An Introduction to Mesoamerican Philosophy
An Introduction to Mesoamerican Philosophy
The philosophy of Mesoamerica – the indigenous groups of precolonial North-Central America – is rich and varied but relatively little-known. In this ground-breaking book, Alexus McLeod introduces the philosophical traditions of the Maya, Nahua (Aztecs), Mixtecs, Zapotecs, and others, focussing in particular on their treatment of language, truth, time, creation, personhood, knowledge, and morality. His wide-ranging discussion includes important texts of world literature such as the K'iche Maya Popol Vuh and the Aztec Florentine Codex, as well as precolonial glyphic texts and imagery. This comprehensive and accessible book will give students, specialists and other interested readers an understanding of Mesoamerican philosophy and a sense of the current scholarship in the field.
- A comprehensive survey of a rich philosophical tradition
- Addresses the lack of an accessible introduction to Mesoamerican Philosophy to introduce philosophers to this new and growing area in the field
- Discusses crucial primary and secondary literature in the area, including important texts of world literature
Reviews & endorsements
‘This book arrives at a timely moment, as non-canonical philosophical traditions are getting increased attention. This is an engaging and wide-ranging introduction to one of the least well known of these traditions, Mesoamerican philosophy. McLeod shows that this culture produced challenging and unique perspectives on many central questions in philosophy, including the nature of language, knowledge, and reality itself.' Peter Adamson, University of Munich
Product details
August 2023Adobe eBook Reader
9781009218764
0 pages
This ISBN is for an eBook version which is distributed on our behalf by a third party.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Cultural and Historical Background
- 1. The Nature of Philosophy in Mesoamerica
- 2. The Nature of Language, Truth and Meaning
- 3. Time
- 4. Identity, Self and Personhood
- 5. Creation and the Gods
- 6. Being and Worlds
- 7. Knowledge, Seeing
- 8. Ethics
- Conclusion – Mesoamerican Philosophy and the Contemporary World.
