The Outward Path

The Wisdom of the Aztecs

Sebastian Purcell (SUNY-Cortland)

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Hardback

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English

Norton
10 November 2025

History; Philosophy

The Aztecs were a philosophical people who held that the top goal in human life is not happiness, but the pursuit of what they called neltiliztli: a life in truth. Our world, they held, is a ""slippery"" one-a place where it is easy to make mistakes and be unwell. A true life avoids slipping by pursuing a communitarian solution, beginning with the formation of relationships and growing deep roots, and later moving inward to still the mind. This outside-in approach is the outward path.

In The Outward Path, Sebastian Purcell carves out a place for Aztec philosophy in popular culture, alongside the ancient Greeks, the Stoics, and the Buddhists. He also presents ""spiritual exercises"" in their rich historical context and makes rootedness an achievable, practical goal for modern readers.

By: Sebastian Purcell (SUNY-Cortland)
Imprint: Norton
Country of Publication: United States [Currently unable to ship to USA: see Shipping Info]
Dimensions: Height: 218mm, Width: 147mm, Spine: 28mm
Weight: 380g
ISBN: 9781324020561
ISBN 10: 1324020563
Pages: 304
Publication Date: 10 November 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Sebastian Purcell is an award-winning associate professor of philosophy at SUNY-Cortland in New York, where he researches ethics, Aztec philosophy, and mathematical logic. He resides in Binghamton, New York.

Reviews for The Outward Path: The Wisdom of the Aztecs

""Part philosophical life manual, part introduction to Aztec philosophy, this eminently readable book presents the neltiliztli as a distinctive approach to life’s big questions—one that emphasizes rootedness, vulnerability, and the pursuit of justice. Read it for a vision of how to navigate these tumultuous, uncertain times."" -- Serene Khader, author of Faux Feminism ""Brilliantly enlightening and relatable, The Outward Path is a clear and compelling gateway to the underappreciated wisdom of Aztec philosophy. Offering insightful takeaways and practical guidance for modern challenges, this profound book is essential reading for all who seek a more fulfilling and meaningful existence."" -- Skye Cleary, author of How to Be Authentic