The Wes Cecil Podcast

The History of Philosophy in 16 Questions - Q9: The New World?

Oct 1, 2025

Explore the fascinating world of Mesoamerican philosophy in this insightful discussion. Learn about the timeline of the Mayan civilization and Tenochtitlan's rise. Delve into the dynamic concept of teotl as ever-changing energy in Nahua metaphysics. Discover Aztec pragmatism and the notion of a 'slippery world.' Uncover the role of art and representation in these cultures and how humans are seen as active participants in shaping the universe. With fresh perspectives on recent discoveries, the podcast highlights the urgent need for deeper engagement with Mesoamerican thought.

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INSIGHT

Sudden Leap In Mesoamerican Research

Recent breakthroughs in linguistics, archaeology, and LIDAR have made Mesoamerican philosophy study possible in ways previously impossible.
Wes Cecil emphasizes that this surge allows serious access to Aztec and Mayan thought after decades of neglect.

INSIGHT

Maya Are A Living Civilization

Mayan civilization is continuous and still alive with millions speaking Mayan languages today.
Cecil notes Proto-Mayan likely dates to ~3000 BC, giving 5,000 years of regional linguistic continuity.

INSIGHT

Dating The Mayan Peak

Archaeology pushes Mayan origins earlier through combined linguistic and material evidence.
Cecil marks 250–900 AD as the classical peak, highlighted by Long Count calendar use.

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The History of Philosophy in 16 Questions - Q9: The New World?

Mayan Civilization

2,000-750 B.C. earliest developments

750 B.C. to 250 A.D. Cities, construction of monumental architecture

250- 900 A.D. Long Count Calendar and spread of city states. Height of Mayan Civilization

900-1500 Post classical period, shift in power centers, fragmentation.

1500-1600 Contact and conquest by the Spanish

Aztec Civilization

600 A.D. Nahuatl speaking peoples begin to settle in Mexico

600-1400 The Mixica and related groups travel around central Mexico without settling and forming an identifiable civilization.

1435-1522 founding of the Captial city of Tenochtitlan on Lake Texcoco and expansion of Aztec empire

Aztec Philosophy

Nahua metaphysics is processive. Process, movement, becoming and transmutation are essential attributes of teotl. Teotl is properly understood as ever-flowing and ever-changing energy-in-motion -- not as a discrete, static entity. Because doing so better reflects teotl's dynamic and processual nature, I suggest . . word "teotl" as a verb denoting process and movement rather than as a noun denoting a discrete static entity. So construed, "teotl" refers to the eternal, universal process of teotlizing. James Maffie

"on earth we travel, we live along a mountain peak. Over here there is an abyss, over there there is an abyss. Wherever thou art to deviate, wherever thou art to go astray, there will thou fall, there wilt thou plunge into the deep" (Sahagun 1953-82:VI,p.125).

Mayan Philosophy

It this unfolding that is described by the Popol Vuh itself. The connection of daykeeping to humans as a central function is of particular importance. Humans play a pivotal role in ordering of the cosmos and its continual creation. The ordering of the days does no happen without humans . . . The world is structured in and through time. (Alexus McLeod)

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