Zara Yacob's Inauguration of Modernity and Cardiocentrism

by Teodros Kiros, Neil Roberts (Foreword by)

Overview

For too long, the human heart has been treated as no more than a physical organ that pumps blood. Recently, scientific evidence has emerged to show the heart is so much more. Zara Yacob’s Inauguration of Modernity and Cardiocentrism adds to the groundbreaking argument that the heart is also a thinking organ, a function that is always attributed to the human brain. The argument is marshalled with evidence and spiritual compartment. Following an insight from seventeenth-century Ethiopian philosopher Zara Yacob, and in conversation with both Kemetian (ancientEgyptian) thought on the philosophical status of the human heart and contemporary discussions on the hard problem of consciousness, Teodros Kiros argues that the heart is both a physical organ that pumps blood and a spiritual organ that originates thoughts, which it shares with the brain. Together they empower us to be compassionate, empathetic, generous, and sincere.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781666945669
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	10/15/2024
Series:	Philosophy of Race
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	146

About the Author

Teodros Kiros is professor of philosophy at Berklee College, associate of Hutchins Center at Harvard University, and professor of summer school at Harvard University

Table of Contents

Forewordby Neil Roberts

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

"In his latest work, Teodros Kiros fuses Kemetian heart philosophy and Zara Yacob's rationality, which engage deeply with the principles of John Rawls, to propose a nuanced theory of empathy. This union builds upon Rawlsian ideas of justice and fairness through the lens of African philosophical traditions to ground human rationality in Kemetian Ma'at - or what Kiros submits as the thinking heart. In this work, Kiros continues a lifelong project to champion African philosophies that enrich our understanding of justice, rights, and human interconnectedness."

Fiona Harris-Ramsby

This book is a comprehensive and compelling work that constitutes another moment in the grand corpus of the African philosopher Teodros Kiros! He is a towering figure!”

Cornel West

Dr. Teodros Kiros goes on an amazing philosophical exploration in his new book, and tasks us with the responsibility for further research. His thought process is intellectually dense yet easy to grasp for those interested in the origin of consciousness. A must read for the curious at heart (Ib)."

Prince Charles Alexander

Teodros Kiros limns the difficulties of writing, and in so doing proffers a follow up meditation on the modernity and afterlives of Zara Yacob that demands our utmost attention in the twenty first century and beyond.

Neil Roberts

"Zara Yacob's Inauguration of Modernity and Cardiocentrism is not only an introduction to African Ethiopian philosophical thought, but also an advanced analysis of the centrality of the heart in Zara Yacob's thought. Kiros goes as far as the Kemetian thinkers to enrich the reader's world with the intellectual-philosophical tradition of the Global South. He begins this journey from Ancient Egypt, through Zara Yacob, Modern Science, and even engages in the political philosophy of social justice of John Rawls. Without Kiros' brilliant critique and analysis, Zara Yacob's unique tradition of emphasizing the importance of the heart would be lost forever. To accomplish this daunting task, Kiros creates a super corpus of thought that describes what he sees as the central nodes of humanity's history of thought. What a privilege for contemporary readers!"

Fekade Abebe

In Zara Zacob’s Inauguration of Modernity and Cardiocentrism, Teodros Kiros highlights the importance of the spiritual heart in the moral functioning of the brain and impacts how humans can live a meaningful life influenced by compassion, mental clarity, creativity, and emotional balance. In the general view of Kemet (ancient Egypt) as well as pre-colonial African cultures, the heart was more than a physical organ. It was also the site of consciousness and the fountain of wisdom that blended reason with emotions. Kiros’ book directs us to look within ourselves for the true meaning of life and be guided by our Heart-Brain.

Donald O. Charles

Dr. Teodros Kiros goes on an amazing philosophical exploration in his new book, The Rationality of The Human Heart, and tasks us with the responsibility for further research. His thought process is intellectually dense yet easy to grasp for those interested in the origin of consciousness. A must read for the curious at heart (Ib)."

Charles Alexander