Philosophy of Thales: The Ancient Wisdom of the Ionic School
undefined
PHILOSOPHY OF THALES
(624 B.C.- 550BC.)
The earliest Greek philosophers belong to what
in after times came to be called the Ionic
School.
The name was derived from the fact that the
three chief representatives of this school….
Thales of Miletus is generally accounted the
founder and father of all philosophy.
He was born about 624 B.C. and died about
550 B.C.
These dates are approximate.
He was a contemporary of
Solon
and
Croesus
.
Solon was an
Athenian
statesman,
lawmaker
and poet.
He is remembered particularly for his
efforts to legislate against political,
economic and moral decline
in
archaic
Athens
.
Croesus
was the
king
of
Lydia
who,
according to
Herodotus
, reigned for
14 years: from 560 BC until his
defeat by the Persian king
Cyrus
the Great
in 546 BC (sometimes
given as 547 BC).
Gold coin of Croesus, Lydian,
around 550 BC, from modern
Turkey.
He was famous in
antiquity for his
mathematical and
astronomical learning.
An eclipse of the sun
occurred in 585 B.C. and
Thales is alleged to have
predicted it.
He caused a diversion
of the river Halys, when
Croesus and his army
were unable to cross it.
Why did Thales choose water as the first
principle?
And how was the universe formed out of water?
Most likely he never asked himself the
question, and gave no explanation.
We may naturally ask why, on account of such a
crude and undeveloped idea, Thales should be
given the title of the father of philosophy?
The significance of Thales is not that his water
philosophy has any value in itself, but that this
was the first recorded attempt to explain the
universe on naturalistic and scientific
principles, without the aid of myths and
anthropomorphic gods.
The fundamental thought of that period was,
that under the multiplicity of the world there
must be a single ultimate principle.
Thus Thales asserted that the ultimate reality is
water.
Ionic philosophers were all materialists.
They are also sometimes called
Hylicists,
from
the Greek
hule
’ which means matter.
Thales of Miletus, a key figure in the Ionic School of philosophy, is considered the father of philosophy. He believed that water was the principle of all things and made significant contributions to mathematics and astronomy. Thales's wisdom and engineering feats, such as diverting the river Halys, showcase his innovative thinking. His philosophical thoughts on water and the earth continue to influence philosophical discourse.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
PHILOSOPHY OF THALES (624 B.C.- 550BC.) THE IONICS
IONICS SCHOOL The earliest Greek philosophers belong to what in after times came to be called the Ionic School. The name was derived from the fact that the three chief representatives of this school .
FIRST: THALES 624 B.C. 550 B.C.
SECOND: ANAXIMANDER (610-547 BC)
LAST: ANAXIMENES (585-525 BC)
THALES Thales of Miletus is generally accounted the founder and father of all philosophy. He was born about 624 B.C. and died about 550 B.C. These dates are approximate. He was a contemporary of Solon and Croesus.
Solon was an Athenian statesman, lawmaker and poet. He is remembered particularly for his efforts to legislate against political, economic and in archaic Athens. moral decline SOLON SOLON (638 (638 BC BC- - 558 558 BC) BC)
Croesus Croesus was the king of Lydia who, according to Herodotus, reigned for 14 years: from 560 BC until his defeat by the Persian king Cyrus the Great in 546 BC (sometimes given as 547 BC). Gold around 550 BC, from modern Turkey. coin of Croesus, Lydian, CROESUS CROESUS (595 BC (595 BC C. 546 BC) C. 546 BC)
THALESS WISDOM He antiquity mathematical astronomical learning. An eclipse of the sun occurred in 585 B.C. and Thales is alleged to have predicted it. was famous for in his and
GREAT ENGINEER He caused a diversion of the river Halys, when Croesus and his army were unable to cross it.
PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT Firstly, that the principle of all things is water, that all comes from water, and to water all return. Secondly, that the earth is a flat disc which floats upon water.
TWO QUESTIONS Why did Thales choose water as the first principle? And how was the universe formed out of water?
Most likely he never asked himself the question, and gave no explanation.
SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS PHILOSOPHY We may naturally ask why, on account of such a crude and undeveloped idea, Thales should be given the title of the father of philosophy?
The significance of Thales is not that his water philosophy has any value in itself, but that this was the first recorded attempt to explain the universe on naturalistic principles, without the aid of myths and anthropomorphic gods. and scientific
The fundamental thought of that period was, that under the multiplicity of the world there must be a single ultimate principle. Thus Thales asserted that the ultimate reality is water.
Ionic philosophers were all materialists. They are also sometimes called Hylicists, from the Greek hule which means matter.
