Sebastian Purcell is an associate professor of philosophy at SUNY-Cortland, where he researches mathematical logic, ethics, and Latin American philosophy. He lives in Binghamton, New York.
"""Purcell’s rare skill set as a scholar of both philosophy and the Aztec language of Nahuatl allows him to make a dramatically original contribution to our grasp of how the Aztecs viewed self, life, and the world. Discourses of the Elders will not only change how you see Aztec culture: it may also change how you see our culture."" -- Matthew Restall, author of When Montezuma Met Cortés ""Prepare to have your philosophical imagination rocked. Purcell is a magnificent guide and beautiful translator of these profound and long-silenced texts. Purcell shares a dazzlingly fresh take on universal themes of the human condition which feel surprisingly modern. Discourses of the Elders is bursting with practical wisdom about looking for meaning and beauty in life, living virtuously, being happy, and finding a sense of rootedness amid entropy, with applications from raising children to leading excellently to aesthetics and urban planning, and so much more."" -- Skye C. Cleary, author of How to Be Authentic ""The goal of integrating Mesoamerican thought into the history of philosophy is brought much closer thanks to this new translation. The English version is readable and makes the general philosophical interest of the text clear, while preserving such culturally specific features as the evocative metaphors used to express ethical concepts. Detailed notes and a useful introduction help to make the work accessible and comprehensible to a wide audience."" -- Peter Adamson, author of Don't Think For Yourself ""Effectively explaining the highly abstract and metaphorical writing of the Nahuatl language, Sebastian Purcell handles very well the interpretation of the difrasismos that is fundamental to understanding the philosophy and poetry of the Aztecs. Discourses of the Elders allows the Aztecs to speak for themselves."" -- Manuel Aguilar-Moreno, author of Handbook to Life in the Aztec World"