Thales of Miletus (Greek Θαλής ο Μιλήσιος) (C. 639
or 624 BC
- h.
547 / 6 BC ) was the originator of rational inquiry on
universe, so he is considered the first philosopher of history. It was the first and most famous of the Seven Sages of Greece
(the wise astronomer) and was a disciple and protected
Pythagoras. It is beyond one of the greatest astronomers and mathematicians of his time to such an extent that was required reading for any mathematician in the Middle Ages
and contemporary. His studies covered the area thoroughly
Geometry, Linear Algebra
,
bodies in space and some branches of physics
, such as Static
,
Dynamics and Optics
. His life is shrouded in the mists of legend. It was the first Ionian philosopher
.
Thales was born in the city of Miletus
(Greek: Μίλητος bunk Miletos,
Turkish: Milet) an ancient city on the western coast of Asia Minor (in what is now the province of Aydın
in Turkey
), near the mouth of the Menderes River
.
What little is known about the life of these comes from ancient sources, some different results. Most historians have us as genuine Milesian. However, according to Diogenes Laertius, a major Greek historian, was admitted to the Ionian city of Miletus
, along the Aegean
after being expelled from Phoenicia along with
Nile. What is indisputable is that he lived in that city and it was there where he developed his philosophy. He was the son of Euxamias (also known as examined) and Cleobulina (or Cleobulus), and apparently had Phoenician ancestry. As the Ionians kept
trade with Egypt and Babylon, it is likely that such visits the first when I was young, during the reign of Pharaoh Amasis
, where it is assumed that he was educated by the priests. Perhaps it was his fellow students and
Solon
Pherecydes Syros. It is also likely to have personally known
Pythagoras, who recommended to travel to and educate
Egypt with the priests of Memphis
and
Diospolis . The Babylonians had to learn astronomy.
Anaximander and Anaximenes
may have been his disciples.
Apollodorus, in his ¨ Chronology ¨, says he died at the age of seventy-eight. However,
Sosícrates says LVIII died in the Olympics at the age of ninety years. Both
Herodotus (I, 170) as Diogenes Laertius
(I, 25) mark him as a wise political advisor
Ionians and Lydians
.
Laertius says some like the poet
Corilio stated that he was the first to hold the immortality of the soul, which, as Aristotle tells us, is for Such a driving force. Herodotus also refers
(I, 75) who managed to divert the river to
Halys was crossed by the army of Croesus
.
Aristotle
, meanwhile, has in his Politics (I, 11, 1259th) also excelled in the area of \u200b\u200bfinance, after having predicted (thanks to his astronomical knowledge) how would the olive harvest, bought during the winter all the oil presses
Miletus and Chios
and rented to reach the harvest time, accumulating a vast fortune and showing that philosophers can be rich if they wish, but that his ambition is quite different.
Perhaps the most well-known anecdote of Thales is one that we Herodotus, when he predicted to the year Ionic a solar eclipse happen
(perhaps made possible thanks to the Babylonian system), circa 585 BC. Similarly, Diogenes Laertius recounts, falling Tales in a well after being taken by an old woman to see the stars, it answered his cry for help: ¨ How do you expect, Tales, learn about the heavens, when no see what's under your feet? ¨. Is credited with having made the measurement of the pyramids, through the shadows they cast when they are the same as ourselves. It was the first to have made a scientific explanation of an eclipse
. It is also said that it was the first divide the year in stations and in 365 days.
Thought and work
In times of Thales, the Greeks explained the origin and nature of the cosmos
with myths of anthropomorphic gods and heroes.
Nature's explanation
Greek philosophy began with a question by nature (physis) or the principle or ultimate principles (land, water, air ...) that are the nature of things. Early Greek philosophers believed that either the land, water, air, etc. were those that were generated by all elements of the universe, namely the origin. They also believed that this principle or principles were those which consisted of all beings in the universe, ie substrate. Finally also to be what or who could explain the changes that take place in the universe, cause.
the explanation of those
If nature always remitted to a principle or arche
could wonder whether it was possible to conceive of a single reality or substance that could carry on both origin and cause substrate. Such
argued that it was the water
who played that role, and perhaps the first significant explanation of the physical world without explicit reference to the supernatural. Such stated that water is the primary universal substance and that the world is animated and full of divinities.
Reasons why water is the principle
Aristotle tells us that water Such is the beginning or arche (
arche) of all things because:
The earth rests on water.
moisture is in the nutrition of all things.
The heat itself is generated by the moisture retained by it.
The seeds of all things are wet, and water is the source of the nature of moist things.
Origin of thought are likely to have been one of the first men who carried geometry to Greek world, and
Aristotle regarded as the first of the φυσικόι or "natural philosophers." Many of these ideas seem to come from his Egyptian education. Similarly, the idea that the earth floats on the water may have broken away from certain cosmological ideas of
Middle East.
Works Some scholars argue that Thales did not write any works, and that their knowledge was transmitted, at first orally. Others, however, think so and, according to ancient sources, quote from his works (which have not survived or even piecemeal), a nautical astronomy (Attributed also to
Focus Samos), On the solstices and equinoxes on.
Such appointments few sentences and verses attributed to Diogenes Laertius These are:
Many words are not signs of cautious encouragement. Find a single
wisdom. Choose
one good thing.
thus breaking the language of the talkers (liars)
The most beautiful the world because it is God's work.
The larger the space, because it encompasses everything. The fastest
is understanding, because it runs across.
The stronger the need, because it dominates everything.
wisest thing is time, because it clarifies everything.
Laertius also ensures Such is the proverbial "know thyself."
While there are significant differences between the many
pre-Socratic philosophers and schools may be said broadly agreed that the pre-Socratic attempt to offer a rational explanation [λόγος] of the Universe [κόσμος] rather than through
myths [μύθοι] in the manner of Homer
poets Hesiod and
. Such explanations are limited, frequently, the application of a first principle, arche
[Πρώτη αρχή] or item [στοιχείον] of all existing things [τά όντα].
But it should make clear that this principle was not understood as originating in all things, as the Greeks did not have an idea of \u200b\u200bcreating the universe from nothing, but was conceived as a common element found in nature , from which, of course, would settle the rest.
Now, on what were those principles and of what kind, their ideas differed considerably. For some, the principle could be any of the so-called "four elements (earth, water, air and fire). This is mainly in the first philosophers, who took the first step to overcome the mythical explanation, embracing the elements that were once embodied by the gods, and now, would be metaphysical. Moreover, in the case of Empedocles
, for example, was taken together the four elements plus two principles: love [φιλία] and fight [νείκος]. For other Presocratics, however, there was one principle that a substance could be infinite or indeterminate [τό άπειρον] or thought [νούς] and even the
be [τό όν].
Aristotle was the first to referirise Presocratic philosophers "physical" [οι φυσικοί] and they attributed this search as a feature αρχή. However, some contemporary commentators (eg. H. Cherniss, Aristotle's Criticism of Plato and the Academy) consider that the Aristotelian approach is wrong. In fact, if it is true that some pre-Socratic philosophers argue that the universe is made of a natural principle, as the air [αήρ], in the case of Anaximenes
- is not the fact that in the case of other philosophers
Such
-like Heraclitus or for whom the water [ύδωρ] or fire [πύρ], respectively, constitute the generative principle of all that exists-the elements would be mere "precursors" of the cosmos (cf. GS Kirk & JE Raven, The Presocratic Philosophers) or complex metaphors in fact, does not constitute a concrete element as founding principle. This could be the case of Heraclitus, who could use fire as a symbol for the future "... fire is turned on and off as far as measure. "(Greek Θαλής ο Μιλήσιος) (h
639 or 624 BC
- h.
547 / 6 BC ) was the originator of rational inquiry on
universe, so it is considered the first philosopher of history. It was the first and most famous of the Seven Sages of Greece
(the learned astronomer) and was a disciple and protected
Pythagoras. It is beyond one of the greatest astronomers and mathematicians of his time to such an extent that was required reading for any mathematician in the Middle Ages
and contemporary. His studies covered the area thoroughly
Geometry, Linear Algebra
,
bodies in space and some branches of physics
, such as Static
,
Dynamics and Optics
. His life is shrouded in the mists of legend. It was the first Ionian philosopher
.
Thales was born in the city of Miletus
(Greek: Μίλητος bunk Miletos,
Turkish: Milet) an ancient city on the western coast of Asia Minor (in what is now the province of Aydın
in Turkey
) near the mouth of the Menderes River
.
What little is known about the life of Tales from ancient sources, some different results. Most historians have us as genuine Milesian. However, according to Diogenes Laertius, a major Greek historian, was admitted to the Ionian city of Miletus
, along the Aegean
after being expelled from Phoenicia along with
Nile. What is indisputable is that he lived in that city and it was there where he developed his philosophy. He was the son of Euxamias (also known as examined) and Cleobulina (or Cleobulus), and apparently had Phoenician ancestry. As the Ionians kept
trade with Egypt and Babylon, it is likely that such visits first when I was young, during the reign of Pharaoh Amasis
, where it is assumed that he was educated by the priests. Perhaps it was his fellow students and
Solon
Pherecydes Syros. It is also likely to have personally known
Pythagoras, who recommended to travel to and educate
Egypt with the priests of Memphis
and
Diospolis . The Babylonians had to learn astronomy.
Anaximander and Anaximenes
may have been his disciples.
Apollodorus, in his ¨ Chronology ¨, says he died at the age of seventy-eight. However,
Sosícrates says LVIII died in the Olympics at the age of ninety years. Both
Herodotus (I, 170) as Diogenes Laertius
(I, 25) mark him as a wise political advisor
Ionians and Lydians
.
Laertius says some like the poet
Corilio stated that he was the first to hold the immortality of the soul, which, as Aristotle tells us, is for Such a driving force. Herodotus also refers
(I, 75) who managed to deflect Halys
River to be crossed by the army of Croesus
.
Aristotle, meanwhile, has in his Politics (I, 11, 1259th) also excelled in the area of \u200b\u200bfinance, after having predicted (thanks to his astronomical knowledge) how would the olive harvest bought during the winter all the oil presses
Miletus and Chios
and rented to reach the harvest season, accumulating a vast fortune and showing that philosophers can be rich if they wish, but that his ambition is quite different. Perhaps the anecdote
Such known is that which Herodotus tells us, when he predicted to the year Ionic happen a solar eclipse
(perhaps made possible thanks to the Babylonian system), circa 585 BC. Similarly, Diogenes Laertius recounts, falling Tales in a well after being taken by an old woman to see the stars, it answered his cry for help: ¨ How do you expect, Tales, learn about the heavens, when no see what's under your feet? ¨. Is credited with having made the measurement of the pyramids, through the shadows they cast when they are the same as ourselves. It was the first to have made a scientific explanation of an eclipse
. Also said to be the first to divide the year at stations and in 365 days.
Thought and work
In times of Thales, the Greeks explained the origin and nature of the cosmos
with myths of anthropomorphic gods and heroes.
Nature's explanation
Greek philosophy began with a question by nature (physis) or the principle or ultimate principles (land, water, air ...) that are the nature of things. Early Greek philosophers believed that either the land, water, air, etc. were those that were generated by all elements of the universe, namely the origin. They also believed that this principle or principles are those which consisted of all beings in the universe, ie substrate. Finally also to be what or who could explain the changes that take place in the universe, cause.
the explanation of those
If nature always remitted to a principle or arche
could wonder whether it was possible to conceive of a single reality or substance that could carry on both origin and cause substrate. Such
argued that it was the water
who played that role, and perhaps the first explanation significant physical world without explicit reference to the supernatural. Such stated that water is the primary universal substance and that the world is animated and full of divinities.
Reasons why water is the principle
Aristotle tells us that water Such is the beginning or arche (
arche) of all things because:
The earth rests on water.
moisture is in the nutrition of all things.
The heat itself is generated by the moisture retained by it.
The seeds of all things are wet, and water is the source of the nature of moist things.
Origin of thought
is likely to have been one of the first men who led the Greek world geometry and
Aristotle regarded as the first of the φυσικόι or "natural philosophers." Many of these ideas seem to come from his Egyptian education. Similarly, the idea that the earth floats on the water may have broken away from certain cosmological ideas of
Middle East.
Works Some scholars argue that Thales did not write any works, and that their knowledge was transmitted, at first orally. Others, however, think so and, according to ancient sources, quote from his works (the which have not survived or even piecemeal), a nautical astronomy (attributed also to Samos Focus
), On the solstices and equinoxes on.
Such appointments few sentences and verses attributed to Diogenes Laertius These are:
Many words are not signs of cautious encouragement. Find a single
wisdom. Choose
one good thing.
thus breaking the language of the talkers (liars)
The most beautiful the world because it is God's work.
The larger the space, because it encompasses everything. The fastest
is understanding, because it runs across.
The stronger the need, because it dominates everything.
wisest thing is time, because clarifies everything.
Laertius also ensures Such is the proverbial "know thyself."
While there are significant differences between the many
pre-Socratic philosophers and schools may be said broadly agreed that the pre-Socratic attempt to offer a rational explanation [λόγος] of the Universe [κόσμος] rather than through
myths [μύθοι] in the manner of Homer
poets Hesiod and
. Such explanations were limited, often, the application of a first principle, arche
[πρώτη αρχή] or item [στοιχείον] of all existing things [τά όντα].
But it should make clear that this principle was not understood as originating in all things, as the Greeks did not have an idea of \u200b\u200bcreating the universe from nothing, but was conceived as a common element found in nature , from which, of course, would settle the rest.
Now, on what were those principles and of what kind, their ideas differed considerably. For some, the principle could be any of the so-called "four elements (earth, water, air and fire). This is mainly in the first philosophers, who took the first step to overcome the mythical explanation, embracing the elements that were once embodied by the gods, and now, would be metaphysical. Moreover, in the case of Empedocles
, for example, was taken together the four elements plus two principles: love [φιλία] and fight [νείκος]. For other Presocratics, however, there was one principle that a substance could be infinite or indeterminate [τό άπειρον] or thought [νούς] and even
be [τό όν].
Aristotle was the first referirise as the pre-Socratic philosophers 'physical' [οι φυσικοί] and they attributed this search as a feature αρχή. However, some contemporary commentators (eg. H. Cherniss, Aristotle's Criticism of Plato and the Academy) consider that the Aristotelian approach is wrong. In fact, if it is true that some pre-Socratic philosophers argue that the universe is made of a natural principle, as the air [αήρ] in For Anaximenes
- is no less true that in the case of other philosophers
-like
Such or
Heraclitus, for whom water [ύδωρ] or fire [πύρ], respectively, are the generating principle of all that exists, "the elements would be mere" precursors "of the cosmos (cf. GS Kirk & JE Raven, The Presocratic Philosophers) or complex metaphors in fact, does not constitute a specific element principle founding. This could be the case of Heraclitus, who could use fire as a symbol for the future "... fire that turns on and off as far as measured.
PTN 
