Thales of Miletus was an Ancient Greek philosopher, regarded by many as the first philosopher in history, for breaking from the prior use of mythology to explain the world and instead using natural philosophy. He was one of the Seven Sages, founding figures of Ancient Greece, and credited with the saying “know thyself”.
Thales is also renowned for his contributions to mathematics. He is credited as the first to have engaged in mathematics, science, and deductive reasoning. He is credited with making practical contributions to geometry and is famously associated with proposing that water is the fundamental substance from which everything arises.
While few written records of Thales’ works have survived, his influence on subsequent philosophers and the development of Greek thought is significant. His emphasis on seeking natural explanations and using reason to understand the world marked the beginning of a philosophical tradition that would flourish and evolve in the centuries to come.
Biography
Thales of Miletus was born around 624 BCE in Miletus, an ancient Greek city on the western coast of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). He was born into a noble family, however, despite his aristocratic background, he pursued intellectual pursuits, showing an early inclination towards philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy.
Thales was likely exposed to Egyptian and Babylonian mathematical and philosophical ideas. He is said to have traveled widely, including visits to Egypt, where he gained knowledge in geometry and astronomy. He is also recognized as one of the Seven Sages of Greece, a semi-legendary wise statesman, and a founding figure of Ancient Greece.
Philosophical Contributions
As stated earlier, Thales of Miletus is often regarded by many as the first philosopher in history because he aimed to explain natural phenomena via rational hypotheses referencing natural processes. Before him, Early Greeks, and other civilizations often invoked idiosyncratic explanations of natural phenomena regarding the will of anthropomorphic gods and heroes.
Thales is often remembered for his proposal that water is the fundamental substance or “archê” (origin) of all things. He believed that water could transform into various forms, and he speculated that everything in the world originated from and returned to water. He also demonstrated an interest in astronomy and was credited with predicting a solar eclipse around 585 BCE. He was also credited with discovering the position of the constellation Ursa Major as well as the timings of the solstices and equinoxes.
Thales was also known for introducing the theoretical and practical use of geometry to Greece, and has been described as the first person in the Western world to apply deductive reasoning to geometry, making him the West’s “first mathematician.” He is said to have applied geometric principles to measure the height of Egyptian pyramids and the distance of ships from the shore. Though many of his works are lost, the famous Thales Theorem is named after him.
Thales was not just a theoretical philosopher; he was also involved in practical matters. He advised the Milesian government on irrigation techniques, demonstrating his ability to apply scientific knowledge to solve real-world problems. He was also an engineer; credited with diverting the Halys River. Additionally, he applied his astronomical knowledge to navigation, making contributions to the development of early navigation techniques.
Legacy
As the first philosopher and mathematician in history, Thales of Miletus laid the groundwork for the philosophical tradition in ancient Greece and profoundly influenced other Greek thinkers and, ultimately Western history. His emphasis on finding natural explanations for phenomena and his focus on a single, underlying substance influenced later philosophers, including Anaximander and Heraclitus.
Thales’ approach to seeking rational explanations for natural phenomena marked a shift from mythological explanations, paving the way for the development of Western philosophy. His understanding of celestial phenomena contributed to his reputation as a philosopher with practical knowledge.
While much of Thales’ written work has been lost over time, his impact on the history of philosophy, science, and mathematics is undeniable. He remains a foundational figure in the intellectual history of ancient Greece, and his ideas have continued to influence thinkers throughout the centuries. He died at the age of 78 during the 58th Olympiad (548–545 BC) and attributes his death to heat stroke and thirst while watching the games.
