Benjamin Arah

Benjamin Arah is currently an assistant professor of government (political science) and philosophy in the Department of History & Government.

Education

He has three MA degrees (in social science, public administration; in political science, concentrations in political theory/philosophy and political methodology; and in philosophy, general), with a PhD in political science (political theory/philosophy, political economy and international relations/politics). He studied at both William Paterson College (now University) in New Jersey and Howard University. Prior to this academic experience, Dr. Arah initially studied and trained to be a Catholic priest in Nigeria at the Sacred Heart Seminary, Nsude, and also taught at St. John Cross Seminary, Nsukka (1980).

He believes in the Socratic dictum that "the unexamined life is not worth living" but points out that Dr. Cornel West would add that "the examined life is the most difficult thing to do." The choice that people have is whether "to be a Socrates dissatisfied or a pig satisfied." The problem is that pigs are always wanting, ever getting, and never satisfied!