-
Currently reading African Philosophy by Dr. Obenga, great work but I’m a bit confused on how certain cosmologies are viewed. In summary the early chapters talk of the Demiurge and heirarchy of creation:
pg. 46 “Indeed, it was within this “primordial chaos” (water of Nwn) that the demiurge acheived conciousness itself”
Pg. 72 “All that existed was water, Nwn. Coming into existence on his own, the demiurge (Ra, Atum,Chembe (Kongo cosmology) reigned alone.”
Pg. 77 translating the Shabaka Stone “Ptah-Nun the father who made Atum. Ptah Nunet the mother who gave birth to Atum. Ptah the Great Elder, the Heart of the Ennead who gave birth to the Gods, the tongue of the Ennead, who gave birth to the gods. Who is under the nose of Ra every day…”
Now above we see a reference to the Demiurge with parenthesis implying it (demiurge) is synonymous with Ra and Atum, but it’s also stated that Ptah preceeded Ra and and Atum.
My question with all the above considered is what is the demiurge? Is it a generic term that is being used for the various cosmologies rather Memphite,Theban, Aten and other throughout KMT’s history? Meaning these are early “gods” that were the original creation from the water of Nwn or something else?
Conceptually my current understanding is the Demiurge is a kind of proto-conciousness, or being coming into being itself divided yet united, which thereon lead to the Ennad and all the creatures we have come to know in the past present and beyond. It’s difficult to define though with semingly contridictions stated above.
Any comments or literature to help me understand the Demiurge is appreciated.
