Famous Egyptian Philosophers

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 1 
Hypatia
(Mathematician, Astronomer and Philosopher)
Hypatia
12
Birthdate: 0350 AD
Birthplace: Alexandria, Egypt
Died: February 29, 0415
Hypatia was a Hellenistic Neoplatonist philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer who lived during the 4th and 5th centuries. She also taught and served as a counselor. She is remembered for her commentary on Diophantus's Arithmetica. She was later murdered and became a symbol of feminism and of opposition to Catholic ideals.
 2 
Maimonides
(Philosopher)
Maimonides
5
Birthdate: April 6, 1135
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Córdoba, Spain
Died: December 12, 1204

Maimonides was a Sephardic Jewish philosopher. He went on to become one of the most important Torah scholars of the Middle Ages. He was also a respected physician and served as the personal physician of the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty, Saladin. His work The Mishneh Torah is considered one of the main authoritative codifications of Jewish ethics and law.

 3 
Philo
(Jewish Philosopher Who Lived in Alexandria)
Philo
3
Birthdate: 0020 BC
Birthplace: Alexandria, Egypt
Died: 0050 BC

Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria was perhaps the first to use allegory to fuse Jewish scriptures with Greek philosophy. Though not much is known about his life, it is believed Philo was a lover of theater, boxing contests, and lavish dinners. His written works showcase the development of Hellenistic Judaism.

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 4 
Yusuf al-Qaradawi
(Egyptian Islamic Scholar)
Yusuf al-Qaradawi
3
Birthdate: September 9, 1926
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Saft Turab, Egypt

Yusuf al-Qaradawi was an Egyptian scholar based in Qatar. An important influencer in the Muslim world, Al-Qaradawi is best remembered for his program, Sharia and Life. In addition to authoring over 120 books, Yusuf al-Qaradawi also helped found a website known as IslamOnline. Al-Qaradawi is often counted among the most influential Islamic scholars of his generation.

 5 
Muhammad Abduh
(Egyptian Islamic Scholar, Freemason, Judge and Philosopher)
Muhammad Abduh
4
Birthdate: 1849 AD
Birthplace: Lower Egypt, Egypt
Died: July 11, 1905

A prominent Islamic religious scholar from Egypt, Muhammad Abduh became the Grand Mufti, or an Islamic legal counselor, of his country. Known for his writings such as Risālat al-tawḥīd, he aimed at reforming Islam and ridding it of dogma and rigidity. He also avoided the literalization of the Quran.

 6 
Ahmed el-Tayeb
(Egyptian Islamic Scholar and Grand Imam of al-Azhar)
Ahmed el-Tayeb
3
Birthdate: January 6, 1946
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Luxor

Ahmed el-Tayeb is an Egyptian scholar who is currently serving as the Grand Imam of al-Azhar. Al-Tayeb served as the Grand Mufti of Egypt from 2002 to 2003 and then served as the President of Al-Azhar University from 2003 to 2010. Widely regarded as an important and influential leader of the Sunni Muslim community, Ahmed el-Tayeb has received several awards.

 7 
Ptahhotep
(Egyptian vizier)
Ptahhotep
2
Birthplace: Ancient Egypt
 8 
Ibn al-Farid
(Arab Mystical Poet Who Composed the Longest Mystical Poem in Arabic)
Ibn al-Farid
1
Birthdate: March 22, 1181
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Cairo, Egypt
Died: 1234 AD

Ibn al-Farid was an Arab poet whose poetry is regarded as the peak of Arabic mystical verse. He is also credited with composing the longest mystical poem in Arabic. Some of Ibn al-Farid's poems are still revered by Sufis and other dutiful Muslims around the world.

 9 
Isaac Israeli ben Solomon
(Physician)
Isaac Israeli ben Solomon
1
Birthdate: 0832 AD
Birthplace: Egypt
Died: 0932 AD
 10 
Olympiodorus The Younger
(Philosopher)
Olympiodorus The Younger
1
Birthdate: 0495 AD
Birthplace: Alexandria, Egypt
Died: 0570 AD
 11 
Abdel Rahman Badawi
(Egyptian Philosopher, Poet, and Professor Of Philosophy)
Abdel Rahman Badawi
1
Birthdate: February 17, 1917
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Sharabass, Egypt
Died: July 25, 2002

Abdel Rahman Badawi was an Egyptian philosopher, poet, and professor of philosophy. An exponent of existentialism, Badawi has been regarded as the most important master of Arab existentialism. He wrote over 150 books, including 75 encyclopaedic works. In addition to writing in several languages, Abdel Rahman Badawi also taught at institutions like Ain Shams University and Kuwait University.