We cannot access the Truth
An Italian city council banned the keeping of goldfish in round bowls, reports Stephen Hawkins in The Grand Design. They reasoned it would give the fish a distorted view of reality.
Hawkins then goes on to challenge the idea that any of us can have an undistorted view of reality. The goldfish could still formulate scientific laws based on its curved view of the world. These laws would be correct in its context but false in ours. The way we access the world is determined and limited by
the position from which we view it.
Colour is a Fiction
Another example. Our sense of colour is created from the frequencies of light waves. Yet light waves are colourless. Colour is something our brain creates from the light frequencies. Our perception of colour is something that happens only inside our heads. We believe we are seeing the world as it exists but all it is a psychological state. Colour is not ‘real’ and yet it is.
Perspectivism
We may believe we have the entire truth but in fact we just have a perspective (to borrow from Nietzsche). Our perspective is ‘true’ because it is ours – it reflects the reality of our own goldfish bowl – but it is not the Truth. That’s not to deny there is an objective reality – it’s just that our access to it is invariably distorted from the angle in which we view it.
The view from some else’s fishbowl
Africa has been persuaded to take on a view of the world, and of itself, which does not belong to it. We have all been convinced that there is only one game in town, only one way to see the world, and that is the one based on the idea of economic development. Europe is developed; Africa is not, so we are told.
This view plays on the strengths of the countries that developed the concept. It reflects their economic view of the world. Out of this have arisen structures developed from the traditions of those countries. When these foreign structures don’t work the way we are told they are supposed to in Africa, we seem surprised.
Africa’s history, traditions and worldview are radically different but she has been persuaded that development represents the Truth of improving yourself. Improving yourself, in the eyes of the economists, means never being content. It means always attempting to expand in a world with limited resources and land mass.
Development is only one way to see the world
Economic Development is simply one perspective which may have worked for certain countries but is not the whole truth for the rest of the world. Unfortunately, its success relies on expansion, which means convincing others it is the entire Truth. Africa’s role was never to be a player but to be the fodder on which development’s exponents can continue to develop (at Africa’s expense). Development is little more than a development of colonialism.
Without falling into relativism, we need to question those that claim direct access to Truth. Their internal logic can often appear convincing and make us feel inexpert. But we should never forget our own view of the horizon and the truth it offers for us. Equally we should be careful not to hold on to outdated views of the world that no longer correspond to the realities of the world.
Further reading:
Critical Point 
interesting.
lots of food for thought – esp about “development” (the western way) not being the whole picture, or the only way forward and about development being another name for colonialism.
This very thought-provoking piece brings to mind one issue bedevilling most Africans: Inferiority complex. We still believe in ‘the best comes from the west’ mantra so much so that we refuse to employ any sense of faith in our own efforts.
In your opinion, what constitutes a successful African nation?
You know your point about colour, it is very true. In fact, it is verifiable in science. Although this info is available, many are still racists – slaves to their own weak minds.
Good post man.
Here is a stanza from my poem called Light and Darkness
My colour exists within you,
You alter me as you see;
Your tongue—
It can be different from my tongue.
Your tongue—
It tastes as far as your eyes tint and shade.
An excellent piece that challenges us to see things in a different perspective, our perspective. So often I have argued with friends about the social security, the social development, the interpersonal bond that exists amongst us, as Africans. I go home to meet my family, an extended one and we talk, we shout, we laugh and I don’t feel like coming back from the holiday. My brother visits, my mum does, my cousin does, and we all are one people. The old need not be in homes because we love them and have enough time for them.
Unfortunately, these are the very things most people despise us for. Many believe that development comes from chasing the paper money, even if it is at the expense of your happiness. The more the better.
I know better.
Thats a great comment Nana. Now how do we find a way forward based on these strengths?
Classic economics may well ignore these components of happiness regardless of the emotional and economic security they provide. Development values production above people. Can Ghana find a better balance?
the truth is…..its the little things that counts the most. saying hello to a friend or family, showing appreciation, saying thank you, being your brother’s keeper, sharing what u have with others, being a person of integrity.
Africa is a beautiful continent with its challenges. the media has chosen to focus on the problems and leave out the values. let’s build our economies, but let us not despise the values that make us Unique.
Thanks Joseph, that’s exactly what I was trying to say!