Thales
Thales (624 BC-546 BC) lived in Ancient Greece and was arguably the world's first philosopher and scientist.
Prior to Thales, supernaturalism was considered to be the cause of most if not all things. For example, the answer to a question such as, "Why does the wind blow?" or "What caused the epidemic?" would invariably involve a supernatural explanation such as, "It is the will of the gods."
Explanations based on supernaturalism, however, are not really explanations at all. They represent non-rational, untestable assertions (such as god's motives) and, consequently, make the possibility of scientific advance impossible.
Thales rejected the pseudo-science of supernaturalism and put forth a radically different explanation of causes, one from which an advance in knowledge could occur. Specifically, Thales believed that water is ultimately the cause of all things. While this belief is incorrect, Thales's idea was revolutionary because it implied that natural forces are the cause of events, not supernatural ones.
In other words, Thales is the father of theories -- objective statements about the world that can be subject to criticism, revision or rejection based on internal consistency and sensory evidence.
Largely because of the contributions of Thales, both philosophy and science soon developed on a grand scale, laying the intellectual foundation for the Greco-Roman civilization as well as the modern world.
Life and Work
Thales of Miletus (fl. c. 585 BC) is regarded as the father of philosophy. He is also considered the founder of Milesian school and one of the seven sages. Only few fragmentary sources survive from Thales’ work. Some ancient authors ascribe to him, without serious justification, a work with the name Nautical Star-guide while according to some others he wrote only two works: On the Solsticeand On the Equinox.
Astronomy and Mathematics
Thales was also a great astronomer and mathematician. It is significant that he foretold the
Prior to Thales, supernaturalism was considered to be the cause of most if not all things. For example, the answer to a question such as, "Why does the wind blow?" or "What caused the epidemic?" would invariably involve a supernatural explanation such as, "It is the will of the gods."
Explanations based on supernaturalism, however, are not really explanations at all. They represent non-rational, untestable assertions (such as god's motives) and, consequently, make the possibility of scientific advance impossible.
Thales rejected the pseudo-science of supernaturalism and put forth a radically different explanation of causes, one from which an advance in knowledge could occur. Specifically, Thales believed that water is ultimately the cause of all things. While this belief is incorrect, Thales's idea was revolutionary because it implied that natural forces are the cause of events, not supernatural ones.
In other words, Thales is the father of theories -- objective statements about the world that can be subject to criticism, revision or rejection based on internal consistency and sensory evidence.
Largely because of the contributions of Thales, both philosophy and science soon developed on a grand scale, laying the intellectual foundation for the Greco-Roman civilization as well as the modern world.
Life and Work
Thales of Miletus (fl. c. 585 BC) is regarded as the father of philosophy. He is also considered the founder of Milesian school and one of the seven sages. Only few fragmentary sources survive from Thales’ work. Some ancient authors ascribe to him, without serious justification, a work with the name Nautical Star-guide while according to some others he wrote only two works: On the Solsticeand On the Equinox.
Astronomy and Mathematics
Thales was also a great astronomer and mathematician. It is significant that he foretold the