Old Norse philosophy

[3] Some researchers believe Old Norse philosophy was largely indigenous in origin, having developed in relative isolation independent of outside influences.

[5] The most important source of Old Norse philosophy is the Poetic Edda,[b] which consists of a number of poems dealing with mythology, heroic legends and moral teachings.

[7] Another important part of the Poetic Edda is the Hávamál,[c] a poem on social conduct attributed to Odin, who was the god of war and wisdom and the leading deity in Norse mythology.

[3] Virtues emphasized in Old Norse philosophy include independence, self-reliance, loyalty, modesty, hospitality, generosity, compassion, courage, and most importantly, wisdom.

[14] The author of Hávamál stresses, like Aristotle, that man is at heart a social being, and that he cannot develop his full potential in isolation.

In accordance with Old Norse philosophy, it was foolish to lay awake at night thinking about ones troubles, as this made one less able to deal with the problem the next day.

[3] Despite belonging to a warrior culture, Old Norse philosophy emphasizes that even the lame, the armless, the deaf, and the blind have a particular place in society.