Pre Socratic Philosopher
Pre-Socratic Philosophers
PHI/105
March 2, 2012
Jennifer Howard
Pre-Socratic Philosophers
As I read about the philosopher in this era I found Anaxagoras to be the most compelling Pre-Socratic philosopher that we read about. He was a teacher of metaphysics who lived during the era of (c. 500 – c. 428 B.C.E.), (Moore & Bruder, 2008, p. 29). I found his distinctions between matter and mind to be intriguing. Many of his ideas about change and particles still hold true to this day.
Anaxagoras believed that every different type of mass consists of a make-up of its own particles and particles from all others (Moore & Bruder, 2008, p. 29). Even though the particles that he spoke of could not be considered “atoms”, his ideas are still closely related to modern-day science. Considering the era he lived in, the concepts that he communicated were definitely far advanced considering the time he lived in.
Although both Aristotle and Plato disapproved of Anaxagoras perceptions of the differences between mind and matter, Anaxagoras may have separated himself from both brilliant philosophers with his belief in the pure and infinite power of mind (Moore & Bruder, 2008, p. 30).
As I read Anaxagoras’ theories, I found myself amazed at the fact that he seemed to have come across a scientific idea without all our modern day technology and without the use of any scientific tools. How does one come up with such a concept? How does one think of the make-up of mind and matter? The philosophy and ideas of such philosophers like Anaxagoras are the foundation of modern science. Much of the knowledge we have today came from a single question or idea that someone else may have thought were the nothing more than the absurd ranting is of a mad man. The primary motivation of philosophers in the Pre-Socratic era was to bring knowledge and reason to the world, despite the repercussions it brought to their personal lives.
Reference
Moore, B. N., & Bruder,
PHI/105
March 2, 2012
Jennifer Howard
Pre-Socratic Philosophers
As I read about the philosopher in this era I found Anaxagoras to be the most compelling Pre-Socratic philosopher that we read about. He was a teacher of metaphysics who lived during the era of (c. 500 – c. 428 B.C.E.), (Moore & Bruder, 2008, p. 29). I found his distinctions between matter and mind to be intriguing. Many of his ideas about change and particles still hold true to this day.
Anaxagoras believed that every different type of mass consists of a make-up of its own particles and particles from all others (Moore & Bruder, 2008, p. 29). Even though the particles that he spoke of could not be considered “atoms”, his ideas are still closely related to modern-day science. Considering the era he lived in, the concepts that he communicated were definitely far advanced considering the time he lived in.
Although both Aristotle and Plato disapproved of Anaxagoras perceptions of the differences between mind and matter, Anaxagoras may have separated himself from both brilliant philosophers with his belief in the pure and infinite power of mind (Moore & Bruder, 2008, p. 30).
As I read Anaxagoras’ theories, I found myself amazed at the fact that he seemed to have come across a scientific idea without all our modern day technology and without the use of any scientific tools. How does one come up with such a concept? How does one think of the make-up of mind and matter? The philosophy and ideas of such philosophers like Anaxagoras are the foundation of modern science. Much of the knowledge we have today came from a single question or idea that someone else may have thought were the nothing more than the absurd ranting is of a mad man. The primary motivation of philosophers in the Pre-Socratic era was to bring knowledge and reason to the world, despite the repercussions it brought to their personal lives.
Reference
Moore, B. N., & Bruder,