Aztec Philosophy: What the Aztecs Knew About Life | Sebastian Purcell

Brain in a Vat

How did the Aztecs understand life, morality, and human purpose? What can Aztec philosophy teach us about living well?

Sebastian Purcell guides us through Aztec thought, beginning with a thought experiment from Homer’s Odyssey and moving into the core ideas of Aztec wisdom.

Along the way, he contrasts Aztec ethics with Western traditions and applies them to modern debates on morality, from sex and meat consumption to life’s ultimate purpose. The conversation also takes on difficult topics like human sacrifice and sexual norms, showing how Aztec thought continues to challenge and enrich philosophy today.

Chapters:

[00:32] Odysseus and the Genie: A Thought Experiment

[04:40] The Concept of Rootedness

[08:17] Aztec Obligations and the Good Life

[19:12] Shared Agency and Virtue

[27:51] The Challenge of Community Bubbles

[28:58] Aztec Views on Community and Travel

[32:44] Human Sacrifice: Myth or Reality?

[48:51] Aztec Moral Framework and Applied Ethics

[53:03] Sexual Ethics in Aztec Society

[57:06] Conclusion and Final Thoughts