The Pitfalls of Techno-Scientific Ideology and the Igbo Notion of Akonucheism

Since the last century, the techno-scientific enterprise has championed innovations that propel much progress in man’s domination and mastery of his environment. But this has not been without a concomitant increase in a worldview, which products heighten the probability of human extinction such as in wars etcetera. However, it is common knowledge that the fallibility of science, its lack of consideration of metaphysical realities, the controversy surrounding its methods and more importantly, the moral lacunae which characterize this epistemic enterprise, all refute the narrative that surround the ideology of techno-science. Yet, the rhetoric and ideologization projecting its “almighty” status as a repository of all knowledge and answers to man’s indeterminate situations and problems rage on and these smacks of a naïve and solipsistic epistemology. It is against this backdrop that this paper examines the pitfalls of the techno-scientific ideology against the Igbo notion of akonucheism. Our proposed notion recognizes the values in our culture/tradition and through its fusion with the merits of the techno-scientific endeavor, it produces relevant knowledge that is domesticated for problem solving purposes.