Difference between revisions of "Thales"
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[[Image:Thales.gif|thumb|150px|Thales]] | [[Image:Thales.gif|thumb|150px|Thales]] | ||
| − | '''Thales of Miletus''' (ca. 624 BC–ca. 546 BC), was a [[Greek philosopher]] and [[mathematician]] and one of the seven wise men of antiquity. He was the first Greek philosopher to take an interest in [[mathematics]] and [[science]]. He was the first to apply logical proof to geometry, and proved the six basic propositions of geometry. When he traveled to [[Egypt]] he calculated the height of [[pyramids]] using [[geometry]], and would also calculate the distance of ships from the shore. He was born and lived in [[Miletus]], [[Ionia]], now western [[Turkey]]. | + | '''Thales of Miletus''' (ca. 624 BC–ca. 546 BC), was a [[Greek philosopher]] and [[mathematician]] and one of the [[Seven Sages|seven wise men of antiquity]]. He was the first Greek philosopher to take an interest in [[mathematics]] and [[science]]. He was the first to apply logical proof to geometry, and proved the six basic propositions of geometry. When he traveled to [[Egypt]] he calculated the height of [[pyramids]] using [[geometry]], and would also calculate the distance of ships from the shore. He was born and lived in [[Miletus]], [[Ionia]], now western [[Turkey]]. |
==Thales the philosopher== | ==Thales the philosopher== | ||
| − | Philosophically, Thales was a [[materialism|materialist]], and a [[monism | + | Philosophically, Thales was a [[materialism|materialist]], and a [[monism|monist]]. [[Aristotle]] says that he (Thales) was the first to consider the basic principles and originating substance of nature. When contemplating the myriad forms and changes seen in the world, the Ionian philosophers, and first among them, Thales, posited a basic unity and permanence behind the world of phenomena and its changes, something which underlay the changes around them and which remained unchanged through the various manifestations. |
Thales sought the causes of phenomena in terms of naturalistic explanations rather than the personal agency of supernatural beings and thus proposed the concept of a law regulated universe, in contrast with the mythological universe of the Olympian deities. In seeking for the basic principle of matter, Thales posited a material entity, water, as this basic substance. This is what makes him a materialist, but it was his concept that there was such a basic substance which is even more important. | Thales sought the causes of phenomena in terms of naturalistic explanations rather than the personal agency of supernatural beings and thus proposed the concept of a law regulated universe, in contrast with the mythological universe of the Olympian deities. In seeking for the basic principle of matter, Thales posited a material entity, water, as this basic substance. This is what makes him a materialist, but it was his concept that there was such a basic substance which is even more important. | ||
Revision as of 16:12, December 14, 2007
Thales of Miletus (ca. 624 BC–ca. 546 BC), was a Greek philosopher and mathematician and one of the seven wise men of antiquity. He was the first Greek philosopher to take an interest in mathematics and science. He was the first to apply logical proof to geometry, and proved the six basic propositions of geometry. When he traveled to Egypt he calculated the height of pyramids using geometry, and would also calculate the distance of ships from the shore. He was born and lived in Miletus, Ionia, now western Turkey.
Thales the philosopher
Philosophically, Thales was a materialist, and a monist. Aristotle says that he (Thales) was the first to consider the basic principles and originating substance of nature. When contemplating the myriad forms and changes seen in the world, the Ionian philosophers, and first among them, Thales, posited a basic unity and permanence behind the world of phenomena and its changes, something which underlay the changes around them and which remained unchanged through the various manifestations.
Thales sought the causes of phenomena in terms of naturalistic explanations rather than the personal agency of supernatural beings and thus proposed the concept of a law regulated universe, in contrast with the mythological universe of the Olympian deities. In seeking for the basic principle of matter, Thales posited a material entity, water, as this basic substance. This is what makes him a materialist, but it was his concept that there was such a basic substance which is even more important.
As Frederick Copleston stated it, summing up Thales' main philosophical contribution in his monumental History of Philosophy: ". . . the importance of this early thinker lies in the fact that he raised the question, what is the ultimate nature of the world; and not in the answer that he actually gave to that question or in his reasons, be they what they may, for giving that answer."
Thales the scientist
Thales studied the heavens, trying to come up with an idea that explained the movement of the stars and planets. He is most known for his correct prediction of the "short-term disappearance of the sun," now known as a solar eclipse.
He is said to have died in his seat while watching an athletic contest.
External links
There are no surviving writings of Thales. Our knowledge of Thales' life and thought comes to us in the form of commentaries by subsequent writers, principally Aristotle (with particular reference to his Metaphysics), who commented on all of his predecessors, including Thales. Some modern discussions are listed below.
Web links
- Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Thales - contains detailed references to many of the ancient writings discussing Thales
Print literature
- Barnes, J., Early Greek Philosophy (London, 1987)
- Copleston, F.C., History of Philosophy, Vol 1: Greece and Rome (Part 1 is a section on Pre-Socratic Philosophers)
- Kirk, G.S., Raven, J.E., and Schofield, M., The Presocratic Philosophers (Cambridge, 1990)