Thales of Miletus | Brief Biography

Thales of Miletus | Brief Biography

Thales of Miletus

Thales of Miletus was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer who lived in the eastern Aegean region in the early 6th century BCE. He was considered one of the Seven Sages of Greece and is widely regarded as the father of Western philosophy and the founder of natural philosophy.

He was born in Miletus, Ionia (modern-day Turkey), to a wealthy family. Very little is known about his early life and education, but it is believed that he travelled extensively throughout the Mediterranean and Egypt, studying mathematics and astronomy. He was particularly interested in the study of natural phenomena and sought to explain the world in terms of natural causes, rather than attributing events to the actions of the gods.

Thales was the first philosopher to propose a comprehensive explanation for the natural world. He believed that everything in the universe was made up of a single substance, which he referred to as the “arche” or “principle.” He suggested that water was the underlying substance of the universe and that everything else was derived from it. This idea was revolutionary at the time, as the dominant belief was that the gods controlled the natural world.

Thales also made significant contributions to mathematics. He is credited with five theorems in geometry, including the famous theorem that states that the circle is bisected by its diameter. He also used geometry to measure the height of the pyramids in Egypt and is said to have predicted a solar eclipse in 585 BCE.

In addition to his philosophical and mathematical contributions, Thales was known for his wisdom and was considered one of the Seven Sages of Greece. He was often consulted on matters of politics and governance, and was known for his sage advice and practicality. He is said to have advised the citizens of Miletus to dig wells to provide a source of water during a drought, and he is also credited with helping to solve a political crisis in the city of Phocaea.

Thales had a significant influence on later philosophers and thinkers. He is considered the first of the pre-Socratic philosophers and was a major influence on the development of Western philosophy. He is also considered the founder of natural philosophy and the first philosopher to attempt to explain the world in terms of natural causes.

He died in 546 BCE at the age of 78. Despite the limited information that has survived about his life and work, he remains one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and is widely studied and revered by scholars and students of philosophy to this day. 0 0 0.

N. B. This article originally belongs to the book, ‘Brief Biographies of Ancient Thinkers and Writers‘ by Menonim Menonimus.

Books of Biography by M. Menonimus:

1. The World Writers-Brief Biographies
2. Introduction to World Writers
3. Introduction to World Personalities
4. Love of Reputed Persons ..

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