Human Nature and the Challenge of Security: Toward the Attainment of The Common Good

Abstract

Human nature, in its essence, consists in the ability of man to interrogate his condition and those of its environment through the faculty of ratiocination. However, human nature per-excellence is substantially misrepresented by the demands of societal collectivity in the process of natural sociality. By natural sociality, it is meant a condition imposed upon us, especially in Africa, wherein incalculable dogmas, through the endorsement of adherence to social values and ethos are being ingested. The thesis of natural sociality which thrives on the principle of common good requires that individuals, as members of a community acquire the values and ethos which are believed to form a blue print for achieving common good. To this extent, there are two possibilities which define the experience so far. The first is that the idea of common good is no longer common. Second is that the idea of common good is transformed from being that which represents the mind of the group (or at least its majority) into that which represents the mind of a powerful minority. This experience awakens a feeling of insecurity in the individual, after all, he is part of a community where he thinks his right will be protected, and goals, aspirations, destiny and dreams, achieved; hence the challenge of security. The point being made is that the basis of security challenges in a society is a misrepresentation of common good and is consequently an indication of a failed society. Thus, the paper argues that addressing the challenges of security in a society will require a re-enactment of the society’s idea of common good; and this can be initiated through a reawakening of rationality (which is a core principle of human nature), one that is inextricably tied with a critical outlook through which traditions and values, and more importantly the idea of common good can be subjected to further strictures, for the purpose of disbanding the challenges posed to security.