¿Cuál es el origen de todo? Tales de Mileto y los Jonios | | I. Presocráticos 4 | T01 E04
Introduction to Greek Philosophy
Overview of Pre-Socratic Philosophers
- Alejandro introduces himself as a doctor in philosophy and discusses the origins of Greek philosophy, which began around the 6th century BCE in Ionia, present-day Turkey.
- The first pre-Socratic school was established by Ionian philosophers, including Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes, who sought material principles to explain reality.
Thales of Miletus
- Thales is recognized as the founder of the Ionian school and is considered the first philosopher in history. He transitioned from mythological explanations to rational thought (logos).
- He proposed that earthquakes were caused by waves rather than divine intervention, marking a significant shift towards empirical observation.
- Thales believed that everything originated from a single substance—water—due to its transformative properties (solid, liquid, gas) and its necessity for life.
Anaximander's Contributions
- Anaximander followed Thales and introduced the concept of "arjé," a primordial principle governing all things. Unlike Thales' water, he posited an indeterminate substance called "apeirón."
- The apeirón is characterized as limitless and infinite; it serves as both origin and return point for all entities in existence.
Anaximenes' Perspective
- Anaximenes synthesized ideas from his predecessors by suggesting that air is the fundamental element from which all things derive.
- He argued that air can be perceived like water but possesses an ethereal quality that allows it to condense or evaporate into various forms.
Significance of Ionian Philosophers
Rational Explanations vs. Mythology
- The Ionian philosophers are credited with being pioneers in seeking rational explanations for natural phenomena instead of relying on mythology.
Limitations of Their Theories
- Despite their groundbreaking ideas, they lacked detailed mechanisms explaining how elements transformed into diverse forms; their theories remained simplistic compared to later philosophical developments.
Conclusion & Future Topics
Acknowledgments and Next Steps
- Alejandro thanks viewers for their support and mentions upcoming discussions about Pythagorean philosophy.