History of Philosophy: India, Africana, China

HAP 11 - Teodros Kiros on Ethiopian Philosophy

Teodros Kiros discusses the history of Ethiopian thought and how it has influenced his own work in political philosophy.

HAP 10 - Think for Yourself - Walda Heywat

Walda Heywat’s reaction to the thought of his teacher Zera Yacob, and the dispute over the authenticity of these two Ethiopian philosophers.

HAP 09 - In You I Take Shelter - Zera Yacob

The 17th century Ethiopian rationalist Zera Yacob, hailed as the first modern Africana philosopher.

HAP 08 - Solomon, Socrates, and Other Sages - Early Ethiopian Philosophy

Philosophy in Ethiopia, with translations of religious and philosophical texts into Ge’ez and a national epic called the Kebra Nagast.

HAP 07 - Richard Parkinson on Egyptian Poetry

Egyptioogist Richard Parkinson joins us to talk about the context and meaning of the Eloquent Peasant and other literary works of ancient Egypt.

HAP 06 - Heated Exchanges - Philosophy in Egyptian Narratives and Dialogues

Demands for ma’at (justice or truth) and a confrontation with the soul, in the Tale of the Eloquent Peasant and Dispute Between a Man and his Ba.

HAP 05 - Father Knows Best - Moral and Political Philosophy in the Instructions

Ethical reflection in ancient Egyptian grave inscriptions and in works of instruction, such as the Maxims of Ptahhotep and the Instructions named for Amenemope, Ani, and Merikare.

HAP 04 - Pyramid Schemes - Philosophy in Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egyptian figures and writings including the Pyramid Texts, Imhotep, and the "first monotheist" Akhenaten reflect on the nature of things and questions of morality.

HAP 03 - Fertile Ground - Philosophy in Ancient Mesopotamia

Do the cuneiform writings of Babylonian culture show that it had its own philosophy?

HAP 02 - It’s Only Human - Philosophy in Prehistoric Africa

Might philosophy be as old as humankind as we know it? We investigate the implications of findings concerning the origins of humankind in Africa.