Neut Yinkaw (May wisdom have its spell cast on it): The Ethiopian version of Skepticism

Mindaralew Zewdie
Department of Philosophy, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

Abstract

This research is intended to introduce to the global readership the saliencies that outline and define the Ethiopian version of skepticism. This pioneering onus comes with the task of critically reviewing the place skepticism holds and the notch it represents in the history of philosophy. Thus the objective of this research is one of bringing to the day light the Ethiopian variety of skepticism within the overall context of philosophical repertoire. To pull this goal off, this research is designed right from get go to make use of the rational and critical methods of philosophical probing supported by key informant interview and focus group discussion. Following a rigorous application of logical methods of philosophical undertakings on the issue under scouring, this research comes out with the conclusion that holds: The Ethiopian version of skepticism, touted neut-yinkaw (may wisdom cast its spell on it) is a healthy and natural move to suspend judgment so that and until we will be spared from scuttling our way right into hasty generalization. Neut-yinkaw is a social skepticism that stands firm its ground in being an out and out anathema to prejudice, bias, partiality, gullibility, half-baked judgments and injustice.

Keywords: Neut Yinkaw, social skepticism, shmagllae, half-baked-judgments, absolute skepticism

Author Biographies

Mindaralew Zewdie, Department of Philosophy, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia