Page 24 - STOLEN LEGACY By George G. M. James

(c) The condition of constant warfare between the city states was unfavorable for the production
of philosophers.

Before passing on to consider my next proposition I would like to say that it is an accepted truth
that the development of philosophical thought requires an environment which is free from
disturbance and worries. The period commonly assigned to Greek philosophy (i.e. Thales to
Aristotle) was exactly the opposite to one of peace and tranquility, and therefore it could not be
expected to produce philosophy. The obstacles against the origin and development of Greek
philosophy, were not only the frequency of civil wars; and the constant defense against Persian
aggression; but also the threat of extermination from the Athenian government, its worst enemy.

(d) Philosophy Requires a Suitable Environment

I must now add the following quotation which depicts this period. "For although the natural ills
that beset mankind are many, we ourselves have added to them by wars and civil strife against
one another, so that some have been unjustly put to death in their own cities, others driven into
exile with their wives and children, and many have been compelled, for the sake of their daily
bread, to die fighting against their own people, for the sake of the enemy". (Isocrates) (Botsford
& Robinson's Hellenic Hist., c. XIII. Couch's Hist. of Greece, c. XXII. Bury's Hist. of Greece, c.
X. The Tutorial Hist. of Greece by W. J. Woodhouse, c. 27, 28 and 29).

Chapter III: Greek Philosophy was the Offspring of the Egyptian Mystery
System

1. The Egyptian Theory of Salvation Became the Purpose of Greek Philosophy

The earliest theory of salvation is the Egyptian theory. The Egyptian Mystery System had as its
most important object, the deification of man, and taught that the soul of man if liberated from its
bodily fetters, could enable him to become godlike and see the Gods in this life and attain the
beatific vision and hold communion with the Immortals (Ancient Mysteries, C. H. Vail, P. 25).
Plotinus defines this experience as the liberation of the mind from its finite consciousness, when
it becomes one and is identified with the Infinite. This liberation was not only freedom of the
soul from bodily impediments, but also from the wheel of reincarnation or rebirth. It involved a
process of disciplines or purification both for the body and the soul. Since the Mystery System
offered the salvation of the soul it also placed great emphasis upon its immortality. The Egyptian
Mystery System, like the modern University, was the centre of organized culture, and candidates
entered it as the leading source of ancient culture.

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Stolen Legacy: Greek Philosophy is Stolen Egyptian Philosophy by George G. M. James
The Journal of Pan African Studies 2009 eBook