Universität Wien

180095 VO-L Philosophy in ancient Egypt and ancient Ethiopia (2015S)

A reading of ancient Egyptian texts in comparison with texts from ancient Greece and a reading of Zär'a Yaqob in comparison with Descartes

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 18 - Philosophie
Moodle

Details

Language: German

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Thursday 05.03. 15:00 - 18:00 Hörsaal 2i NIG 2.Stock C0228
  • Thursday 26.03. 15:00 - 18:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 23.04. 15:00 - 18:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 07.05. 15:00 - 18:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 28.05. 15:00 - 18:00 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 11.06. 15:00 - 18:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Thursday 25.06. 15:00 - 18:00 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The origin of philosophy is still controversial. While many scholars still cling to a grand narrative of the history of philosophy which finds its origin in ancient Greece, there is today a growing number of alternative narratives drawing from different origins of philosophical thought in various regions of the world. One of these regions is ancient Egypt. The lecture introduces some core texts of ancient Egyptian literature like the Papyrus Prisse (13th Dynasty, 2137-1781 BCE), containing the Maxims of Wisdom of Pthahotep and the Instructions of Kagemni; the Instructions of Meri-ka-Re (18th dynasty) and the Dispute between a Man and his Ba (1900 v. Chr.). Background information about the culture and life in ancient Egypt as well as a comparison with texts from Greek philosophy will enrich and complement the discussion.
Undisputed is the philosophical character of the Hätäta (Treatise on reason) of the Ethiopian philosophers Zär'a Yaqob (1600-1692). The text will be studied, analysed and compared with the Discourse on Method of his contemporary René Descartes.

Assessment and permitted materials

written or oral exam

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Through the reading of some key texts from ancient Egypt and ancient Ethiopia the lecture deals with questions of the beginning of philosophy in Africa: with topics and basic concepts as well as their importance for today's philosophy. In comparing these texts with texts from ancient Greek philosophy (or in the case Zär'a Yaqob with those of his contemporary René Descartes) similarities and differences will be identified. The aim of the course is an intensive study of texts from the early history of philosophy in Africa and the analysis of their importance for the world history of philosophy. In addition, it is the aim to develop an awareness of "the problem of the beginning" in grand narratives of the history of philosophy as well as with regard to the relationship between philosophy and wisdom literature.

Examination topics

Each lecture includes an introductory presentation of the course leader and a subsequent discussion in which the relevant texts are analyzed and discussed by all participants. The reading of texts is thus a prerequisite for this VO-L. Goal is an intensive study of selected texts and their basic categories. Furthermore, it is the target of this course to provide tools for the evaluation of arguments and for the formulation of an own perspective on the history of philosophy.

Reading list

- James Allen: The debate between a man and his soul: a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian literature. Leiden: Brill 2011.
- Jan Assmann: Ma'at: Gerechtigkeit und Unsterblichkeit im Alten Ägypten. München 2006.
- Hellmut Brunner: Die Weisheitsbücher der Ägypter. Zürich: Artemis 1991.
- René Descartes: Discours de la méthode. Franz.-dt., übers. u. hrsg. v. Lüder Gäbe. Meiner, Hamburg 1997.
- Epikur: Briefe, Sprüche, Werkfragmente. Reclam Stuttgart 2000.
- Viktoria Frysak / Bekele Gutema: Zär'a Yacob. Eine äthiopische Weltanschauung. Wien 2008.
- Katherina Lohmann: Das Gespräch eines Mannes mit seinem Ba. Studien zur Altägyptischen Kultur, 1998, Vol.25, pp.207-236.
- Théophile Obenga: La Philosophie africaine de la période pharaonique 2780-330 avant notre ère, Paris, Harmattan, 1990. (Engl. Transl. 2004)
- Platon: Phaidon, (eine der üblichen Ausgaben z.B. übersetzt von Friedrich Schleiermacher, Stuttgart 1986 oder Übersetzung und Kommentar von Theodor Ebert, Göttingen 2004)
- Vorsokratiker I und II, Reclam Stuttgart 1988.

Association in the course directory

BA M 8.1, EC 1.2, EC 3.3

Last modified: Sa 10.09.2022 00:19