ancient philosophy a new history of western philosophy volume 1

It is on the basis of the attempts to provide a complete, simple, unified explanation of the various phenomena of the world that the outline of the methods and concepts of modern empirical science were first drawn. They also inquired into what single material element constitutes the substratum (ultimate stuff) of the world. This explains why they are known as natural philosophers who engaged themselves with the study of nature. Available records show that in their philosophical speculations, they took into account only what falls under sense perception. It is obvious that philosophy amongst them began as an act of independent thought and they must have recognised that anything magical, religious or mythical differs from a natural, rational or scientific explanation. Thus, they were concerned with cosmology, that is, the scientific (empirical) investigation of the world and its development. They attempted to explain the origin and structure of the world in a rational manner. These philosophers are traditionally regarded as the first Greek philosophers on record. and became active in Miletus which was an Ionian colony in Asia Minor. The historical and epistemological importance of this to historians, linguists, and policymakers is highlighted.Thales, Anaximander and Anaximenes, the first three earliest Ionian philosophers, flourished during the 6th century B.C. It shall also attempt to explain in the light of African colonial history how and why the modern and contemporary policy of Ethiopian states suppresses Afaan Oromo.

But, how come that Afaan Oromo is reduced today to even below the regional, Oromiya, working language level in its status? Adopting an Africology and evolutionary linguistics perspective, this study shall exploit classical and contemporary archives and explore the etymological, epistemological, literary, theological and relational power of Afaan Oromo in explaining Africa’s pre-history as well as classical, medieval and modern era Africa’s and Ethiopia’s history. Early African travellers, too, were convinced that Afaan Oromo was not only the lingua franca of Africa up until 19th century CE, but was possibly the language of the Ancient Egyptian, Ancient Nile Valley or possibly even of Hittite from which was Indo-European languages emerged as offshoot.

Moreover, comparative theologians used Afaan Oromo and culture to understand the origin of major religions of the world. Similarly, early Assyriologists had to study Afaan Oromo in order to decipherer Babylonian cuneiform writing system.

Early Egyptologists had to first study Afaan Oromo in order to understand Ancient Egyptian or Kemet hieroglyphics.

Ancient philosophy a new history of western philosophy volume 1