Religion and Social construction of reality

Abstract

An inaugural lecture is the culmination of many years of study, research, exposure and experience. It is impossible for me to adequately express my gratitude and indebtedness to all those scholars, teachers, mentors, friends, students, colleagues and family members who have contributed to the insights distilled in these pages. I wish to record my appreciation of all those with whom I have enjoyed throughout my .academic career, because they helped me to see more clearly the necessity to clarify our presuppositions and clearly articulate our perceptions. The University of Nairobi has been my academic and professional point of reference for a quarter of a century, and for this 'home' I am immensely grateful. The opportunity and privilege to deliver an inaugural lecture in the same institution where one studied, is an experience difficult to describe. It has been a joyous pilgrimage to . study and teach at this University. My exposure to the religions and cultures of other parts of the world has helped me to appreciate the fact that our location of the 'centre of the world' depends largely on our own points of reference, and for this reason we ought to listen attentively to what others have to say to enrich our own social construction of reality. I continue to search for deeper understanding of the reality in which we are entangled and of which we are an integral part. This lecture is part of that quest, and I thank everyone who directly or indirectly, has helped me to discern the insights herein expressed.