PHILOSOPHY HOSTS SOUTH AFRICAN ETHICS SCHOLAR

The Department of Philosophy is one of those that has exemplified the spirit of inviting scholars from outside campus to engage in philosophy discussions with its students. From 10th to 13th September 2018, the Philosophy Department through its Master of Arts Applied Ethics Programme hosted Prof. Johan Hattingh, a renowned professor of Ethics from Stellenbosch University in the Republic South Africa. 

Speaking at the welcome function, Prof. Johan Hattingh applauded the Department for introducing the Master of Arts in Applied Ethics programme and thanked the Head of Department, Dr Yamikani Ndasauka, for extending the invitation to him.

Dr Sydney Kankuzi, speaking on behalf of the Dean of Humanities, thanked Prof. Hattingh for visiting Chancellor College and for accepting to share his vast research experience with students pursuing the Master of Arts in Applied Ethics programme. “Your visit to Chancellor College cannot be taken for granted because we are sure to benefit from your knowledge and research experience particularly in the area of Applied Ethics,” he said.

For four days, Professor Hattingh spent time drilling students in case study research methods in Applied Ethics.  Areas of focus were Sen’s capability theory, Flyvbjerg’s theory of progressive phronesis, communitarian frameworks and a move from theory to practice in Applied Ethics.   

After the workshop the students remarked the sessions were ‘an eye opener’, ‘enlightening’, ‘excellent’, ‘moulding and thorough’, ‘inspiring and educating’ and ‘wonderful and helpful’. 

Johan Hattingh specializes in Applied Ethics, Ideology Critique, Development Ethics, Environmental Ethics and Climate Change Ethics. He has acted as supervisor or co-supervisor of 15 completed Doctoral dissertations and 43 completed Master’s theses.