of sorghum production.

Hassan O. Kaya

Papers

African Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Human Rights: Implications for Higher Education, Based on the South African Experience

Integration of African Indigenous Knowledge Systems into Higher Education in South Africa: Prospects and Challenges

African Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Natural Disaster Management in North West Province, South Africa

Electoral violence, political stability and the union in Tanzania

Sorghum as an Indigenous Drought Resistant Crop for Food Security in the North West Province of Cameroon