Relevance Of The Philosophy Of Moral Pluralism To Ethno-Religious Relationships In The Nigerian Pluralistic Society

Abstract

When a social group is ideologically homogeneous, it is usually easier to reach consensus on what is ethically appropriate and what is not. However, in an ideologically heterogeneous society such as modern pluralistic societies this is not likely to happen because people do not share the minimal ideological basis needed for true consensus. The inescapable issue is this: when a society’s ideological homogeneity is changed into one of diversity, the unanimous acceptance of key values, which had ultimately built the concept of right or wrong, is destroyed. This study describes some features of the pluralistic society as the essential cultural matrix of Moral Pluralism. It also discusses the philosophy of Moral Pluralism and shows how it is superior and more relevant to today’s problems than any of its counterfeit forms. The study considers the relevance of this philosophy of Moral Pluralism to the Nigerian pluralistic. Recommendations include a proposal for a morality of human integration for the country.