3.1 - A filosofia nasceu na África 1 - Introdução às filosofias africanas do direito

Summary

This video challenges the common narrative of Greek philosophy by asserting that the roots of philosophy originated in Africa, specifically in the ancient civilization of Kemet (modern Egypt). The video highlights how prominent Greek philosophers, such as Thales and Pythagoras, studied in Kemet and learned from its advanced knowledge in mathematics, medicine, and philosophy. The speaker also emphasizes the significant contributions of African civilizations like Ethiopia and Cush, which rivaled Egypt in power and innovation. The video aims to highlight the African origins of philosophical and scientific ideas traditionally attributed to Greece.

Takeaways

• 😀 The origin of philosophy is often attributed to Greece, but it actually originated in Kemet (Ancient Egypt), a civilization of Black people in Africa.
• 😀 Kemet (Ancient Egypt) is the place where philosophy was born, according to Greek philosophers themselves, such as Thales and Pythagoras, who studied there.
• 😀 Thales of Miletus, considered one of the first Greek philosophers, spent years studying in Egypt, where he learned crucial ideas that influenced his work.
• 😀 Pythagoras, known for his theorem in mathematics, also studied in Egypt for about 20 years, learning advanced mathematics that contributed to his later theories.
• 😀 The Egyptians had an advanced understanding of mathematics, including calculating the Earth's circumference and the distance to the Moon, long before Greek philosophers.
• 😀 Other Greek philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, Archimedes, and Solon, also traveled to Africa to study, further solidifying the African roots of philosophy.
• 😀 Greek philosophers openly acknowledged that philosophy and advanced knowledge came from Africa, specifically from Kemet (Egypt).
• 😀 Isocrates, a Greek philosopher, claimed that Africans invented both medicine for the body and philosophy for the soul (mind and spirit).
• 😀 The concept of 'soul' in ancient Greece, as referenced by Isocrates, should be understood as 'psyche', meaning the mind, spirit, or ego, rather than the religious or ghostly concept of soul.
• 😀 Kemet (Ancient Egypt) wasn't the only African superpower; Ethiopia (Cush) was also a powerful civilization, having even conquered Egypt at certain points and contributing greatly to African knowledge and science.

Q & A

What is Kemet, and where is it located?

Kemet is an ancient African civilization, known today as Egypt. The name Kemet means 'Black Land,' referring to the fertile land along the Nile River. It was home to a population of Black people and is recognized as the birthplace of philosophy, according to Greek philosophers.

Who is considered the first Greek philosopher, and where did he study?

Thales of Miletus is considered the first Greek philosopher. He spent a significant amount of time studying in Egypt, or Kemet, where he learned many of the philosophical and scientific ideas that influenced his work.

What role did Pythagoras play in the history of philosophy and mathematics?

Pythagoras is known for the Pythagorean theorem in mathematics. He studied in Egypt for approximately 20 years, during which he learned advanced mathematical concepts from the Egyptian civilization, contributing to his later work in mathematics.

How does the script highlight the influence of African knowledge on Greek philosophy?

The script emphasizes that many Greek philosophers, such as Thales, Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle, and others, studied in Egypt (Kemet) and were influenced by the African knowledge in philosophy, mathematics, and science. The Greeks themselves acknowledged this influence.

What did Isocrates say about the origins of philosophy and medicine?

Isocrates, a contemporary of Plato, recognized that the Egyptians (Africans) invented both medicine for the body and philosophy for the mind. This highlights the foundational role of African civilizations in the development of both disciplines.

How did the concept of 'soul' differ in ancient Greek thought, as explained by the speaker?

In ancient Greek thought, the term 'soul' (psyche) referred not only to the spirit or breath but also to the mind, ego, and identity of a person. In the context of the script, the soul refers to the mind and the intellectual aspects of human being, which were nurtured by African civilizations.

What other Greek philosophers are mentioned in the script as having studied in Africa?

In addition to Thales and Pythagoras, the script mentions Plato, Aristotle, Xenophanes, Archimedes, and Solon as Greek philosophers who traveled to Africa, particularly Egypt, to study and learn from its advanced knowledge.

What is the significance of the Ethiopian Empire in the context of African history?

The Ethiopian Empire, also known as Cush, was a powerful African civilization that rivaled Egypt at various points in history. The empire not only dominated Egypt at times but also built numerous pyramids and developed advanced scientific and technological knowledge. Unfortunately, much of its legacy remains unknown today.

What was the role of the Cushite Empire in Africa’s ancient civilizations?

The Cushite Empire, located to the south of Egypt, was a matriarchal civilization that rose to power and even dominated Egypt for a period. It built pyramids and had a rich, powerful culture, but much of its history and contributions are lost due to the lack of surviving records and monuments.

Why is it important to continue researching African civilizations like Kemet and Cush?

It is crucial to continue researching African civilizations like Kemet and Cush to uncover their full contributions to human history, particularly in philosophy, mathematics, and science. These civilizations played a foundational role in shaping modern knowledge, but much of their legacy has been lost over time.