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THALES The earliest of the Greek Philosophers who lived in Miletus in Ancient Greece (600 B.C.) was Thales. He is now known as the father of Greek philosophy. He was the first to propose a solution to the problem question "What is the 'stuff' the from which all things come?" He saw that water turned to air and steam when heated, and solid when cold; he reasoned that everything came from water and in the end returned to water. From ancient records (Euclids Books), we know that he traveled to Egypt, probably taught geometry and he may have taught Pythagorus. We now know that all things do turn to a liquid state when heated to a specific temperature and elements have several different forms, depending on heat. The general statement that can be brought forth from Thales beginnings is - All things have liquid form at some temperature. ANAXIMANDER Aniximander, also of Miletus in the same time period wrote that the original 'stuff' of which everthing in the universe was made was a living mass which filled all space. He called this mass "the infinite". He said the inifinite was whole, not broken into pieces and it contained motion. The motion caused pieces to break off and thats how the world came to be as we see it. He reasoned that one day all the pieces would come back together as a whole and assume it's original unbroken unity. ANAXIMINE Anaximine, also of Miletus in the same time period suggested that the original 'stuff' of which all else in the universe was made was air. He realised that animals and man needed air to survive. He thought air turned into flesh and bone, and blood. Therefore he reasoned that air could become wind, clouds, earth, and stone. We now know that oxygen, an element of air, is needed for all living breathing organisms. Barnes & Noble, Inc. |