RELEVANCE OF PHILOSOPHY (REASON) AND ST THEOLOGY (FAITH) IN THE 21 CENTURY: GOTANISM AND MATTERS ARISING

This paper seeks to present the relevance of Philosophy and Theology for human st development and by extension the society in the 21 Century. Due to the exactitude of Science and Technology in addressing human material needs, there are calls that the dual disciplines of Philosophy and Theology have nothing to offer contemporary society. Consequently, there is a deliberate move from the level of government policy and admission quotas in higher institutions to de-market the discipline of Philosophy and Theology because of the misconception of their utility values. There are so many factors responsible for these misconceptions; but, majorly linked scientism which drives the rush for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education. Though STEM education seeks to address the material dimension of human existence through the productions of tangible products or values. Nonetheless human existence also has intangible values that are also enduring for the survival of the human society. These intangible values bothers seriously on human existential concerns. It is these existential concerns which are not limited only to materiality; but affect human values in a world that is far becoming confused and diffused in misplaced values and concerns which Philosophy and Theology corrects in Gotanism. Gotanism is an ideological praxis that seeks to establish the ever more relevance of philosophy and theology as the foundation and fountain to which other disciplines seek their refuge when starved, and always nourished in the intellectual waters. It is an approach to integrate, interact, engage, and communicate philosophy and theology to other disciplines as a multi-disciplinary symbiotic engagement for continuous interaction in advancing the progress of society. This has become even more relevant in the face of the progress made by science and technology; and how philosophy and theology is still science in its systematic nature. This paper implores a qualitative and analytic exploration to argue the contemporary relevance of philosophy and theology as the basic elements that society needs towards authentic and integral development. In so doing, the paper shall challenge scholars in the field of philosophy and theology to continuously enrich this field of study imploring multi-disciplinary engagement for global attraction.

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