The Beginnings of Greek Philosophy Essay -- Science Math Stars Papers

The Beginnings of classic Philosophy The Milesians and Heraclitus Long before the time of Thales, a citizen of Miletus, in the district of Ionia on the west coast of Asia Minor, Chaldaen astrologers had listed info on the position of the stars and planets. As Thales studied these tables he thought he discerned a pattern or regularity in the occurrence of eclipses, and he ventured to harbinger a solar eclipse that occurred on May 28th 585BC. Some scholars think that this was just a lucky empirical guess, but if it was the discovery of an astronomic regularity or natural law, then Thales may be credited with distinguishing Greek philosophy and science from the somewhat aimless observations and disjointed information of the eastern wise men. When a law is formulated, Mans wonder at the phenomenon is supposed to be satisfied, and nature is said to be explained and understood. Thales is also credited with the discovery of several theorems of geometry and with diplomatic, engineering, and scotch exploits. If there is a difference between science and philosophy, it is that the regularities of science are relatively restricted, whereas the more general principles, called philosophic apply to wider areas. Thaless more general speculations concerned the record of the universe. What is the world made of? Are there many elements or is there but one? And if one, what is it? These questions dominated the entire Pre-Socratic period and they are still defy issues today and if Thaless answer seems crude to a so-called sophisticated 21st century mind, his motivation and procedure may prove as profound as any contemporary inspiration. As a matter of fact, Thales taught that all things are made of water, and we may imagine re... ...uch a person, so hardy as to call forth that reality is spiritual and not material, would have to be a genius as great as Plato. There is a much easier choice that digest be made. The great minds of ancient Greek thought with all their scienti fic acumen, so it may be concluded, have failed to find any truth. The reason for their mishap is simply that there is no truth to be found. Knowledge is impossible. This conclusion is a welcome relief after such arduous philosophising and besides, it offers great opportunities for manque young thinkers. Thus there arose in Greece the movement known as Sophism. Bibliography JOHNS, B. Early Greek Philosophical Thought New York, 1976 MARTIN, K. A History of Greek Philosophy New York and London, 1981 McCONNELL, T. The Pre-Socratic Philosophers Dublin 1988 CARSON, N. Exploring the Pre-Socratics London, 1985