Friedrich Nietzsche represents a radical departure from alroost all of the philosophical tradition which preceded him. His stylistic differences from the tradition in philosophy find their basis in his perspectivism1 a strong form of relativism. Perspectivism is the theory that there are an indefinite number of different perspectives on the world, none of which can legitimately claim to be the true definition of it. Nietzsche bases a number of interesting arguments about language, truth and logic on perspectivism. His perspectivism is problematic because it cannot be asserted as true without also encountering a paradox: if perspectivism is a definitive perspective on the world, then perspectivism is false. Nietzsche found a method of dealing with this paradox through his writing style itself, viz. through his style he exenplifies perspectivism without seriously asserting it. That means that his style constantly refers to and serves as an exanple of perspectivism, and yet he never plainly asserts that perspectivism is a true description of the world. Nietzsche's style is intended to distinguish him from the rest of the philosophical tradition because he thought that was the only way to have his ideas accepted: on his own terms standing in opposition to the rest of the tradition, especially Socrates. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

This study was influenced by two sociological theories namely: Durkheim’s Structural Functionalism and Relativism. In terms of Durkheim’s Structural Functionalism, I claim that the aspects of social structures, cultural norms and values, which are among its main components, are also among the main components of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS). In line with Relativism, this study argues against Durkheim’s claim that social structures, and cultural norms and values determine human choices and behaviour. It is claimed that in line with my understanding of IKS in this study social structures, cultural norms and values are relative aspects, because they change and differ from context to context even if their carriers are the same, and human choice in different times and places play a vital role in determining decisions. These theories have been applied practically by examining the relationship between Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and good governance. The study asserts that IKS has the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of policies at the local municipality level. Thus, the study has sought to understand the extent to which IKS is incorporated in the policy development and implementation at the local municipality level. This investigation has been undertaken in the thematic context of HIV/AIDS. I investigated the extent to which IKS is incorporated into policy development and implementation related to HIV/AIDS at the local municipality level. The study has argued that the extent to which IKS is appropriated into policy development and implementation relies on the power dynamics between the provincial and national spheres of government on the one hand, and the local municipality leaders and officials on the other. The study has found that local municipality leaders and officials have a strong affinity to the IKS due to their proximity to the local citizens. But, political leaders at the national and provincial spheres of the South African government exert influence on the local municipality leaders and officials to exercise their power with limited response to the IKS needs of the local communities. / Sociology / D. Phil. (Sociology)