The Intellectual Adventure of Ancient Man: An Essay of Speculative Thought in the Ancient Near East (Oriental Institute Essays)
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Book Overview
The people in ancient times the phenomenal world was teeming with life; the thunderclap, the sudden shadow, the unknown and eerie clearing in the wood, all were living things. This unabridged edition traces the fascinating history of thought from the pre-scientific, personal concept of a "humanized" world to the achievement of detached intellectual reasoning. The authors describe and analyze the spiritual life of three ancient civilizations: the Egyptians, whose thinking was profoundly influenced by the daily rebirth of the sun and the annual rebirth of the Nile; the Mesopotamians, who believed the stars, moon, and stones were all citizens of a cosmic state; and the Hebrews, who transcended prevailing mythopoeic thought with their cosmogony of the will of God. In the concluding chapter the Frankforts show that the Greeks, with their intellectual courage, were the first culture to discover a realm of speculative thought in which myth was overcome.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0226260089
ISBN13:9780226260082
Release Date:April 1977
Publisher:Oriental Institute Press
Length:410 Pages
Weight:1.15 lbs.
Dimensions:0.9" x 5.5" x 9.2"
Customer Reviews
3 ratings
Ayn Rand recommendation?
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
Many years ago I bought this book because it was recommended by some adherent of Ayn Rand. This person published a list of rational books to read. I believe the persons name was "Kelly" but I could be wrong. Anyhow this is a GREAT BOOK!!! Fantastic in understanding the evolution of human thought on the devine. [Irrational but great]. I would really like a referral to that list of books.
An examination into Mythopoeic truth
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
The collection of essays in this book are by far brilliant examinations with fit evidence. It is great for the reader interested in Ancient religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia, it provides fundamental views on ancient mans perspective of the world, gods, and himself from myth. This is not a text book, nor a history book but it does provide adequate literary evidence and footnotes. I wish I had read this before studying ancient philosophy, it would have greatly helped my understanding of the mind of these ancients. It's amazing to read about the development of mans theories through mythopoeic tales. Well worth it for the Philosophy-, religion- or ancient studies - student. Or if you really enjoy myths, find out how man came about with these stories. Covers Egyptian, Babylonian and Assyrian (in some detail) and Mesopotamian thought and myth.
Pretty Helpful
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
I used this as one of my references for a course in Jewish Studies. It was very helpful for a basic overview of some Near Eastern thought patterns.
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