The theoretical underpinnings of this paper are grounded on (i) perceived belief of the relationship between philosophy and literature, when literature is understood as embracing artistic genres, such as film and philosophy as a reflective discipline; and (ii) as a reflection of Paget Henry’s view that philosophy as an academic discipline is embedded in , and can be extracted from, non-philosophical discourses (iii) argument in Western political philosophy that the origin of government rests on a social contract between leaders and their subjects. The data for philosophical reflection centre on the Yoruba film, Saworoide, produced by Tunde Kelani and written by Akinwunmi Isola, in which the relationship between leaders and the people is depicted as a bound/contract between leaders and their subjects. It is observed that this contract is not only political, but it is also spiritual in the sense that contractual relation between leaders and their citizens takes the form of a bond /vow in which the violation of the terms of the contract/bond/vow can lead to unpleasant consequences, including death, on the part of the leader. It is argued in the paper that this model of social contract is stronger and more credible than a hypothetical contract, enunciated by some Western contractarian philosophers, in the sense that it relies on an actual historical contract which bypasses the scepticism against the explanation and justification of the Western model of social contract, which sees such contract as a hypothetical one. The Yoruba model of social contract that is illustrated by the film, Saworoide, is an actual contract that takes place in actual historical situation and therefore it is more relatable. The paper suggests that the Yoruba model of social contract as expressed in Saworoide, can be adopted as the explanation and justification of the origin of government and the political process, for the purpose of guaranteeing and ensuring accountability, responsibility and transparency in governance.
Literature and Philosophy, Social contract, Saworoide, Yoruba model of social contract.
