Ancient Egyptian philosophy
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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 currently known ancient Egyptian philosophers were Imhotep, Ptahhotep, and Amenhotep.[2]
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).
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.[3]
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.[4]
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.
- ^ Browder, Anthony (1988). Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization. Karmaic Institute.
- ^ Aldred, Cyril (1984). The Egyptians. London: Thames and Hudson.
