James, George G. M., Stolen Legacy: The Egyptian Origins of Western Philosophy

Abstract

irst published in 1954, and most recently reprinted in 2010, the selfstated aim of James’ book is to establish improved race relations in the world by revealing an underlying truth concerning the contribution of the African continent to the rest of the world. It is an attempt to show that the true authors of Greek philosophy were not the Greeks, but the Egyptians. This theft of the African philosophical legacy by the Greeks has led to the mistaken opinion that the African continent has made no intellectual contribution to civilization – a misrepresentation that has become the root of racial prejudice. By bringing this information to the attention of the world, James hopes to remedy these prejudices which have corrupted human relations. James’ aim in Chapter One is to try to show that all the Ionian and Italian philosophers – Pythagoras, Thales, Democritus, and so on – obtained their education from Egyptian priests or became familiar with the teachings of the so-called Egyptian Mysteries well before they settled down and published their philosophies. In effect, the author argues that what these philosophers were disseminating was really the thoughts and doctrines of these Egyptians. James’ objective in Chapter Two is to argue that, since the period of Greek philosophy (640–322 B.C.) was a time of continual internal and external wars, it could not have provided a suitable environment for the production of philosophers. The Persian conquests, the Leagues and the Peloponnesian wars are all mentioned as troublesome conditions of this period in Greek history. The author claims that the development of philosophical thought requires an atmosphere which is free from strife and worry. Since this period was exactly the opposite to one of ease and tranquility, it could not be expected to have produced any philosophy of its own. In Chapter Three, James discusses the agreement or circumstances of identity between Egyptian and so-called Greek philosophical thought. Two points of agreement are stressed: the cultivation of the sciences and the life of virtue. He asserts that Socrates and other Greek philosophers offended the Athenian government because they pursued the study of astronomy and