The Crucible of Philosophy - The Milesian School
- denismorine
- Nov 11, 2024
- 4 min read
When considering Ancient Greek philosophy, certain names stand out, such as Plato, Aristotle, and notably Socrates. Some may also be familiar with Thales, who is praised by both Aristotle and Bertrand Russell as 'the first of the philosophers'.
Hailing from Miletus in Ionia on the eastern Aegean coast, Thales and his followers arguably revolutionised the understanding of metaphysics, physics, and cosmology. Their inquiries, which can be considered the earliest form of philosophy, focused on uncovering the fundamental principles governing the universe, marking a transition towards a more scientific approach to reality. Unlike their predecessors who attributed events to divine intervention, the Milesian School ascribed all causes and effects within a much more secular scope.
Who Were the Milesian Philosophers?
The Milesian School was characterised by three main figures: Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes. Each philosopher offered unique viewpoints that challenged the dominant mythological beliefs of their era, establishing a foundation for subsequent philosophical exploration.
The Milesian School could be said to herald the watershed of Archaic to Classical Greek thinking. The end of latching to gods for explanations of all things, the scientific and empirical methodology innovated by the first true philosophers (in many ways) liberated Greeks so that they might both inquire and discover new ways of understanding and interpreting the world.
The Search for the Arche (of the Covenant...)
Thales of Miletus postulated that water is the basic element (arkhé) from which all matter originates. This idea transformed the concept of existence towards a unified theory, indicating that everything can be ultimately linked to a single primary substance - a type of proto-monism. Thales justified his claim by pointing out the reliance of most living organisms on water for their growth and regeneration. Additionally, Thales was doubtless inspired by the creation stories of the Levant (continuing into the Biblical Genesis) that the world began as water. Moisture, it appeared, was the origin of life - not too distant from modern hypotheses surrounding abiogenesis, such as underwater volcanic vents.
Anaximander, a student of Thales, departed from this focus on water and introduced the concept of the 'apeiron' or the infinite, the boundless. He proposed that the primary source of all things was an indefinite substance surpassing known elements. This shift towards abstract reasoning represented a significant advancement in discourses on cosmology. This, Anaximander considered, could embody the opposites in nature much more holistically than simple water.
Anaximander envisioned the world as a cylinder suspended in infinity, which celestial bodies could both pass under and overtake - a phenomenon he believed was possible because there was no inherent reason for the world to move, as it existed within the apeiron (the first usage of the Principle of Sufficient Reason - much adored by the later Leibniz). Anaximander's theory almost hints at a spatial, planetary model, a remarkable achievement considering the absence of contemporary gravitational knowledge or sophisticated astronomical observation techniques.
Anaximenes, another key figure and Anaximander's pupil, argued that air, or 'aer', was the essence of everything (somewhat losing out on what Anaximander had, albeit coincidentally, worked out). He believed that varying the density of air could transform it into other elements, such as fire, water, and earth. This early theory attempted to reconcile the interconnectedness of various substances and set the precedent for later renditions of the four elements, and humoral theory.
Other Philosophical Contributions
The inquiries of the Milesian philosophers went beyond identifying a primary substance; they delved into the metaphysics of change, existence, and the nature of reality.
Thales also made significant advances in mathematics and astronomy. His prediction of a solar eclipse in 585 BCE, singlehandedly predicting the eclipse which interrupted the Battle of Halys between the Lydians and Medes. This event marked one of the earliest recorded instances of scientific prediction. To Isaac Asimov, this event was 'the birth of science'.
Anaximander's ideas also echoed through early biology. He suggested that life evolved from simpler forms, which anticipated concepts akin to Darwinian evolution long before Darwin’s time. He famously noted the necessity of balance in nature, asserting that opposites must coexist—an idea that aligns closely with contemporary ecological principles.
Anaximenes contributed to advancing the concept that natural phenomena can explain reality. He encouraged using observation rather than myth or divine command to interpret events. This idea foreshadowed the empirical methods utilised in scientific inquiry today. For instance, Anaximenes’ method of correlating changes in air density with physical transformations serves as a primitive model for understanding the behaviour of matter.
The Methodology of Inquiry
One of the Milesian School's legacies is their innovative approach to philosophical inquiry. They laid the foundation for systematic examination by introducing rational thought and reasoning, influencing most subsequent philosophers.
They believed the universe operated according to consistent principles rather than chaotic divine whims. This perspective transitioned philosophical thought to a more empirical framework. Their methods provided a springboard for later thinkers, such as Pythagoras, Heraclitus, and Plato, who further developed these themes, or otherwise turned them on their head.
A crucial aspect of their methodology was prioritising observation and deductive reasoning. The Milesians sought explanations for natural phenomena devoid of mythological narratives, igniting an ethos of curiosity that fuelled the scientific revolution centuries later. By emphasising evidence-based reasoning, they encouraged a culture of inquiry that persists in scientific exploration to this day.
The Influence on Later Philosophy
The influence of the Milesian School extends well beyond its historical context. Their ideas became foundational for subsequent philosophical movements during the classical period and Renaissance. By challenging conventional thinking and promoting empirical inquiry, they inspired a wave of thinkers to explore existence and reality without being impeded by imposed theological barriers.
Their examination of fundamental elements and change prepared the ground for future philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. These thinkers would build upon the Milesian ideas, delving deeper into ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology. For instance, Aristotle’s concepts of causation and form demonstrate a significant evolution from Milesian thought, illustrating how their inquiries laid the groundwork for complex philosophical dialogues.
In essence, the Milesians didn’t merely scratch the surface of philosophical thought; they opened a floodgate of questions and ideas that would dominate the philosophical landscape for centuries.
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