Lecture on 'Stolen Legacy' by George G. M. James

Jul 7, 2024

Stolen Legacy: An Overview

Introduction

  • Misnomer of Greek Philosophy: Claims there is no independent Greek philosophy; it was derived from Egyptian philosophy.
  • Religious System of Mysteries: Ancient Egyptians developed a complex religious system focused on salvation, seeing the human body as a prison for the soul.
  • Secret Societies: Egyptian philosophy was shared orally within secret societies.
  • Invasion and Education: Greeks learned from Egyptian priests post-Alexander's invasion.
  • Aristotle's Controversies: Questions about Aristotle’s ability to produce numerous books—suggests Greek philosophers were not original authors.

Chapter 1: Greek Philosophy is Stolen Egyptian Philosophy

  • Necessity of Egyptian Knowledge: Ionian, Italian philosophers, and notable figures like Pythagoras and Thales were educated by Egyptian priests.
  • Greek Appropriation: The Athenian government considered Greek philosophy foreign and persecuted philosophers.
  • Comparison of Teachings: Identifies many Greek philosophical teachings as originally Egyptian.

Chapter 2: Greek Philosophy Alien to Greek Conditions

  • Unsuitable Environment for Philosophy: Internal and external conflicts in Greece made it unlikely for philosophy to develop naturally.
  • Period of Wars: Persian expansions and internal conflicts impeded philosophical growth.
  • Constant Warfare: Conditions were unfavorable for philosophical contemplation.

Chapter 3: Greek Philosophy as Offspring of Egyptian Mysteries

  • Theory of Salvation: The Egyptian aim was the deification of man, which influenced Greek philosophy.
  • Persecution of Philosophers: Indicates Greek philosophers were persecuted for adhering to Egyptian teachings.
  • Mystery Schools: Various mystery schools in different regions were associated with Egyptian teachings.

Chapter 4: Egyptian Influence on Greek Education

  • Removal of Restrictions: Persian conquest of Egypt allowed Greeks to learn from Egyptians freely.
  • Initiation into Mysteries: Greek philosophers like Thales, Pythagoras, and Democritus received extensive education in Egypt.
  • Alexandrian Library: Aristotle and his pupils benefited from the vast collection of knowledge in the Royal Library at Alexandria.

Chapter 5: The Pre-Socratic Philosophers and Their Teachings

  • Ionic Philosophers: Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes derived teachings from Egyptian sources.
  • Pythagoras’ Influence: Emphasizes Pythagoras' role in transmitting Egyptian knowledge to Greece.
  • Plagiarism: Greek philosophers reiterated doctrines found in Egyptian teachings.

Chapter 6: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle

  • Socrates: Known for promoting self-knowledge and ethical teachings rooted in Egyptian wisdom.
  • Plato: His writings and doctrines are disputed and doubted, many ideas align with Egyptian teachings.
  • Aristotle: Criticized for allegedly appropriating numerous scientific works and presenting them as his own.

Chapter 7: The Curriculum of the Egyptian Mystery System

  • Priests’ Education: Six orders of priests mastered various books of Hermes, covering extensive scientific and philosophical knowledge.
  • Seven Liberal Arts: Included grammar, arithmetic, rhetoric, dialectic, geometry, astronomy, and music.
  • Specialization: Emphasized specialization in various secret sciences, including magic.

Chapter 8: Memphis Theology as the Basis

  • Memphis Theology: Considered the foundational text depicting Egyptian cosmological and theological views that influenced Greek philosophy.
  • Gods of Chaos and Order: Describes creation myths and philosophical doctrines underlying Egyptian religious practices.
  • Scientific Parallels: Memphis Theology paralleled modern scientific concepts and contributed to philosophical ideas incorrectly credited to Greeks.

Chapter 9: Social Reformation Through New Philosophy

  • Redemption and Reformation: Advocates for better race relations by acknowledging African contributions to civilization.
  • Educational System: Urges correcting historical inaccuracies in educational curricula and promoting the true origins of philosophical ideas.
  • Global Impact: Emphasizes the potential to improve global race relations by recognizing and honoring African legacy.