Ancient Egyptian philosophy: Difference between revisions
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== Philosophers == |
== Philosophers == |
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The most notable ancient Egyptian philosophers are Imhotep, Ptahhotep, and Amenhotep.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=The Egyptian Philosophers: Ancient African Voices From Imhotep to Akhenaten|last=Asante|first=Molefi Kete|publisher=African American Images|year=2000|isbn=0-913543-66-7|location=Chicago, Illinois|pages=}}</ref> These philosophers wrote about and discussed such topics as reason, contemplation, and moral order. Their works also concentrated on things like common sense and daily behavior. |
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=== Imhotep === |
=== Imhotep === |
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Born in the 27th Century BC in Memphis, Egypt,[http://www.britannica.com/biography/Imhotep] [[Imhotep]] is well known for his work as an architect, astrologist, physician, and vizier. Son of the architect Kanofer and his wife, Khreduonkh, he is |
Born in the 27th Century BC in Memphis, Egypt,[http://www.britannica.com/biography/Imhotep] [[Imhotep]] is well known for his work as an architect, astrologist, physician, and vizier. Son of the architect Kanofer and his wife, Khreduonkh, he is credited with the design and construction of the step pyramid built at the necropolis of Ṣaqqārah in the city of Memphis.<ref name=":0" /> He also served as vizier to the pharaoh, Djoser, in the Third Dynasty (c. 2980-2900 BC). His work was so influential that even after his death, he was worshiped and eventually made a deity by the Egyptian people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/biography/Imhotep|title=Imhotep|last=|first=|date=Feb 17, 2016|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|publisher=|access-date=Feb 29, 2016}}</ref> |
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=== Ptahhotep === |
=== Ptahhotep === |
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Ptahhotep, like his predecessor Imhotep, served as vizier to the pharaoh in the late 25th, early 24th century BC. Ptahhotep is known for his comprehensive work on ethical behavior and moral philosophy, called ''[[The Maxims of Ptahhotep]].'' The work, which is believed to have been compiled by his grandson Ptahhotep Tshefi, is a series of 37 letters or maxims addressed to his son, Akhethotep, speaking on such topics as daily behavior and ethical practices.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization|last=Browder|first=Anthony|publisher=Karmaic Institute|year=1988|isbn=|location=|pages=}}</ref> These works survived from the Old Kingdom period in the form of three papyri and a fragmented section on a wooden tablet. Though these maxims were originally addressed to his son, they also addressed what the correct behavior of all young Egyptian men should be. |
Ptahhotep, like his predecessor Imhotep, served as vizier to the pharaoh in the late 25th, early 24th century BC. Ptahhotep is known for his comprehensive work on ethical behavior and moral philosophy, called ''[[The Maxims of Ptahhotep]].'' The work, which is believed to have been compiled by his grandson Ptahhotep Tshefi, is a series of 37 letters or maxims addressed to his son, Akhethotep, speaking on such topics as daily behavior and ethical practices.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization|last=Browder|first=Anthony|publisher=Karmaic Institute|year=1988|isbn=|location=|pages=}}</ref> These works survived from the Old Kingdom period in the form of three papyri and a fragmented section on a wooden tablet. Though these maxims were originally addressed to his son, they also addressed what the correct behavior of all young Egyptian men should be. |
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=== Amenhotep === |
=== Amenhotep === |
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Yet another vizier to a pharaoh, Amenhotep was also an architect and ancient philosopher. Son of Hapu,<ref name=":0" /> he was revered for his knowledge of the ancient ways of the Egyptians. In the court of King Amenhotep III, he was considered |
Yet another vizier to a pharaoh, Amenhotep was also an architect and ancient philosopher. Son of Hapu,<ref name=":0" /> he was revered for his knowledge of the ancient ways of the Egyptians. In the court of King Amenhotep III, he was considered an insightful philosopher, a wise man, and sage.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Egyptians|last=Aldred|first=Cyril|publisher=Thames and Hudson|year=1984|isbn=|location=London|pages=}}</ref> Because King Amenhotep III himself had such high regard for Amenhotep, he ordered a statue be commissioned in his honor. Amenhotep's famous sculpture originally sat at the Temple of Amen at [[Karnak]], and depicted Amenhotep kneeling with papyrus in his hands. This piece of ancient art now rests in the Luxor Museum. {{citation needed|date=March 2016}} |
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=== See Also === |
=== See Also === |
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Revision as of 00:10, 29 May 2016
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Ancient Egyptian philosophy is characterized by being flexible, pragmatic, and giving attention to emotion.[1]
Characteristics
Ancient Egyptian philosophy was concerned with proper conduct and justice.The ancient Egyptians were concerned about the afterlife because they believed the soul or personality, the "Ba," to be eternal. To avoid being counted among the damned of the afterlife, one had to live by a high moral code and standard of righteousness. Some writings pessimistically considered the consequences if there is no legitimate king, and others offered advice to princes that were to become kings.
Flexibility
According to the Egyptologist Erik Hornung, ancient Egyptian answers to philosophical questions were flexible. Rather than offering definite answers, Egyptian philosophy was pluralistic, and several explanations for the origin of the world were considered equally true.
Pragmatism
Ancient Egyptian philosophy was pragmatic, and considered real-life situations without abstracting to general laws. Maat, the Egyptian notion of justice, stressed solutions to these problems. Older men would pass on knowledge to their children about the situations that they would encounter in life.
Emotion
While Egyptian philosophy recognized the power of emotion, it advised against giving in to transitory feelings. The ideal was the silent man, who ignored emotions and thought before acting. The opposite was the heated man, who was impulsive, and immediately submitted to his emotions.[1]
Philosophers
The most notable ancient Egyptian philosophers are Imhotep, Ptahhotep, and Amenhotep.[2] These philosophers wrote about and discussed such topics as reason, contemplation, and moral order. Their works also concentrated on things like common sense and daily behavior.
Imhotep
Born in the 27th Century BC in Memphis, Egypt,[1] Imhotep is well known for his work as an architect, astrologist, physician, and vizier. Son of the architect Kanofer and his wife, Khreduonkh, he is credited with the design and construction of the step pyramid built at the necropolis of Ṣaqqārah in the city of Memphis.[2] He also served as vizier to the pharaoh, Djoser, in the Third Dynasty (c. 2980-2900 BC). His work was so influential that even after his death, he was worshiped and eventually made a deity by the Egyptian people.[3]
Ptahhotep
Ptahhotep, like his predecessor Imhotep, served as vizier to the pharaoh in the late 25th, early 24th century BC. Ptahhotep is known for his comprehensive work on ethical behavior and moral philosophy, called The Maxims of Ptahhotep. The work, which is believed to have been compiled by his grandson Ptahhotep Tshefi, is a series of 37 letters or maxims addressed to his son, Akhethotep, speaking on such topics as daily behavior and ethical practices.[4] These works survived from the Old Kingdom period in the form of three papyri and a fragmented section on a wooden tablet. Though these maxims were originally addressed to his son, they also addressed what the correct behavior of all young Egyptian men should be.
Amenhotep
Yet another vizier to a pharaoh, Amenhotep was also an architect and ancient philosopher. Son of Hapu,[2] he was revered for his knowledge of the ancient ways of the Egyptians. In the court of King Amenhotep III, he was considered an insightful philosopher, a wise man, and sage.[5] Because King Amenhotep III himself had such high regard for Amenhotep, he ordered a statue be commissioned in his honor. Amenhotep's famous sculpture originally sat at the Temple of Amen at Karnak, and depicted Amenhotep kneeling with papyrus in his hands. This piece of ancient art now rests in the Luxor Museum. [citation needed]
See Also
Notes and references
- ^ a b Bleiberg, Edward (2005). "Ancient Egypt 2675-332 B.C.E.: Philosophy". In Bleiberg, Edward; et al. (eds.). Arts and Humanities Through the Eras. Vol. Vol. 1: Ancient Egypt 2675-332 B.C.E. Detroit: Gale. pp. 182–197.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help);|volume=has extra text (help) - ^ a b c Asante, Molefi Kete (2000). The Egyptian Philosophers: Ancient African Voices From Imhotep to Akhenaten. Chicago, Illinois: African American Images. ISBN 0-913543-66-7.
- ^ "Imhotep". Encyclopedia Britannica. Feb 17, 2016. Retrieved Feb 29, 2016.
- ^ Browder, Anthony (1988). Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization. Karmaic Institute.
- ^ Aldred, Cyril (1984). The Egyptians. London: Thames and Hudson.
