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Thales (fl. c.585 BC)

DOI
10.4324/9780415249126-A114-1
DOI: 10.4324/9780415249126-A114-1
Version: v1,  Published online: 1998
Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/biographical/thales-fl-c-585-bc/v-1

Article Summary

Known as the first Greek philosopher, Thales initiated a way of understanding the world that was based on reason and nature rather than tradition and mythology. He held that water is in some sense the basic material, that all things are full of gods and (purportedly) that all things possess soul. He predicted an eclipse of the sun and was considered the founder of Greek astronomy and mathematics.

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Citing this article:
McKirahan, Richard. Thales (fl. c.585 BC), 1998, doi:10.4324/9780415249126-A114-1. Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Taylor and Francis, https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/biographical/thales-fl-c-585-bc/v-1.
Copyright © 1998-2024 Routledge.

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