The Human Person, African Ubuntu and the Dialogue of Civilisations - Chris Vervliet

The Human Person, African Ubuntu and the Dialogue of Civilisations contributes to the ongoing discussions about the clash of civilisations, illustrating the potential of a dialogue based on the dignity of the human person. The author invites the reader to an intellectual exploration, which is premised on the thesis that 'a person is a person through other persons', the central idea of the (South) African Ubuntu philosophy. He discusses the differences and similarities in the philosophies of such reputed African leaders like the late Leopold Senghor, Julius Nyerere and Kwame Nkrumah, showing how Ubuntu not only shares similar concerns about interpersonal relations but also attempts to come to terms with present-day requirements and hindsight. The book highlights Ubuntu's potential to promote corporate life and reconcile it with African concerns for consultation and participation. It widens the debate by comparing Ubuntu with the personalism inherent in European, American and some non-Western traditions through a discussion of such themes as corporate culture, societal pluralism and sustainable development.