In what sense was Thales the first philosopher? In what ways could we say that his thought was continuous with that of his poetic predecessors, and in what ways did he offer a new and revolutionary way of investigating nature?

 

Identify the physis of each of the Milesian philosophers. How did each philosopher most likely argue for his conclusions?

 

Trace the rising levels of trust in pure reason from Thales through Parmenides.

 

What were the three questions that together comprised the Milesian pattern for philosophical investigation?

 

Explain the notion of "nous" in the thought of Anaxagoras.

 

Trace the notion of opposites through the thought of Anaximander through the thought of the Atomists. Which philosophers made use of this notion? What similarities and differences can we find in these treatments?

 

Both Heraclitus and Parmenides were obsessed with change. Explain how change fits into each of their philosophical systems. Are there any similarities in their two accounts?

 

Previous section Study Questions & Answers Next section Suggestions for Furhter Reading

Popular pages: Presocratic Philosophy

Take a Study Break