Ancient Egyptian philosophy

Ancient Egyptian Philosophy has been credited by the ancient Greeks as being the beginning of philosophy. It 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.^[2] Many texts were prescriptive, telling their readers how to behave. Although Egyptian philosophy did not discuss epistemology, it did discuss how to teach justice. The political system was not written about, but some writings pessimistically considered the consequences when there is no legitimate king, and others offered advice to princes that were to become kings. Methods of persuasion, such as Greek rhetoric, were not discussed.

Overall, Egyptian philosophies were flexible, pragmatic, and attentive to emotion.

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

Much of the educated world is fairly familiar with popular Greek philosophers. The same cannot be said of their Egyptian predecessors, although much work is being put into researching their teachings. Of those who are known, the most notable ancient Egyptian philosophers are Imhotep, Ptahhotep, and Amenhotep.^[3] 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, 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 accredited with the design and construction of the step pyramid built at the necropolis of Ṣaqqārah in the city of Memphis.^[3] He also served as vizier to the pharaoh, Djoser, in the Third Dynasty (c. 2980-2900 BC). Imhotep's work in philosophy and medicine played great parts in influencing later Greek physicians and philosophers. His work was so influential that even after his death, he was worshiped and eventually made deity by the Egyptian people.^[4] His work in medicine was so profound, as well as his philosophies on the workings the working of the human body, that he was later refereed to by many as the "father of medicine."

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.^[5] 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. These works would later influence similar works by the Greeks on the same subjects.

Amenhotep

Yet another vizier to a pharaoh, Amenhotep was also an architect and ancient philosopher. Son of Hapu,^[3] he was revered for his knowledge of the ancient ways of the Egyptians. In the court of King Amenhotep III, he was considered a insightful philosopher, a wise man, and sage.^[6] Because of his craving for knowledge and his vast strides to collect knowledge on all subjects, Amenhotep is usually associated with a book or papyrus rolls in much Egyptian artwork. 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.

See Also

• Wisdom literature#Ancient Egyptian literature

Notes and references

1. Bleiberg, Edward (2005). "Ancient Egypt 2675-332 B.C.E.: Philosophy". In Bleiberg, Edward; et al. Arts and Humanities Through the Eras. Vol. 1: Ancient Egypt 2675-332 B.C.E. Detroit: Gale. pp. 182–197.
2. Linsley, Alice (2013-04-16). "Philosophers' Corner: Plato's Debt to Ancient Egypt". Philosophers' Corner. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
3. Asante, Molefi Kete (2000). The Egyptian Philosophers: Ancient African Voices From Imhotep to Akhenaten. Chicago, Illinois: African American Images. ISBN 0-913543-66-7.
4. "Imhotep". Encyclopedia Britannica. Feb 17, 2016. Retrieved Feb 29, 2016.
5. Browder, Anthony (1988). Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization. Karmaic Institute.
6. Aldred, Cyril (1984). The Egyptians. London: Thames and Hudson.