Aztec Metaphysics (Pre Read)

The indigenous peoples of what is now Mexico enjoy long and rich traditions of philosophical reflection dating back centuries before being characterized by their European “discoverers” as “barbarians” or “primitives” incapable of or unmotivated to think rationally, abstractly, or philosophically. Pre-Columbian societies contained individuals who reflected systematically upon the nature of reality, human existence, knowledge, right conduct, and goodness. The Nahuatl-speaking peoples of Central Mexico – including those residing in Mexico-Tenochtitlan known today as the “Aztecs” – were no exception.

Read the Introduction, Chapter 1.1 and the Conclusion of this book. Alternatively, you can watch this two part lecture by Maffie: part 1, part 2. (Quite frankly, the book is fairly repetitive, so the video might be the place to start. As long as you understand the gist of it, it will be enough to participate).
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This group examines the history of Metaphysics by looking primarily at European thinkers in chronological order. Great effort is made to include lesser known thinkers whose thought has historical significance. We will occasionally examine non-European metaphysics too to provide context and comparison.

The organizer is not an expert on Metaphysics but has a long experience in organizing similar meetings. He also has an Oxford PhD in European History as well as a Cambridge MPhil on the same discipline. He currently teaches foreign languages.
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Other meetings in the Metaphysics series:

November 8, Feminism and Metaphysics
November 15, Zhuangzi
November 22, Emerson
November 29, Pyrrho and Buddhism
December 6; African Cosmology
December 13, The Greeks and The Irrational
December 20, Plotinus
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