Zera Yacob · Philosophy
The method of Ethiopia’s great 17th-century philosopher: <em>hatata</em> means inquiry, and Zera Yacob made reason examine every received claim. Alone in a cave, he reasoned his way to a criterion of truth in what scholars have called an Ethiopian ‘cogito’ moment.
You learned that hatata means inquiry or investigation, that Zera Yacob developed his rationalist method as a hermit in a cave near the Tekeze River during the persecutions under Emperor Susenyos, and that he held reason and faith to come alike from the Creator. Explain the method and why he thought inquiry cannot off…
Leads to René Descartes.
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