Pre-Socratic Philosophers
Ionian School of Thought: Anaximander Anaximenes Heraclitus Thales Eleatic School of Thought: Parmenides Zeno Atomist School of Thought: Anaxagoras Empedocles ANAXIMANDER Main Teachings: The 'Boundless' as principle According to Aristotle and Theophrastus, the first Greek philosophers were looking for the 'origin' or 'principle' (the Greek word 'archê' has both meanings) of all things. Anaximander is said to have identified it with 'the Boundless' or 'the Unlimited' (Greek: 'apeiron', i.e. 'that which has no boundaries'). Already in ancient times, it is complained that Anaximander did not explain what he meant by 'the Boundless'. More recently, authors have disputed whether the Boundless should be interpreted as spatially or temporarily without limits, or perhaps as that which has no qualifications, or as that which is inexhaustible. Some scholars have even defended the meaning 'that which is not experienced', by relating the Greek word 'apeiron' not to 'peras' ('boundary', 'limit'), but to 'perao' ('to experience', 'to apperceive'). The suggestion, however, is almost irresistible that Greek philosophy, by making the Boundless into the principle of all things, has started on a high level of abstraction. On the other hand, some have pointed out that this use of 'apeiron' is atypical for Greek thought, which was occupied with limit, symmetry and harmony. The Pythagoreans placed the boundless (the 'apeiron') on the list of negative things, and for Aristotle, too, perfection became aligned with limit (Greek: 'peras'), and thus 'apeiron' with imperfection. Therefore, some authors suspect eastern (Iranian) influence on Anaximander's ideas. Contributions: Speculative astronomy The astronomy of neighbouring peoples, such as the Babylonians and the Egyptians, consists mainly of observations of the rising and disappearance of celestial bodies and of their paths across the celestial vault. These observations were...
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