THALÈS : La naissance de la philosophie

When Did Philosophy Begin?

The Origins of Philosophy

• The question of when humans began to philosophize is crucial for understanding the essence and uniqueness of philosophy compared to other forms of knowledge.

• A fundamental philosophical inquiry is: "Why does the world exist?" This question, while unanswerable with absolute certainty, marks a significant starting point for philosophical thought.

• Thales, often regarded as the first philosopher, lived around 625 BCE in Miletus (modern-day Turkey), unaware that he was pioneering philosophy since the term had not yet been coined.

Thales: The First Philosopher

• Thales is frequently reduced to an archaic figure known primarily for his assertion that water is the principle of all things. However, this statement holds deeper significance.

• To be recognized as the first philosopher, Thales needed to pose a genuine philosophical question and provide a rational answer. His inquiry into "Where does the world come from?" encapsulates essential human questions about existence.

Fundamental Questions in Philosophy

• Thales' simple yet profound question leads to broader inquiries: "Where do we come from? Who are we? Where are we going?"

• What sets Thales apart from others who pondered these questions is his recognition that answering them requires identifying a fundamental principle or substance underlying all existence.

The Concept of Arkhè

• By seeking a natural principle rather than mythological explanations for existence, Thales effectively invents philosophy. He introduces rationality into discussions about existence.

• The Greeks referred to this foundational principle as Arkhè, which signifies not only origin but also the active principle sustaining existence—essentially explaining how life begins and continues.

Philosophical Implications of Arkhè

• The concept of Arkhè represents a pivotal moment in philosophical history; it raises critical questions about creation and existence without resorting to supernatural explanations.

• Engaging with Arkhè can lead one toward theological or mythological answers if not approached critically. For instance, believers might attribute creation directly to God when asked about the world's origins.

Philosophical Inquiry into Creation

The Atheist Perspective on Creation

• An atheist might respond to the question of creation by stating, "we cannot answer this question; it is beyond us," or assert that "nothing and no one created the world; it does not need a creator" .

Thales and the Greek Understanding of Creation

• If asked about creation, a contemporary of Thales would likely say, "the gods created the world." This response opens up further inquiry into what materials were used for creation .

• Thales challenges this notion by asking, "with what did the gods create the world?" This shifts the expectation from a mythological explanation to a rational one .

Water as the Fundamental Principle

• Thales posits that water is the fundamental principle (Arkhè) explaining existence. He claims everything originates from water .

• While some may view this hypothesis as primitive or outdated, modern science supports its validity since life on Earth began in water approximately 3 billion years ago .

The Role of Water in Life

• Life has predominantly existed in aquatic environments for most of Earth's history. Essential building blocks like amino acids and DNA emerged in oceans .

• Human beings are composed largely of water, with our bodies being two-thirds water. Even our blood plasma closely resembles seawater .

Mythology vs. Rational Explanation

• Prior to Thales, mythology attributed life’s origin to entities like the Primordial Ocean without rational basis. In contrast, Thales' theory uses observable elements—water—as foundational to existence .

• Despite possible influences from Egyptian mythology regarding water's significance, Thales' approach marks a significant shift towards rational explanations rather than mythological ones .

Transformation and Unity in Nature

• Thales observes that water can transform into vapor when heated or ice when cooled, leading him to conclude that it possesses unique transformative properties unlike any other element .

• He theorizes that all elements—air, fire, earth—are forms derived from water: air is rarified water while earth is condensed water [].

Scientific and Philosophical Implications

• Although we recognize limitations in Thales’ explanation today, his assertion represents an early scientific attempt at understanding reality through observable phenomena rather than supernatural causes .

• His claim that all matter derives from a single primordial substance suggests an underlying unity within existence—a concept later echoed by Nietzsche who noted Thales' insight into the unity of Being and matter .

Philosophy and the Unity of Existence

The Soul of the World

• The concept that if matter is unified, then the world's soul or vital principle exists in every being and object. This suggests a logical connection where everything is an emanation from a single substance.

• The universe is described as a singular living entity, self-sustaining without external divine intervention or supernatural principles.

Life in All Things

• If the universe is one living being, then all entities within it possess life, including both animate and inanimate objects. Thales purportedly claimed that even stones are alive.

• Thales based his assertion on rational reasoning rather than magical thinking; he observed phenomena like magnetic attraction to conclude that stones exhibit life.

Rational Thought and Philosophy's Birth

• Thales' belief that all things are infused with life's energy led him to assert the immortality of the soul, which connects all beings through a singular energy.

• He is recognized as the first philosopher, mathematician, and physicist, marking an era when these disciplines were intertwined through observation and rational understanding of nature.

Methodology of Natural Causes

• Thales' method emphasized seeking natural causes for natural phenomena, laying foundational principles for philosophy and science. His approach initiated significant philosophical discourse.

Legacy of Thales

• Although modern science does not support Thales' claim that water is the essence of all things, his methodological contributions paved the way for scientific advancement by promoting rational inquiry.