PHILOSOPHY, POVERTY AND THE RE-MAKING OF THE NIGERIA NATION

Abstract

Philosophy is a discipline that has to do with critical reflective thinking. This kind of thinking is important for the development of any human society. By producing theories engendered from critical thinking, Philosophy provides us with useful tools for the emancipation of the poor and the overturning of exploitative political systems. Nigeria as a nation is in dire need of economic progress. However, this cannot be achieved without the input of critical minds. Thus to re-make Nigeria as a nation, the thought process and pattern of her citizens are to be redirected in the appropriate direction in order to make progress. It is a lack in this regard that largely accounts for her low level of development in spite of her abundant human and natural resources. This paper is an attempt to resolving this problem, through sustained critical reflections on the sources and causes of poverty and how best to address the needs of the disadvantaged. The paper concludes that to endorse Philosophy is to be on the side of freedom and creativity; which is economic progress.