The Egyptian Philosophers: Ancient African Voices From Imhotep to Akhenaten

This book challenges the traditional Eurocentric view that places Greece as the origin of civilization. It argues that there existed a body of knowledge that predated Greek philosophy. The author provides evidence, such as the construction of the great pyramids in 2800 B.C., which occurred 2,100 years before Greek civilization. The book also dispels the myth that Hippocrates was the father of medicine, revealing that he actually studied the works of Imhotep, who is credited as the true father of medicine and is mentioned in the Hippocratic oath. The author profiles eleven African scholars who preceded Greek philosophers, including Ptahhotep, Kagemni, Duauf, Amenhotep, Amenemope, Imhotep, Amenemhat, Merikare, Sehotepibre, Khunanup, and Akhenaten. Their ideas on various topics are discussed, such as the development of science and reason, the moral order, books and education, and social classes.

By Molefi Kete Asante