Philosophy

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Political Power, Morality and Justice: Critique of Thomas Hobbes’ Political Philosophy
(Addis Ababa University, 2022-07-01) Eyasu Decha; Kebadu Mekonnen (PhD) Fasil Merawi (PhD)
The purpose of this thesis is to present critiques of Thomas Hobbes' political philosophy, with a particular emphasis on the theoretical analysis of meta-ethical beliefs. He observed that morality and justice are the commands that a political power holder or a sovereign issue to the people of a commonwealth. These are the questions that I addressed in my thesis: what are the critical concepts that Hobbes discussed how they can serve as the foundation for his moral beliefs, and what the weaknesses of his arguments are. The thesis introduces the concepts of moral cognitivism and non-moral cognitivism. Furthermore, it necessitates a critical examination of Hobbes' and moral prescriptivism, as well as Locke's and moral cognitivism. In the thesis, I conclude that Hobbes' belief in morality appears to be invalid because his assumptions about the state of nature, humans, natural law, the social contract, and the commonwealth are disconnected from some relevant grounds. The thesis contends that the natural origin of moral truth is. It also emphasizes that morality is a matter of the human conscience. As a result, it contends that morality is independent of the formation of a government. The thesis also recommends the agreement's necessity; that is, it is required for the establishment of a legitimate government as well as for a specific individual or social purpose. Regardless, no agreement should violate human rights or freedoms or contradict natural law.
Antecedents, Appraisal, Coping Strategies and Psychosocial Adjustment Among Cervical Cancer Patients in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Mixed-Method Study
(Addis Ababa University, 2022-11-01) Anteneh Dirar; Wubegzier Mekonnen (Dr)
Despite great developments in diagnostic and treatment modalities for cervical cancer, overall psychosocial adjustment difficulties lead to poor health outcomes and reduced adherence to therapy. Accordingly, this study assessed the antecedents, appraisal, coping strategies, and psychosocial adjustment among cervical cancer patients in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. A cross-sectional, mixed-method study design was employed. The quantitative study collected data from 299 women and analyzed using descriptive, correlation, multiple regression, and path analysis. The qualitative study collected data through in-depth interviews with 11 women and analyzed via thematic analysis. The quantitative study revealed that most women experienced significantly greater psychosocial adjustment difficulties. They appraise their illness as a threat and harm/loss than a challenge. The result indicated that uncertainty, self-efficacy, presence of meaning in life, harm/loss and challenge appraisal, problem-focused coping, and emotion focused coping strategies were significant predictors of psychosocial adjustment difficulty. Besides, the mediating role of cognitive appraisal and coping strategies in the association between antecedents and psychosocial adjustment was partially supported. The qualitative study findings indicated that women experienced a lack of satisfaction with health care, struggle in work and daily life, and financial difficulties. Women employed various strategies to cope with their illness such as accepting, diverting attention, and religiousness. They experienced delays in seeking medical care because of limited awareness and repeated practice of traditional rituals. Information and advice from health professionals were the most crucial support need identified. The integrated study findings show that women’s personal and environmental antecedents influence their appraisal and coping strategies, and consequently their psychosocial adjustment with diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. Finally, it was recommended that cervical cancer treatment needs to integrate the psychological and social components of health. Also, expanding diagnostic and treatment facilities should be considered to help women access timely and cost-effective care.
Critique of Classical Epistemological Thinking: A Postmetaphysical and Postmodern Perspective
(Addis Ababa University, 2023-06-01) Hana Delka; Bekele Gutema (Prof.)
In the history of philosophy, epistemological thought has taken on many forms and has been the subject of numerous epistemological doctrines. In order to provide valuable answers to epistemological questions, some philosophical positions are located in the abstract, supersensible, or transcendental realm. While the other philosophical positions are located in subject-object philosophy. However, with the emergence of postmetaphysical thinking and postmodernism, the classical epistemological thought has come under heavy criticism. Because both of them operate in a linguistic and socio-historical turn in philosophy. Such questions about the subject and the universal conception of truth are disregard. Postmetaphysical thinker Jürgen Habermas disregarded the abstract world; in return, operating within the linguistic turn, he developed communicative rationality as an alternative foundation of theory of knowledge and truth. Communicative rationality holds that truth and knowledge are rooted in language rather than the transcendental realm. On the other hand, Jean-François Lyotard was one of the postmodern thinkers who criticized the universal, transcendental classical conception of epistemological thinking because it entertained grand narratives and founded mini narratives as alternative means to provide knowledge and truth. Therefore, both Habermas and Lyotard embrace their new alternative theory of truth by criticizing classical epistemological assumptions. One of this thesis’s central questionsis to answer,"Do they succeed?" In this thesis, my aim is two-fold: first, todiscuss, examine, and criticize Habermas’ communicative paradigm and Lyotard’s conception of mini narratives as an alternative foundation of truth. Second, through such analysis and examination, I shall argue that both Habermas’ communicative paradigm and Lyotard’s mini narratives do not succeed as alternative foundations of truth. I argue that Habermas’ communicative paradigm does not fully succeed because, it has some Eurocentric element, it is instrumental, and it is just an ideal/utopian concept. It also fails to ensure equal opportunity for all and fails to be universal at all, or cannot escape from relativism. Furthermore, I argue that Lyotard’s conception of mini narratives, as an alternative foundation of truth does not succeed because it fails to overcome the crisis and societal problems. Having different conceptions of truth fosters a sense of meaninglessness and purposelessness. Therefore, in this thesis, I argue that both Habermas and Lyotard’s alternative theories of truth lead to nihilism; we need to evaluate, improve and revise their theories.
On the Compatibility of Possibilism With Quantum Mechanics
(Addis Ababa University, 2023-10-01) Abinet Yeshiwas; Setargew Kenaw (PhD)
One of the prevailing views in the field of philosophy of time is Possibilism, also known as the growing block universe theory. This theory posits that the universe is constantly growing and changing, with the past being fixed and the future being open. Nevertheless, the consistency between this theory and quantum physics remains a subject of continuous scholarly debate. This thesis gives a persuasive argument that asserts the compatibility between the theoretical framework of Possibilism and the principles of quantum physics. Through the embrace of the Copenhagen Interpretation, a profound perspective on Quantum Mechanics, wherein reality is intricately linked to the observer's presence, I posit that the very essence of the future resides within its inherent metaphysical indeterminacy. This indeterminacy, in turn, engenders a state of openness, wherein possibilities abound and outcomes remain uncertain. I possess an argument that seeks to ascertain the reality of the past, utilizing profound concepts such as the arrow of time, the enigmatic measurement problem, and the intricate phenomenon of entanglement. The inherent unpredictability of future events, which makes it imperceptible to an observer in the present, when combined with the reality the of past events, finally leads to a deep comprehension: The perspective of Possibilism, which considers the future as a realm abundant with potential rather than predetermined certainty, may be effectively integrated with the foundational principles of Quantum Mechanics.
The Current Decentralization Process in Ethiopia the Case of Oromia Region
(AAU, 2001-05) Belay, Hailu; Spread, Patrick(PhD)
Decentralization is believed to improve development activities by allowing lower levels of government bodies and the people at large to participate in development planning and implementation. Of course, such participatory development through decentralization can be realized if important preconditions such as political commitment, availability of and access to resources, capacity of implementing agencies and the like are adequately met. The on-going decentralization process in Ethiopia has introduced a major change in the political, economic and social systems of the country. The new decentralization process, effected since 1991 , is organized under federal form of government whereby the country has been divided into nine regional governments and one city administration under the umbrella of the Federal Government. The regions are delimited mainly based on historical, linguistic and ethnic considerations. This study is aimed at investigating the process of decentralization in the country. It is conducted mainly on a case study technique where one region, Oromia Region, is randomly selected from among the regions in the country. The research provides a brief description of the conceptual framework of decentralization, then the data collected and its analysis. Finally it presents conclusions arrived at. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were used. Interviews were conducted with 25 key informants-individuals assumed to have particular knowledge on the issue of decentralization. Group discussions and survey questionnaires with 14 participants were also included in the research. Oromia Region is the largest of all in terms of territorial size and population. It has a relatively strong institutional and manpower situation as compared to other regions. However, close scrutiny of regional activities reveals that there is a lot to be done. Although authority and powers seem to be decentralized, the extent of decentralization below regional levels, to the zonal, woreda and kebele levels is limited. Moreover, the decentralization process in the Oromia region is challenged by many problems such as low revenue basis, very low administrative and manpower capacity and poor inter-organizational arrangements and relationships. There is a large vertical imbalance between the revenue raising powers and expenditure responsibilities of the Oromia Region. Therefore, every year, more than 70 percent of the budget of the region is granted by the Federal Government in the form of unconditional subsidy. This means that in Ethiopia, expenditure responsibilities have tended to be centralized in favor of the Federal Government.
The Symmetrical-integral Model of Conceptual Change:The Case of Physical and Chemical Thermodynamics
(AAU, 2012) Assefa, Shimeles; Asgedom, Amare PhD
The purpose of this study is to develop and test the symmetrical-integral model of conceptual change Development of Conceptual change models is a growing area of research in science education.A survey of conceptual change research helped me develop a new model of conceptual change which I called . The spiral Cognitive-Sociocultural Model 0f Conceptual Change, This new conceptual change model was tested on Grade 12 physical thermodynamics and chemical thermodynamics units teaching dressed with my hybrid method of Reasoned persuasive Collaboration from a class of Critical Analytic pedagogies.This model,unlike previous models requires change in both rational/knowledge and extra rational or motivation, affection, and other s socio-cultural factors.
The Reaction of Postcolonial Theory and African Philosophy to Western Discourse on Africa
(Addis ababa university, 2021-11) Biru, Abebe; Gutema (Profs), Bekele
European discourse on Africa had been the key challenge since the racists continued to deny the non-white identity and humanity. Racist Europeans had deliberately introduced anti-black discourses that degraded non-white people. The discourse of some white scholars had a perceptible upshot against black people. Beyond theoretical articulation a discourse of some white scholars had pragmatic consequences. To verify the impact of anti-black discourse of the West this thesis attempted to mention some anthropological discourses of the West. It seems to be that some discourses served as a precondition to colonize non-white people. The thesis attempts to uncover the reactions made by scholars of subjugated society. There is one fact that nobody can deny regarding postcolonialist engagements. Since there was the same desire between postcolonialists that is decolonization. While a difference was there among the postcolonialists concerning the method and theories. Postcolonialists had undertaken violence, non-violence, assimilation, and particularism as means to stop the colonial rule. This thesis has made a critical appraisal in the aforementioned approaches of postcolonialist perspectives. Postcolonial theories are largely envisioned to compensate the colonized people. In all dimensions the West endeavored to characterize the non-white people as backward, uncivilized, and inferior. The thesis assessed the center and peripheral polarity and the attempts made by humanitarian thinkers to overcome extremists’ thoughts. It attempted to uncover the unchanged conditions of postcolonial society. This leads us to question the aftermath of colonial rule and erstwhile colonialists’ presence in their x-colonies. It is indisputable, no one able to conclude colonizers are entirely departed from their x-colonies. Rather in one way or other anti-black power survives in Africa and legacies of colonizers are extensively realized in Third world States. Formal colonialism has ended, and the postcolonial state is sovereign in theory but in reality, its economic system and its political policy continues to be directed from outside. Neo-colonialism trapped the postcolonial state, this contributes a lot to the untransformed conditions of formerly colonized people. In connection to postcolonialist efforts to overcome problems of colonialism, the thesis has also mentioned some predominant theories of African philosophy. I will argue that between center and peripheral divisions of culture, assimilation could not resolve the difficulties. Instead of this ‘betewahido kebere’ is supposed to be the important thing to solve the tension between different cultures. Key Words: Cultural Imperialism, Colonialism, Postcolonialism, Neo-colonialism, Negritude, Afrocentrism, Betewahido Kebere
A Quest for Modernized Ethiopia: A Perspective from Western Modernity
(Addis ababa university, 2021-05) Habtewold, Mekasha; Merawi (PhD), Fasil
Universalism Vs Particularism: Hermeneutics as an Intermediary Approach for African Philosophy
(Addis Ababa University, 2020-12) Yitayew, Fentahun; Gutema(Prof), Bekele
The issue of identity, methodology, and relevance has never been uncontroversial in African philosophy. As a result of the intentional attempt of Eurocentric scholarship that nullifies the identity and historical contributions of African peoples, the subject of African identity and methodology becomes the chief area of African philosophy. Eurocentric scholarship characterized itself as the only path of humanity’s progress and its philosophy as universal and modern. Furthermore, it also characterized its alleged ‘other’ like the Africans as backward and particular/ traditional. This characterization caused the chief topic of this thesis, which is the debate between universalism and particularism. One of the main ideas in the criticism of the universalistic schools of thought against particularism is the cultural attachment in philosophy and collective thought. This makes the thought of the philosopher, which is categorized under the umbrella of the school of ethnophilosophy as traditional and irrelevant. In this thesis, by holding the middle road of the hermeneutical approach, I have criticized some essential points of both universal and particular schools. And the finding shows that, since philosophy evolves from culture, every philosophy, whether it is African or not, has particular features. But the fact of the recognition that philosophy originates from a particular culture doesn’t in any way invalidate the universality of its problems. Key Words: Universalism, Particularism, Hermeneutics, Culture, African, Philosophy.
Causality, Rationality, and Mysticism: An Inquiry into Ghazali’s Theory of Knowledge.
(Addis Ababa University, 2020-10) Yimer, Abdu; Kenaw, Dr. Setargew
Philosophers have largely and unceasingly disputed the epistemological place of rationality and the relationship between observational causes and effects. The purpose of this study is to examine the epistemological relationality between Ghazali’s critique of the necessitarian notion of causality as well as pure rationality. Building upon, his emphasis in underlining the compatibility of the rational knowledge with the religious one, along with his introducement of secondary theory of causality, this study argues that, Ghazali never nullified observable causal relations and the role of reason in one’s epistemological search. Nevertheless, his critique of necessitarian causal nexuses resulted from his belief of creating an epistemic space for miracles on the one hand, and he also challenged the totalitarian place of rationality to create an epistemic space for the Sufi’s mystical experiences, on the other. This thesis will provide that, following his/her achievement of the hard task of polishing the heart, the Sufi saint could possibly acquire an epistemic state that transcends rationality and became able to perform some miracles that trespass the observable causal connections. Therefore, I situated the Sufi saints as a pivotal point within which the epistemological relationality takes place. Keywords: Causality, Miracles, Rationality, Sufi-experiences, Epistemic-relationality
Examination of Ethiopia’s Ethnic Federalism from Intercultural and Multicultural Perspectives
(Addis Ababa University, 2020-02) Yitbarek, Abel; Gutema(Prof), Bekele
Ethiopia adopted ethnic-based federalism since 1991 when the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) took power from the military junta. This party (EPRDF) has been established through the coalition of different parties, but it was highly dominated by one party the Tigrian Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF). EPRDF tried to adopt a federal system by dividing regional units along ethnic lines. Currently, Ethiopia’s ethnic-based federalism can’t solve the questions of different ethnic groups. Conceptually, ethnic federalism by itself does not affect the interethnic relations of groups. It is possible to establish a democratic multiethnic state through the ethnic-based federal system. Recognizing of ethnic identity to form a federal system cannot affect the interethnic relations of different groups; but this requires adequate democratic and multicultural institutions to protect the identities of individuals and groups. Currently, the issue of national or group identity is a universal phenomenon that most states are facing. Thus, all states must manage this issue in a democratic way. The Ethiopian ethnic federalism is simply adopted by the will of EPRDF without the participation of others. It is adopted without constructing democratic institutions to solve issues of inequalities, injustices that different ethnic groups raised. Furthermore, it is established without considering the ‘ethnic-consciousness’ of the citizens. Thus, it is important to build democratic and multicultural institutions to resolve these issues, and to build the feeling of commonality among different ethnic groups. Intercultural and multicultural perspectives are important to build these institutions and to accommodate and integrate the interest of different groups. This thesis examines Ethiopia’s ethnic federalism from the perspectives of interculturalism and multiculturalism. Intercultural and multicultural perspectives use to create a society that accepts and respects the cultures, values, and ideas of other groups. It also uses to balance individual and group rights in multiethnic states. For Ethiopia, it is important to adopt these perspectives in order to solve the current ethnic group conflicts and to accommodate the ethnic federal system. Additionally, it is important to create multicultural citizenship and a multicultural Ethiopian state. Methodologically, this thesis uses information gathered from books, articles, and other materials. Key Words: Federalism, Ethiopia, ethnic federalism, democracy, interculturalism, multiculturalism, multicultural citizenship.
The Idea of Peace in the United Nations: A Critical Analysis from Moral Perspectives
(Addis Ababa University, 2020-06) Walelegn, Yodit; Dewo (Ph.D.), Tenna
The United Nations (UN) efforts towards the maintenance of international peace and security have been criticized by members, nonmember states, scholars, philosophers and diplomats. The organization’s peacekeeping and security missions are influenced by forces other than the Charter as well as the negotiation made on cases. As a result, many demanding occasions of peacekeeping missions of the United Nations have failed. In contradiction with the common goals of the Chart of the UN, during the past three decades, its failures were higher than its success. It has been more productive during the Cold War (1941-1991) than it is after that Cold War. This thesis aims to explain why the UN could not bring peace as it promised on its Charter. In this connection, it also discusses the contradiction between the interest of veto powers and the Charter. Furthermore, the demand for peacekeeping missions is not treated in accordance with the Charter. Based on this, the present research forwards a critique of the organization's peacekeeping mission from a moral perspective. With this, the thesis recommends Immanuel Kant’s arguments on perpetual peace as a solution to the pitfalls of the UN. Key Words: Charter, UN, Morality, Superpower, Perpetual Peace, Peacekeeping, Security.
A History of Mining in Wallagga, Western Ethiopia, 1899-1991
(Addis Ababa University, 2020-07) Debele, Alemseged; Tesema (Prof), Ta’a
A HISTORY OF MINING IN WALLAGGA, WESTERN ETHIOPIA, 1899-1991. In the 19th century the local people of Wallagga were engaged in the extraction of gold as well as iron and brought the items to some local markets in western Ethiopia. In the 20th century the local miners of Wallagga, however, began to see the coming of more organized and consolidated foreign and domestic mining agents which controlled and extracted gold and platinum ores found in Wallagga. The dissertation explores the engagements and the activities of these mining agents including the local miners in gold and platinum mining industry in Wallagga and the benefits they had obtained from these activities in the 20th century. To this end, it has relied on archival sources, British foreign office documents, travelers’ accounts, oral sources, newspapers and secondary materials. I have analyzed the sources using qualitative and quantitative historical methods. I argue that gold and platinum mining industry in Wallagga in the 20th century were shaped maintaining continuity because of the engagements and the activities of both the disorganized and the consolidated mining agents which distributed the benefits of gold and platinum extraction among themselves. It reveals that the undertakings of gold and platinum prospecting, exploration and extraction activities by these mining agents in Wallagga were for their own benefits and that it was the traditional mining industry with its methods and tools of extracting these precious metals which was maintained in Wallagga in the 20th century. It also unravels that the foreign concessionaires and their companies like A.Ilg and the Mines d’Or du Wallaga, A.Prasso and the Societiè Minière des Concessions Prasso en Abyssinie, the Western Abyssinian Mining Syndicate, the Italian intruders and the S.A.P.I.E. and the central government of Ethiopia distributed the benefits of gold and platinum extraction in Wallagga disproportionately among themselves in which the local miners became less beneficiaries. But such distribution had made the central government of Ethiopia to win much of the gold extracted in Wallagga between 1899-1936 and the Mines d’Or du Wallaga, S.A.P.I.E. and S.M.I.T. to obtain thousands of grams of gold extracted there in the period before 1941. In the case of platinum, among the consolidated mining agents when Prasso and the Societiè Minière des Concessions Prasso en Abyssinie emerged as platinum tycoon in Wallagga and Ethiopia in the 1920s, the platinum miners in Yubdo and the Ethiopian government had remained spectators of the platinum capitalists. However, during the study period the local miners had limited access to their earlier goldfields and became the victims of cheap labor. Between 1941-1991, although the government of Ethiopia had controlled the goldfields and their output in Wallagga, because of various factors, it had received reduced amount of gold as compared to the output of gold it received in pre-1936 period. During that time, the Ethiopian government, however, monopolized the Yubdo platinum mine and received all the platinum extracted in Yubdo. However, the efforts which the government of Ethiopia had made to solve some problems of the miners and the mining industry in Wallagga did not basically change the poor living standard which was noticed among the local miners in Wallagga. It also did not alter the slow change which the gold and the platinum mining industry in Wallagga had undergone particularly in the second half of the 20th century.
Examination of Ethiopia’s Ethnic Federalism from Intercultural and Multicultural Perspectives
(Addis ababa University, 2019-02) Yitbarek, Abel; Gutema (Prof), Bekele
Ethiopia adopted ethnic-based federalism since 1991 when the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) took power from the military junta. This party (EPRDF) has been established through the coalition of different parties, but it was highly dominated by one party the Tigrian Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF). EPRDF tried to adopt a federal system by dividing regional units along ethnic lines. Currently, Ethiopia’s ethnic-based federalism can’t solve the questions of different ethnic groups. Conceptually, ethnic federalism by itself does not affect the interethnic relations of groups. It is possible to establish a democratic multiethnic state through the ethnic-based federal system. Recognizing of ethnic identity to form a federal system cannot affect the interethnic relations of different groups; but this requires adequate democratic and multicultural institutions to protect the identities of individuals and groups. Currently, the issue of national or group identity is a universal phenomenon that most states are facing. Thus, all states must manage this issue in a democratic way. The Ethiopian ethnic federalism is simply adopted by the will of EPRDF without the participation of others. It is adopted without constructing democratic institutions to solve issues of inequalities, injustices that different ethnic groups raised. Furthermore, it is established without considering the ‘ethnic-consciousness’ of the citizens. Thus, it is important to build democratic and multicultural institutions to resolve these issues, and to build the feeling of commonality among different ethnic groups. Intercultural and multicultural perspectives are important to build these institutions and to accommodate and integrate the interest of different groups. This thesis examines Ethiopia’s ethnic federalism from the perspectives of interculturalism and multiculturalism. Intercultural and multicultural perspectives use to create a society that accepts and respects the cultures, values, and ideas of other groups. It also uses to balance individual and group rights in multiethnic states. For Ethiopia, it is important to adopt these perspectives in order to solve the current ethnic group conflicts and to accommodate the ethnic federal system. Additionally, it is important to create multicultural citizenship and a multicultural Ethiopian state. Methodologically, this thesis uses information gathered from books, articles, and other materials. Key Words: Federalism, Ethiopia, ethnic federalism, democracy, interculturalism, multiculturalism, multicultural citizenship.
Towards a Visa Free Africa: Challenges and Prospects
(Addis Ababa University, 2019-02) Gebere, Beyene; Mathews (Phd), K
This study attempts to underscore that the groundwork should be paved first before the full implementation of the visa free Africa. While the African Union wants its realization by 2020, much of the work remains to be done with respect to promoting African and regional economic integration. Findings of the study indicate that implementing the visa free Africa plan would be significant, if it goes beyond cooperation to scale up trade volumes and promote economic transformation through integration. The experiences of African countries that have made great strides in easing visa restrictions could be helpful in facilitating its realization. However, political instability, poor infrastructure & ICT services in the continent could constrain the plan from happening soon. Thus, this study recommends that African governments should focus on building and improving infrastructural facilities such as roads and rail networks that link a country with its neighboring countries and beyond, thereby strengthening ties and integrations among sisterly African countries. Moreover, the African governments should also emphasis on intra-continental trade and investments rather than relying on exporting raw materials to foreign countries.
Ethio-Eritrean Relations: From Stalemate to Engagement Challenges and Prospects
(Addis Ababa University, 2019-06) Ayalew, Amanuale; Ashine, Yonas (Dr)
This study aimed to analyze the Ethiopian-Eritrean relation from Stalemate to engagement and its challenge and prospect. In order to achieve this objective, the thesis has tried to link the concepts conflict, cooperation, bilateral relation and theories of integration, analyzed the historical relations between the two countries and the ups and downs that their relations have faced in the due course of its process, outlined challenges and prospect, identified the key issues the relation between Ethiopia and Eritrea and how they could transform from Stalemate to engagement. Depending on qualitative examination of texts and semi-structured interviews the data have been collected both from primary and secondary sources of information. The primary sources of information were collected through a series of semi-structured interviews with key informants. Apart from this, secondary sources of information were also collected from old and recent publications. Again, information from day to day news from different Medias was also used in the final analysis of the study. Finally, the thesis came up with some ideas that indicate challenges and prospect between Ethiopia and Eritrea on going normalization process. The study concludes that: because of the internal political division within Ethiopia, The EEBC decisions, the presence of Mutual miss trust and suspicious in the rapprochement, centralized foreign policy making in Eritrea, lack of enforcement mechanism and rule-based relation with Transparency, the Eritrea Relation with AU and IGAD, the Arab Countries Interest in the Rapprochement and Economic policy and Ideological deference between Ethiopia and Eritrea have been challenging the normalizations process. The Study also concluded that: implementing the EEBC decision would not bring the expected normalization between the two countries rather must ready to accepting the realty in the manner of flexibility to achieve the desired optimistic prospect. Finally, This Study concludes; If the two countries use this rapprochement appropriately, and creating cooperation in an explicit bargaining process, the engagement process can lead to full cooperation based on the spillover effect each in. Keywords: AU, Cooperation, EEBC, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Engagement, Normalization, Rapprochement, IGAD, Prospect.
The Conflict in South Sudan: Challenges to the Igad-Led Peace Process From 2013 To 2019
(Addis Ababa University, 2019-06) Addam, Alexander; Terefe (PhD), Fekade
South Sudan became an independent state in July 9, 2011, following an internationally monitored referendum, which was held on 9 January. However, almost after three years of independence, the world newest state backslide into the horrific civil war on 15, December 2013. The 2013 outbreak of violence in South Sudan underscores the importance of a number of factors as critical to stable peace, including conducting a thorough analysis on the structural and triggering factors, the challenges of the IGAD-Led peace process and the role of external actors in peace and conflict dynamics since the onset of the armed conflict. This paper argues that although ethnicity is a contributing factor to the crisis in South Sudan, the characterization of the conflict as an ethnic crisis is insufficient and simplistic, shortsighted and overlooks many of the underlying complexities of conflict dynamics. In addition to this, this paper argues that the problems and challenges that underlie the recent IGAD-Led South Sudan peace process have not been adequately dealt with, despite existing opportunities to address it. Moreover, the researcher strongly argues that when a country is in a state of flux, conflict offers opportunities for external actors to secure, protect or advance their own interests. Therefore, the overall objective of the study is to provide an overview of the relations between the genesis of the conflict, the mediation process and the impact of external actors on the mediated settlements in South Sudan since 2013. To address these issues, the study employed qualitative research methodology. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary sources of data collected through key informant interview to make use of its advantage in gaining detailed information about the issue, to examine reflections, understandings and knowledge of informants by offering an in-depth understanding of a particular problem and challenges. To substantiate and supplement the primary data, the thesis also used secondary data collected from books, journal articles, proceedings, newspaper, published and unpublished materials, governmental and non-governmental organization reports and remarks, magazines and other internet sources. Given the data gathered are qualitative, the study employed qualitative data analysis techniques. Key Terms: Conflict, Conflict Resolution, IGAD, Mediation, Regional Dynamics, External Actors
Revisiting bacon’s critique on aristotle
(Addis Ababa University, 2019-05) G/Yohannes, Tesfaye; Assefa (Phd), Dagnachew
This thesis is intended mainly to revise Francis Bacon’s critique on Aristotle. Bacon’s view of attempting to blossom inductive mechanism as it helps man to enlarge substantive, sensible and scientific knowledge, I think, is a problematic or an implausible. Bacon develops The New Organon through an inductive method, is falsely a Renaming to the Aristotelian Organon. Due to the syllogistic logic is basically constituted by an inductive method, and in this thesis, I argue alternatively by setting out Bacon’s questionable arguments, that is, claims that are now anti-syllogism. As the Baconian inductive method is a process from the observed and passed by sorts of procedures or criteria about a particular thing/s to its general (universal), this method cannot help to Bacon to repudiate the Aristotelian syllogistic logic, due to he is arguing about the very same or the same species though his method lacks structure. Both Aristotle and Bacon are empiricists. This implies that they deny advocating for terms of things which are not perceived by experience, as both of them try to study and explain about existing things. Therefore, as empiricism depends on existence, so things that do exist should have also explained in their proper manner, that is, according to their practical way, for through pragmatism we can explain or define existing things for which we experience them through induction, that is, through sense perceptions. In this thesis, I employ a Critical Analysis of a qualitative research method which enables me to evaluate the Baconian works- introducing a new tool or instrument which offers man to acquire or extend his empirical and scientific knowledge using this inductive method is not a new one at all though Bacon has called (entitled) it a new; rather, it is lagged behind by a step from the syllogistic logic. Therefore, what Bacon has jotted down is unlike the Aristotelian knowledge of first principles; and this entails that the Aristotelian method of inference has gone over. Besides, if we critically study the arguments that Bacon introduces in his aphorisms to repudiate the syllogism are either bad arguments or not arguments at all. This implies that Bacon’s book is constituted by full of faults. Further, Bacon is backfired; owing to his inductive method is already the Aristotelian, that is, Bacon owed to Aristotle the inductive method itself. I have not seen a new method which is developed by Bacon that helps man to acquire or extend substantive, sensible and scientific knowledge, except his topic; rather, it leads into error, therefore. Key words: Empirical knowledge, Baconian Method, Syllogistic Logic, Pragmatism
A Misplaced Aristotilian Metaphysical Closure
(Addis Ababa University, 2018-09) Weldetsadik, Engida; Bernard (Phd), Chrstopher
The Role of Amhara Credit and Saving Institution (Acsi) in the Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women in Basona Werana Woreda
(2019-06) Terefe, Dagnachew; Teshome (PhD), Woldeab
study set out to assess the role of Amhara credit and saving institution (ACSI) in the socioeconomic empowerment of women. To this end, the study was conducted on married women credit clients of Debre Berhan Zuria Woreda ACSI’s center to examine the role of the credit service in improving the social and economic condition of clients, and to identify clients’ attitude towards the institution and the credit service. Besides, an assessment has been made on the institution’s credit service provision process and the requirements to become eligible for the credit service, and to identify types of credit service and purposes the credit is rendered. Also, an endeavor has been made to identify local institutions involvement in the socioeconomic empowerment of married women. A concurrent triangulation approach was employed to collect and analyze the data needed to address the forgoing objectives. Accordingly, data were collected from 248 married women survey participants and 14 married women in-depth interviewees. In addition, key informant interviews were conducted with four ACSI experts and two Women and Children Affairs Office officer. The study employed a guiding conceptual framework developed based on literature to articulate and direct its empirical investigation. The study reveals ACSI’s significant contribution in the socioeconomic empowerment of married women clients. The social and economic condition of married women clients has improved due to the credit service. Women’s social and economic empowerment indicators have shown an improvement after the credit service. However, the study disclosed, the institution has faced with problems such as lack of adequate transportation service and shortage of personnel to achieve its mission of improving the economic situation of low income, productive poor people. Also, cultural attitude is among the pillar challenges in the socioeconomic empowerment of women. ACSI provides two types of credit services; individual and group. However, the study shows, the former is not practiced among rural married women clients. The study further reveals married women credit clients have a favorable attitude towards the institution and the credit service. As the study finding has shown, local institutions have also a role in the socioeconomic empowerment of married women with exception of religious institutions. Key Words: ACSI, Married Women, Concurrent Triangulation Approach, Economic Empowerment, Social Empowerment

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