Anaximander, "The Boundless"

"What is infinite is something other than the elements, and from it the elements arise." 

-Anaximander on arche

Living in Miletus, as a possible student of Thales, Anaximander was the first to deeply study geography as well as his teacher. He also is honored as one of the first metaphysicians in his creation of 'the Boundless' or 'the Unlimited'. This was an entity without origin, it's lack of a limit lead Anaximader to believe it was a thing unborn and immortal. This is a strange and wonderful new idea for the Greeks. 

He also brought forth many ideas in the realm of astronomy;

1. The celestial bodies pass under the earth in full circles.
2. The Earth floats free and unsupported
3. The celestial bodies lie behind one another.

While these ideas are something that one may teach a child, it is all thanks to Anaximander that we even have such a broad view. In his time it was revolutionary. The focus shifts to a cosmological view, an impression that the universe (not just the Earth) is an unbound and impersonal cause. This idea stays in philosophy for generations, spoiler alert, and even is analogous to current Buddhist belief, (see: my previous post).

Anaximader's 'boundless' is revolutionary in that it postulates something outside, something always greater out there, limitless, immortal, and completely unsupported. Not only is it all of these combined, but it also supports everything in turn. This principle reminds me of simultaneously current (quantum) physics and the Christian 'God'.

Anaximander was also the first one to create a sort of map of the world, heavily simplified. You can see that below, bonus points if you can guess what city is closest to the center.

Thoughts:

Is the 'arche', in your mind, immortal? Boundless?

Would you consider Anaximander a founding Metaphysician?

Thales of Miletus, First Scientist/Philosopher

Μέγιστον τόπος· ἅπαντα γὰρ χωρεῖ 

 "Place is the greatest thing, as it contains all things."

-Thales of Miletus 

 

Thales is a great place to start when discussing philosophy in general, for many reasons. He was inquisitive, intelligent, and purposeful and overall Thales is an amazing historical figure. He studied politics, engineering, astronomy, and delved into the very nature (physis) of the phenomenal world. He measured the height of the pyramids in Egypt. He was even the first to describe the world and it's phenomena in purely cosmological terms instead of the commonplace explanation, Gods and Goddesses. 

Aristotle called Thales the first philosopher and the founder of natural philosophy (Metaph. 983 621-622). This may be due to Aristotle's attempt to draw this philosophical lineage to himself. Thales was in search of the archê, the originating principle, which after through investigation he declared to be water. While in current terms this may not seem like much, Thales is marked as the creator of the scientific method and a foundation of our philosophical tradition. 

It is not all glamorous, Thales also reportedly realized the idea of the immortal soul, if you can believe Diogenes the Cynic. Thales also has some amazing quotes attributed to him;

"The past is certain, the future obscure."

"A multitude of words is no proof of a prudent mind."

Points of Thought:

• Is there, in fact, an archê? What is it? Where can you find it?
• Do you agree with this phrase? "What is the divine? That which had no origin and no end."