The history of western philosophy has been in a constant state of flux. The ancient and the medieval era constitutes many different philosophical schools. This period is also significant as it is associated with the emergence of many notable philosophers, with many of their philosophical works still being studied till this day. Each school, with the help of their own specific discourse, can be credited to having brought upon a distinctive way of thinking, which would be different from other schools, in terms of philosophical activity. One of the most significant periods was the Pre-Socratic period, whose discourse can be regarded as revolutionary ( the explanation of this statement will be discussed throughout the paper). One of the most important philosophers that belonged to this period was Thales. This essay will attempt to explain how the philosophical works of Thales has changed the way we perceive the world and this essay will also show how Thales was the first philosopher to engage in a philosophy, that was both natural and scientific.

According to Thales, everything in the world comprised of a single substance, which would be the originating principle. This substance, for him, was water.  Thales also went as far as to say that the earth is superimposed on water and that it acts as a flat disk staying afloat on water. There are many interpretations as to how Thales came about this conclusion. In this essay, we will refer to the works given by Aristotle. He conjectures that “observation may have led Thales to this conclusion, "getting the notion perhaps from seeing that the nutriment of all things is moist, and that heat itself is generated from the moist and kept alive by it (and that from which they come to be is a principle of all things)” ( Copleston 1993, p.22). For Thales, even though water can be explained as the building block for everything ( as explained in the quotation above), water can also serve as the destroyer of things. For example, in the case of a plant, if it gets a sufficient amount of water, it will result in it growing into a healthy living thing. On the other hand, an overdose of water could potentially lead to the death of the said plant.

What made his theory even more ingenious is that he also explains the existence of water across all three states- gas, liquid and solid. With water in its natural form being a liquid, Thales implied that the process of evaporation is evidence of air being a product of water.  He also stated that if the process of freezing of water should be carried on further, the end result would be the solidification of water into the earth. Thus it would be right to suggest that “The only certain and the only really important point about Thales' doctrine is that he conceived "things" as varying forms of one primary and ultimate element.” ( Copleston 1993, p.23).

As previously mentioned, Thales thought that the earth was a flat floating disk. He also attempted to explain the cause of all natural phenomenon through rational theories which did not involve any supernatural tendencies. This was a major paradigm- shift as before this theory it was customary to relate all natural phenomenon with anthropomorphic gods. For example, prior to Thales, in the event of an earthquake, the most reasonable explanation would have been that the Greek sea god, Poseidon, was angry, and thus he was the one who caused the earthquake. On the other hand, Thales concluded that the water which surrounded the earth must have crashed against it, thus resulting in an earthquake. Here we can see how Thales attempts to break away from the presupposition that forms around the causal relationship between anthropomorphic gods and natural phenomenon. This theory was carried forward by his pupils and his successors and has thus this theory has become axiomatic while explaining natural processes, both in philosophy and science.

Thales can also be recognized as a hylozoist, as he believes that all matter has life. He also gave the example of a magnet, stating that even the magnet is alive as it can move iron. Thus the presence of movement indicates that the magnet ( matter) has life in it. Another statement that he is said to have spoken is “all things are full of gods”. Considering how Thales abandons the idea of relating gods to natural things and taking into account that we only have no primary text of his, the interpretation of the statement remains ambiguous. However, judging by the fact that both the magnet and the iron are things found naturally, we can assume that the movement of the iron being attracted towards the magnet can be interpreted as a natural energy and that there are many natural laws such as the afro-mentioned one in nature that offers an explanation on how something natural functions. In this way, the current interpretation collaborates with Thales’s notion of the rational hypothesis being used to explain natural phenomenon. As a conclusion, it is appropriate to say that “in Thales, we see clearly the transition from myth to science and philosophy, and he retains his traditional character sis initiator of Greek philosophy” ( Copleston 1993, p.24).

REFERNECE-

Copleston, Frederick. 1993. A History of Philosophy. Doubleday: New York