Scientist Thales. Thales - The first Greek and Western philosopher and scientist

Thales of Miletus

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Biography of Thales of Miletus

Thales (640/624 - 548/545 BC) - an ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician from Miletus (Asia Minor). Representative of Ionic natural philosophy and founder of the Milesian (Ionian) school, from which the history of European science begins. A geometric theorem is named after Thales.

The name of Thales already in the 5th century. BC e. became a household word for a sage. Thales is called the "father of philosophy" already in his time.

It is only known for certain that Thales was of a noble family, and received in his homeland a good education. The actual Milesian origin of Thales is questioned; they report that his family had Phoenician roots, and that he was a stranger in Miletus (this is indicated, for example, by Herodotus).

Thales is reported to have been a merchant and traveled widely. For some time he lived in Egypt, in Thebes and Memphis, where he studied with the priests, studied the causes of floods, and demonstrated a method for measuring the height of the pyramids. It is believed that it was he who “brought” geometry from Egypt and introduced the Greeks to it. His activities attracted followers and students who formed the Milesian (Ionian) school, of which Anaximander and Anaximenes are best known today.

Tradition depicts Thales not only as a philosopher and scientist proper, but also as a “subtle diplomat and wise politician”; Thales tried to rally the cities of Ionia into a defensive alliance against Persia. Thales is reported to have been a close friend of the Milesian tyrant Thrasybulus; was associated with the temple of Apollo Didyma, the patron saint of maritime colonization.

Some sources claim that Thales lived alone and shunned the affairs of state; others - that he was married, had a son Kibist; the third - that while remaining a bachelor, he adopted his sister's son.

Regarding the life of Thales, there are several versions. The most consistent tradition states that he was born between the 39th and 35th Olympiads, and died in the 58th at the age of 78 or 76, that is, approx. from 624 to 548 BC e .. Some sources report that Thales was already known in the 7th Olympiad (752-749 BC); but in general, the life of Thales is reduced to the period from 640-624 to 548-545 BC. this is. Thales could die at the age of 76 to 95 years. It is reported that Thales died while watching gymnastic competitions, from the heat and, most likely, crush. It is believed that there is one exact date associated with his life - 585 BC. e., when there was a solar eclipse in Miletus, which he predicted (according to modern calculations, the eclipse occurred on May 28, 585 BC, during the war between Lydia and Media).

Information about specific events in the life of Thales is scarce and contradictory, and has an anecdotal character.

According to reports, being a military engineer in the service of King Lydia Croesus (or during one of his travels), Thales, in order to facilitate the crossing of the troops, let the Halys River along a new channel. Not far from the city of Mitel, he designed a dam and a drainage canal and himself supervised their construction. This construction significantly lowered the water level in Galis and made it possible for the troops to cross.

In Miletus, in one of the harbors, Thales installed a rangefinder - a device that made it possible to determine the distance from the coast to a ship far out to sea. Their business qualities Thales proved by seizing a monopoly on the olive oil trade; however, in the activity of Thales, this fact has an episodic and, most likely, "didactic" character.

The above prediction solar eclipse 585 BC e. - apparently the only indisputable fact from the scientific activity of Thales of Miletus; in any case, it is reported that just after this event, Thales became famous and famous.

Even less is known about the political activity of Thales than about social and scientific. It is reported that Thales was a supporter of some unification of the Ionian policies (like a confederation, centered on the island of Chios), as a counter to the threat from Lydia, and later Persia. Moreover, Thales, in assessing external dangers, apparently considered the threat from Persia a greater evil than from Lydia; the mentioned episode with the construction of the dam took place during the war of Croesus (King of Lydia) with the Persians. At the same time, Thales opposed the conclusion of an alliance between the Milesians and Croesus, which saved the city after the victory of Cyrus (king of Persia).

Thales was a merchant. He made good money, skillfully trading in olive oil. He traveled a lot: visited Egypt, Central Asia, Chaldea. Everywhere he studied the experience accumulated by priests, artisans and sailors; met with the Egyptian and Babylonian schools of mathematics and astronomy.

Returning to his homeland, Thales moved away from trade and devoted his life to science, surrounding himself with students - this is how the Milesian Ionian school was formed, from which many famous Greek scientists came out. This is Anaximander, who first spoke about the infinity of the universe, who compiled the first geographical map using a rectangular trapezoid; this is Anaximenes, who put forward a hypothesis explaining the eclipses of the Sun and the Moon.

The scientific activity of Thales was closely connected with practice. During one of his travels, he served with the Lydian king Croesus as a specialist in military equipment. He advised sailors to navigate, as the Phoenicians did, along Ursa Minor, noting that the North Star is at the same angle above the horizon.

Supervising the construction of temples, he proved that an angle inscribed in a semicircle will always be right and that it cannot be otherwise.

The ancient Greek historian Herodotus (5th century BC) said that during the battle on Galis, “the day turned into night” and that Thales predicted a solar eclipse to the Lydians in that particular year. (Remember how historians set the time of the battle between the Russian prince Igor and the Polovtsy.) This event helped historians to establish quite accurately the time of Thales's life. As we now know, the eclipse occurred in 585 BC. e. This means that Thales was born around the middle of the 6th century BC.

He is also credited with such astronomical discoveries as explaining the cause of solar eclipses, establishing the time of solstices and equinoxes, determining the length of the year at 365 days, and a number of others.

Thales was the first to refuse to consider the heavenly bodies as a divine creation and argued that they are natural bodies of nature, that everything in the world consists of the primary substance, which he considered water. “Water is the original element, its sediment is earth, its vapors are air and fire,” Thales believed. Thus, he was the founder of the Greek elemental materialistic philosophy.

Thales is also known as a geometer. Conventionally, he is credited with the discovery and proof of a number of theorems: on dividing a circle with a diameter in half, on the equality of angles at the base of an isosceles triangle, on the equality of vertical angles, one of the signs of equality of rectangles, and others.

Merits

Astronomy

ü It is believed that Thales was the first (of the ancient scientists known today) to study the movement of the Sun in the celestial sphere. He discovered the inclination of the ecliptic to the equator, establishing that "the zodiac is superimposed obliquely on the three middle circles, touching all three." Learned how to calculate the times of the solstices and equinoxes main four of eighteen astronomically and calendar significant events), established the unequal intervals between them.

Thales was the first to define angular size Moon and Sun; he found that the size of the Sun is 1/720 of its circular path, and the size of the Moon is the same part of the lunar path.

ü Thales was the first to claim that the Moon shines by reflected light; that eclipses of the Sun occur when the Moon passes between it and the Earth; and lunar eclipses occur when the moon is in the shadow of the earth.

ü Thales introduced a calendar, following the Egyptian model (in which the year consisted of 365 days, divided into 12 months of 30 days, and five days remained falling out).

ü It is believed that Thales "discovered" the constellation Ursa Minor for the Greeks as a guiding tool; he advised sailors to navigate, as the Phoenicians did, along Ursa Minor, noting that the North Star is always at the same angle above the horizon.

ü It is believed that Thales was the first to break the celestial sphere into five zones: the Arctic always visible belt, the summer tropic, the celestial equator, the winter tropic, the Antarctic invisible belt. (The same, however, is also stated about Oenopides and Pythagoras; according to Iamblichus, “Thales persuaded Pythagoras to sail to Egypt and get in touch with the priests, especially with the priests of Memphis and Diospolis, since, they say, he himself got of them that gives him a reputation as a sage").

Thales is said to have "invented the globe". It can be argued that Thales (starting with the geometric study of angles) created a "mathematical method" in the study of the motion of celestial bodies.

Geometry

Thales is credited with being the first to prove several geometric theorems, namely:

the vertical angles are equal;

ü triangles with equal one side and equal angles adjacent to it are equal;

ü the angles at the base of an isosceles triangle are equal;

the diameter divides the circle in half;

An angle inscribed in a semicircle will always be a right angle.

Thales was the first to inscribe a right triangle in a circle. Found a way to determine the distance from the coast to visible ship, for which he used the similarity property of triangles. In Egypt, he “amazed” the priests and Pharaoh Amasis by being able to accurately determine the height of the Cheops pyramid. He waited for the moment when the length of the stick's shadow became equal to its height, and then he measured the length of the pyramid's shadow.

Cosmogony

Thales believed that everything (is born) from water; everything arises from water and turns into it. The beginning of the elements, of things that exist, is water; the beginning and end of the universe is water. Everything is formed from water by its solidification, freezing, and also evaporation; When it condenses, water becomes earth; when it evaporates, it becomes air. The reason for the formation / movement is the spirit "nesting" in the water.

Important notes from various commentators:

1) Thales distinguishes water from the four main elements as the “main”;

2) Thales considers fusion to be a mixture of elements, leading to a qualitative change, “for the connection, hardening and formation of inner world (bodies)”;

3) even if Thales says that everything consists of water, he nevertheless implies the interconversion of elements;

4) Thales considers one (single) driving principle to be “final”.

According to the remark of Heraclitus-Allegorist: “Wet substance, easily transforming (prop.“ Clinging ”) into all kinds of (bodies), takes on a motley variety of forms. The evaporating part of it turns into air, and the finest air ignites in the form of ether. As it precipitates and turns into silt, water turns into earth. Therefore, of the four elements, Thales declared water to be the most causal element.

According to Plutarch: “The Egyptians say that the Sun and Moon go around (the sky) not in chariots, but in ships, hinting at their birth from moisture and nourishment by moisture. They think that Homer also considers water to be the beginning and “parent” of all things, having learned like Thales from the Egyptians.

Cosmology

Thales believed that the Cosmos is one (one). Water and everything that came from it are not dead, but animated; The cosmos is animated and full of divine powers. The soul, as an active force and a bearer of rationality, participates in the divine (order of things). Nature, both living and non-living, has a driving principle.

An important remark that occurs among various commentators: Thales (following Homer) represents the soul in the form of a subtle (ethereal) substance. According to Plutarch’s remark: “After him, Anacharsis remarked: “Thales perfectly believes that in all the most important and greatest parts of the cosmos there is a soul, and therefore one should not be surprised that the most beautiful things are done by the Providence of God.”

Physics

Thales is credited with the following provisions:

1. The earth floats in water (like a piece of wood, a ship, or some other (body), which by nature tends to float in water); earthquakes, whirlwinds and the movements of the stars are due to the fact that everything sways on the waves due to the mobility of water;

2. The earth floats in water, and the Sun and other celestial bodies feed on the vapors of this water;

3. The stars are made of earth, but they are red-hot; The sun is of an earthy composition (consists of the earth); The moon is of an earthy composition (consists of the earth).

4. The earth is at the center of the universe; When the Earth is destroyed, the whole world will collapse.

5. Life presupposes nutrition and breathing, in which functions water and the “divine principle”, the soul, act.

That is, Thales claims that the Earth, as land, as a body itself, is physically supported by a certain “support” that has the properties of water (non-abstract, that is, concrete fluidity, instability, etc.).

The position is an almost literal indication of the physical nature of the stars, the Sun and the Moon - they are composed of (the same) matter (like the Earth), (not of the actual same material , as Aristotle understands it denotatively); while the temperature is very high.

By position, Thales claims that the Earth is the center around which the circulation of celestial phenomena takes place, and so on. Thales is the founder geocentric system peace.

Thales' theorem

Let's prove Thales theorem: if on one of the two straight lines several equal segments are sequentially laid aside and through their ends parallel lines are drawn that intersect the second straight line, then they will cut off segments equal to each other on the second straight line.

Solution:

Let equal segments A 1 A 2, A 2 A 3, A 3 A 4, ... be laid on the line l 1, and parallel lines are drawn through their ends that intersect the line l 2 at points B 1, B 2, B 3, B 4 , …(Fig. 1). It is required to prove that the segments В 1 В 2 , В 2 В 3 , В 3 В 4 , … are equal to each other. Let us prove, for example, that B 1 B 2 = B 2 B 3 .

Let us first consider the case when the lines l 1 and l 2 are parallel (Fig. 1, a). Then A 1 A 2 \u003d B 1 B 2 and A 2 A 3 \u003d B 2 B 3 as opposite sides parallelograms A 1 B 1 B 2 A 2 and A 2 B 2 B 3 A 3. Since A 1 A 2 \u003d A 2 A 3, then B 1 B 2 \u003d B 2 B 3. If the lines l 1 and l 2 are not parallel, then through the point B 1 we draw a line l parallel to the line l 1 (Fig. 1, b). It will intersect the lines A 2 B 2 and A 3 B 3 at some points C and D. Since A 1 A 2 = A 2 A 3, then by the proven B 1 C=CD. From here we get B 1 B 2 \u003d B 2 B 3. Similarly, it can be proved that B 2 B 3 \u003d B 3 B 4, etc.

Comment. In the condition of the Thales theorem, instead of the sides of the angle, you can take any two lines, while the conclusion of the theorem will be the same: parallel lines intersecting two given lines and cutting off equal segments on one line cut off equal segments on the other line.

Sometimes Thales' theorem will be applied in this form as well.

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Thales (c. 640 - c. 546) is an ancient Greek philosopher who invariably topped the list of "seven wise men". He is considered the father of ancient philosophy, the Milesian (Ionian) school he created became a starting point for the history of European science. Aristotle begins with Thales the history of metaphysics, Eudemus - the history of astronomy and geometry.

short biography

There is practically no historical data on the life of Thales. There are only a number of scattered and sometimes contradictory references in the writings of later ancient authors. The only exact date that can be attributed to the life of the Greek philosopher is the date of the eclipse that he predicted - 585 BC. e. Everything else, including dates of birth and death, is very approximate.

It is known that Thales came from a noble family, had a good education. Lived in Miletus*. According to some sources, he was a Phoenician or had Phoenician roots. As a merchant, he traveled a lot. Living in Thebes in Egypt, Memphis, he talked a lot with the priests, learning their wisdom. It is generally accepted that in Egypt he learned geometric knowledge, which he then introduced to his compatriots. Upon returning to his homeland, he created the philosophical Miletus school, the most famous followers of which are Anaximenes and Anaximander.

In antiquity, works in prose were attributed to him: "On the Beginnings", "On the Solstice", "On the Equinox", "Marine Astrology". These names themselves speak of Thales as a scientist and philosopher who was looking for the physical beginning of the universe. Unfortunately, only their names have come down to us from these works.

* Miletus is an ancient Greek city in Caria on the western coast of Asia Minor, located south of the mouth of the Meander River.

Here are some facts from the life of Thales:

Thales took an active part in politics, advising the Ionian policies to unite against external enemies: first against Lydia, and then against Persia. But the advice of the Milesian philosopher was not heeded.

During the struggle of Lydia with Persia, Thales understood that Persia was dangerous for the Greeks to the Lydians and therefore assisted the latter. Being a military engineer in the service of King Lydia Croesus, Thales, in order to facilitate the crossing of the troops, launched the Galis River into a new channel. Not far from the city of Mitel, he designed a dam and a drainage canal and himself supervised their construction. This construction significantly lowered the water level in Galis and made it possible for the troops to cross. This episode took place during the war of Croesus (King of Lydia) with the Persians.

Information has been preserved that Thales was friends with Thrasybulus, the Milesian tyrant, had something to do with the temple of Apollo Didyma.

Illustrative stories associated with the name of Thales:

One day, a mule loaded with salt, while fording a river, suddenly slipped. The contents of the bales dissolved, and the animal, having risen lightly, realized what was the matter, and since then, when crossing, the mule deliberately dipped the bags into the water, leaning in both directions. Having heard about this, Thales ordered to fill the bags instead of salt with wool and sponges. The mule loaded with them tried to do the old trick, but achieved the opposite result: the load became much heavier. It is said that henceforth he crossed the river so carefully that he never soaked the load even by accident.

When Thales, because of his poverty, was reproached for the futility of philosophy, having made a conclusion from the observation of the stars about the coming harvest of olives, even in the winter he hired all the oil presses in Miletus and Chios. He hired them for nothing (because no one gave more), and when it turned out that there were a lot of olives, the demand for oil presses immediately increased and Thales began to rent them out at high prices. By raising a lot of money in this way, he showed that philosophers can easily get rich if they want to, but that is not something they care about. Aristotle, from whose records this fact has come down to us, emphasizes that Thales predicted the harvest “by observing the stars”, that is, thanks to knowledge.

Thales as a scientist

It is believed that Thales "discovered" the constellation Ursa Minor for the Greeks as a guiding tool; earlier this constellation was used by the Phoenicians.

It is believed that Thales was the first to discover the inclination of the ecliptic to the equator and made five circles in the celestial sphere: the Arctic circle, the summer tropic, the celestial equator, the winter tropic, the Antarctic circle. He learned to calculate the time of the solstices and equinoxes, established the unequal intervals between them.

Thales was the first to point out that the Moon shines by reflected light; that eclipses of the Sun occur when it is covered by the Moon.

Thales was the first to determine the angular size of the Moon and the Sun; he found that the size of the Sun is 1/720 of its circular path, and the size of the Moon is the same part of the lunar path. It can be argued that Thales created a "mathematical method" in the study of the motion of celestial bodies.

Thales introduced a calendar according to the Egyptian model (in which the year consisted of 365 days, divided into 12 months of 30 days, and five days remained falling out).

A geometric theorem is named after Thales.

It is believed that Thales was the first to formulate and prove several geometric theorems, namely:

vertical angles are equal;

there is an equality of triangles on one side and two angles adjacent to it;

the angles at the base of an isosceles triangle are equal;

the diameter divides the circle into two equal parts;

An inscribed angle based on a diameter is a right angle.

Thales learned to determine the distance from the coast to the ship, for which he used the similarity of triangles. This method is based on a theorem later called the Thales theorem: if parallel lines intersecting the sides of an angle cut off equal segments on one side of it, then they cut off equal segments on its other side.

The legend tells that Thales, while in Egypt, struck Pharaoh Amasis by being able to accurately determine the height of the pyramid, waiting for the moment when the length of the shadow of the stick becomes equal to its height, and then measured the length of the shadow of the pyramid.

Philosophy of Thales

Thales believed that everything arises from water and turns into it. The beginning of the elements, of things that exist, is water; the beginning and end of the universe is water. Everything is formed from water by its solidification / freezing, as well as evaporation; When it condenses, water becomes earth; when it evaporates, it becomes air. The reason for the formation / movement is the spirit “nesting” in the water.

Thales is credited with the following statements:

1. The earth floats in water (like a piece of wood, a ship, or some other [body] that naturally floats in water); earthquakes, whirlwinds and the movements of the stars are due to the fact that everything sways on the waves due to the mobility of water.

2. The earth floats in water, and the Sun and other celestial bodies feed on the vapors of this water.

3. The stars are made of earth, but at the same time they are red-hot; The sun is of an earthy composition [consists of earth]; The moon is of earthy composition [consists of earth].

4. The earth is at the center of the universe; When the Earth is destroyed, the whole world will collapse.

5. Life involves nutrition and breathing, in which functions are water and the divine principle - the soul.

Milesian school

Thales founded the Miletus school - the first ancient Greek scientific and philosophical school, which was located in the city of Miletus, an ancient Greek colony in Asia Minor in the first half of the 6th century. BC e. The representatives of this school were Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes - no other names have survived, perhaps they did not exist. Sometimes the Milesian school is included in the "Ionian philosophy". The Ionian philosophers included the students of Thales and the students of his students: Anaximenes, Anaximander, Anaxagoras, Archelaus.

An ancient Greek thinker, the founder of ancient philosophy and science, the founder of the Milesian school, one of the first recorded philosophical schools. He raised all the diversity of things to a single element - water.

European philosophy originates in Ancient Greece from where the very word "philosophy" ("love of wisdom") came from.

The first philosophical systems arose in the VI-V centuries BC. e on the western coast of Asia Minor, in the Ionian cities founded by the Greeks and ahead of Greece in cultural development. The largest of all Asia Minor Greek cities was Miletus.

Very little is known about the first ancient Greek philosophers. It is customary to start a story about philosophy with a mention of the seven Greek sages and the first of them - Thales of Miletus.

There are several versions regarding the life of Thales of Miletus.

It is believed that there is one exact date associated with his life - 585, when there was a solar eclipse in Miletus and when Thales predicted it.

Little is known about the origin of the thinker. According to Diogenes Laertius: "Thales was the son of Examius and Cleobulina from the Felid family, and this family is Phoenician, the most noble, neighbors of the descendants of Cadmus and Agenor." Trying to understand the world, Thales was primarily interested in what happens between heaven and earth.

Thales and the first Ionian scientists sought to establish what matter the world consists of.

According to Thales, nature, both living and inanimate, has a driving principle, which is called by such names as soul and God.

Thales considers water to be the original element from which the earth arose, which is, as it were, a sediment of this original element, as well as air and fire.

If water is the fundamental principle, then the Earth should rest on water. According to Thales, the Earth floats in the freshwater Ocean like a ship.

Thales tried to formulate the basic laws of the universe, but his contemporaries best remembered his moral teachings.

The following legend was also transmitted about Thales in antiquity (Aristotle repeated it with great pleasure): “They say that when Thales, because of his poverty, was reproached for the futility of philosophy, he, having realized by observing the stars about the future, a rich harvest of olives, even in winter - fortunately he had some money - he gave them as a deposit for all the oil presses in Miletus and Chios. He hired them for a pittance, since no one gave more, and when the time came and the demand for them suddenly increased, he began to rent them out on at his own discretion and, having collected a lot of money, he showed that philosophers can easily get rich if they wish, but only this is not what they care about. This is how, they say, Thales showed his wisdom.

Aristotle emphasizes: Thales predicted the harvest "by observing the stars", that is, thanks to knowledge.

Often the beginning of the development of astronomy and geometry is associated with the name of Thales. According to Apuleius: "Thales of Miletus, undoubtedly the most outstanding of those famous seven sages (after all, he was the first discoverer of geometry among the Greeks, and the most accurate tester of nature, and the most experienced observer shined)".

It is not known about the works of Thales whether he wrote them at all. It is most likely that he created "Naval Astronomy" (in verse, like all early thinkers). In addition to her, two more of his astronomical treatises (on the equinox, on the solstice) The end of the life of Thales fell on the reign of Croesus, king of Lydia, who subjugated Ionia.

The date of the death of the first philosopher is unknown. Diogenes Laertes writes: “Thales died, looking at gymnastic competitions, from heat, thirst and senile weakness. On his tomb it is written: This tomb is small, but the glory over it is immense: In it, the wise Thales is hidden before you.

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Thales of Miletus

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Anufrieva E.Yu.

Biography

Thales lived at the very end of the 7th-first half of the 6th century. BC e. He was the first mathematician and physicist, as well as a philosopher in Ionia (Miletus - Asia Minor). In Miletus, he was recorded among the citizens when he appeared there with Neleus, who was expelled from Phoenicia. However, the majority claims that he was a native of Miletus, and, moreover, from a noble family.

Moving away from public affairs, he turned to the speculation of nature. According to one opinion, not a single work has remained of him, for the “Naval Astronomy” attributed to him belongs, they say, to Phocus of Samos. (And he was known to Callimachus as the discoverer of Ursa Minor, as can be seen from such verses in Yambas: In a heavenly chariot, he discovered the stars, By which the Phoenicians rule the way to the sea.).

According to another opinion, he wrote only two books: "On the Solstice" and "On the Equinox", considering the rest incomprehensible.

Some believe that he was the first to engage in astronomy, predicting eclipses and solstices (as Evdem claims in the History of Astronomy, and Xenophanes and Herodotus admire him for this; Heraclitus and Democritus testify to the same). Some also claim that he was the first to declare the soul immortal (including the poet Kheril). He first found the path of the sun from solstice to solstice; he was the first (according to some) to declare that the size of the sun is one seven hundred and twentieth part [of the solar circular path, and the size of the moon is the same part] of the lunar path. He was the first to call the last day of the month "thirtieth." He was the first, as some say, began to talk about nature.

Aristotle and Hippias claim that he attributed the soul even to inanimate bodies, referring to the magnet and to amber. Pamphila says that he, having learned geometry from the Egyptians, was the first to inscribe a right-angled triangle in a circle, and for this he sacrificed a bull. However, others, including Apollodorus the Calculator, attribute this to Pythagoras; Pythagoras also put into use, for the most part, what Callimachus in the Iambas considers the discovery of Euphorbus of Phrygia, such as versatile figures, triangles, and everything related to the science of lines.

It can be thought that in state affairs he was the best adviser. So, when Croesus invited the Milesians to an alliance, Thales opposed this and thereby saved the city after the victory of Cyrus. However, in the narrative of Heraclides, he himself says that he lived in solitude as a simple citizen. Some believe that he was married and had a son Cybisthes, while others - that he remained unmarried, and adopted his sister's son; when asked why he does not have children, he replied: "Because I love them"; when his mother forced him to marry, he is said to have replied: "Too early!", and when she approached him as an adult, he replied: "Too late!" And Jerome of Rhodes (in Book II of "Scattered Notes") reports that, wanting to show that getting rich is not at all difficult, he once foresaw big harvest Oliver rented all the oil presses and made a lot of money.

He considered water to be the beginning of everything, and considered the world animated and full of deities. He is said to have discovered the length of the year and divided it into three hundred and sixty-five days.

He had no teachers, except for the fact that he traveled to Egypt and lived there with the priests. Jerome says that he measured the height of the pyramids by their shadow, waiting for the hour when our shadow is the same length as us. He also lived with Thrasybulus, the Milesian tyrant (according to Minius).

The following sayings are known:

1. Older than all things is God, for he is not born. The most beautiful thing is the world, for it is the creation of God. Most of all is space, for it embraces everything. The fastest is the mind, because it runs around everything. The strongest of all is inevitability, for it dominates everything. The wisest thing is time, for it reveals everything.

2. He said that there is no difference between life and death. "Why don't you die?" they asked him. "That's why," Thales said. When asked what came first, night or day, he replied: "Night is one day earlier." Someone asked him if it was possible to hide a bad deed from the gods. "Not even a bad thought!" Thales said.

3. An adulterer asked him: "Shouldn't I swear that I never fornicated?" Thales replied: "Adultery is no better than perjury."

4. He was asked what is difficult in the world? - "Know thyself". What is easy? - Advise others. What is the most enjoyable? -- "Luck". What is divine? “That which has neither beginning nor end.” What did he see that was unprecedented? - "Tyrant in old age." When is it easiest to bear adversity? - "When you see that the enemy is even worse." What is the best and fairest life? "When we don't do what we condemn in others." Who is happy? - "He who is healthy in body, receptive in soul and amenable to education."

5. He said that friends should be remembered in person and in absentia; that it is necessary not to be handsome in appearance, but to be good with a temper. "Do not grow rich in bad means," he said, "and let no rumors turn you away from those who trusted you." “How did you support your parents,” he said, “expect such support from children.” And the floods of the Nile, he said, are due to the trade winds blocking its flow with a counter pressure.

Key Ideas:

First - water:

The main idea of Thales was that water is the beginning of everything.

"Original", arche - very typical and at the same time unusual for ancient thought design. This is a kind of centaur concept. On the one hand, the Greeks seek and find the origin in something fairly definite, more or less concrete. And this certain at first is merged with some natural element. Aristotle, outlining the “opinions of the philosophers”, writes about Thales: “Thales of Miletus argued that the beginning of existing [things] is water ... Everything is from water, he says, and everything decomposes into water. He concludes [about this], firstly, from the fact that the beginning (arche) of all animals is sperm, and it is wet; so all [things] probably originate [their] from moisture. Secondly, from the fact that all plants feed on moisture and [from moisture] bear fruit, and those deprived of [it] dry up. Thirdly, from the fact that the very fire of the Sun and the stars is nourished by water vapor, as well as the cosmos itself. The essence of Thales' reasoning is that water is really interpreted as the fundamental principle (original principle).

The consideration of the beginning as a material, natural element is the natural course of human thought at the stage when it begins to soar to the heights of abstraction, but has not yet become truly abstract. That is why in the history of philosophy there have been and are ongoing disputes about the "water" of Thales. Some say: the choice of water as the first principle was inspired by the most concrete and real observations. Such, for example, is the judgment of Simplikius: “They believed (we are talking about Thales and his followers. - N.M.) that the beginning is water, and sensory perception led them to this.” Others (for example, Hegel) argue: "water", as Thales understands it, has an indirect relation to everything concrete. The very word "water" is used allegorically. But still the question remains, why does Thales choose water? Many historians of philosophy have tried to answer it:

1. Thales chooses water as the origin, primarily under the influence of mythology. The ocean is a very popular mythological principle.

2. Greece is a maritime country. Therefore, the Greeks did not need to prove the vital importance of water. Their life was closely connected with the sea. The sea element seemed to them something very extensive: they sailed out of one sea - they got into another ... What is there further, beyond the famous seas? The Greeks assumed that, most likely, the ocean was also a river.

3. The water element is vital and universally fruitful, life-giving. Aristotle, following other doxographers, cites the opinion of Thales about the importance of water in the life of all organisms, including humans. This opinion simultaneously appeals to common sense and to the first scientific (physical) observations. With the moistening or drying of the body, a change in its size is associated, i.e. increase or decrease.

Representation of the universe:

Thales believed that the existing universe (Cosmos) is one. The beginning of the elements, of things that exist, is water; the beginning and end of the universe is water. Everything is formed from water by its solidification or freezing, as well as evaporation; When it condenses, water becomes earth; when it evaporates, it becomes air. The reason for the movement is the spirit "nesting" in the water. Water and everything that came from it are not dead, but animated; The cosmos is animated and full of divine powers. The soul, as an active force and a bearer of rationality, participates in the divine order of things. Nature, both living and inanimate, has a moving principle (soul). Thales represents the soul in the form of a subtle ethereal substance (ether).

How does the theoretical differ from the practical?:

Thales knew a way to measure the height of the pyramids and the distances at sea. It seems that he was a geometer. He predicted a solar eclipse on May 26, 585, to the astonishment of his compatriots, and this gives the impression that he was an astronomer. However, the calculations that he made were made more technically than scientifically: he calculated and predicted phenomena, not being able to substantiate his calculations, not knowing the causes of the phenomena. Measurements were carried out in a similar way in Egypt, and in Babylon - astronomical predictions. It is possible that Thales brought his skills from there. He cannot be considered, however, the creator of the mathematical and astronomical sciences, since their origin dates back to later times. Thales possessed remarkable skills and abilities in these areas, but not scientific knowledge.

How is science different from skill? First, a separate successful observation and a separate true statement are not yet science. There were many such observations and statements before Thales. In order to become a science, they must be related to other observations and statements and ordered. Secondly, the general realization that things should be this way and not different does not create science. This awareness must be analyzed and expressed in the form of statements using concepts. Finally, it is not enough to know something, it is also necessary to substantiate or prove that this is exactly the case. Even before the appearance of the first mathematician, everyone who built a hut for himself from two identical sticks knew that they should be inclined in the same way, but this knowledge did not yet give him the opportunity to conceptually formulate theorems about isosceles triangles, and even more so, of course, did not make it possible to prove these theorems. Therefore, in order for the knowledge achieved to be recognized as scientific, it must be streamlined, analyzed and proven. Without this, even the most complex skills are not science. Summarizing, we can say that science requires not only skill, but also understanding.

Science is also different from skills. The goal of science is to arrive at truths that are interesting in themselves. As for skills, we are talking only about practically valuable truths. Skills and habits were developed for practical purposes and for these purposes were quite sufficient. And when they began to be interested in truths in themselves, then there appeared new goal and new way her insights inherent in science. Thales pursued mathematics and astronomy for practical purposes and in practical ways. But after that, according to legend, he tried to get the truth in a field where there could be no question of practical goals - in philosophy. If Thales was a scientist, he was a philosopher. And there is nothing surprising in the fact that the first science that came into being was philosophy: from the point of view of the generality of its subject, it had the least practical value, but was the most accessible theoretically.

This transition from practical skills to theoretical science occurred in Greece between the 7th and 6th centuries. Did Thales do it? Every time the Greek philosophers, looking for their predecessors, came to Thales, not finding anyone before him. So, in this case, it is quite plausible that his philosophical theory was the first scientific theory that appeared in Europe, and perhaps in the world.

Influence of Thales on other philosophers:

Thales saw examples and evidence of universal animation in the properties of a magnet and amber: since they are able to set bodies in motion, therefore, they have a soul. This idea of his was developed in the works of many philosophers. For its designation in philosophy, the term "hylozoism" is used.

Hylozoism is the doctrine of the universal animation of nature, the doctrine asserting that consciousness and all-sensitivity are inherent in matter.

Anaximander (610-546 BC) is a student of Thales. Thoughts, ideas of Anaximander logically follow from what was said by Thales, and overflow into what will be said already by his followers, for example, Anaximenes or Heraclitus. Anaximander believes that the beginning is air.

From his point of view, the fundamental principle (arche) of the world is apeiron - this is an eternal, infinite and unified material principle that is in continuous motion. Apeiron is a certain substance that does not have certain qualities and is the source of all concrete things and phenomena. It is a substance with neutral qualities. Things, objects arise due to the constant movement of the apeiron, during which various opposites stand out from it: cold and warm, dry and wet. Thanks to the perpetual motion of the apeiron and the formation of opposites, an endless cycle of worlds takes place in the Universe.

Anaximenes is a student of Anaximander. He believed that the fundamental principle (arche) of the world is "air". Everything comes from the air and returns to this primary matter. Air is eternal, infinite. By its nature, "air" is a kind of steam or dark cloud. As it condenses, the air first forms clouds, then water, and finally earth and stones, when rarefied, it turns into fire.

Heraclitus (544-480 BC) was born in the city of Ephesus, which, like Miletus, was on the western coast of Asia Minor. His main work was called On Nature. About 130 small fragments have survived from this book.

Heraclitus considered fire to be the fundamental principle (arche) of the world. The world occurred naturally: it was not created by any of the gods, but always was, is and will be. Everything that is in the world arises in connection with the changes of fire, passes from one state to another.

Thales Milesian universe the beginning

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Thales of Miletus short biography

As such, there is no biography of Thales, only single pieces of information that often contradict each other and are in the nature of legends. The only thing that historians can name is only exactly one date related to his life - 585 BC. e. This is the date of the solar eclipse, calculated by the philosopher. Approximately Thales was born in 640-624 BC. e., and died in 548-545 BC. e.

The Thinker came from a noble family and had an excellent education. Historians believe that its origin from Miletus is doubtful. There is evidence that he did not live in the city as a native. And the philosopher himself had Phoenician roots. By the nature of his activity, Thales was a merchant and made many travels in his life. At one time he lived in Thebes and Memphis (Egypt) and studied the wisdom of the priests. Upon returning home, the philosopher acquired his students and created the Miletus school. Among his students were Anaximander and Anaximenes.

Thales was a versatile person. At the king of Lydia, Croesus, he served not only as a philosopher, but also as a military engineer. The Thinker built a drainage canal and a dam, thanks to which the Gales River changed its direction. Some sources claim that the genius had a monopoly on the sale olive oil. He was elected a diplomat, who advocated the rallying of the Ionian policies at the time of danger.

The father of ancient philosophy died at gymnast competitions. Being in the lava of the viewer, on him Negative influence exerted the heat and the ensuing crush.

Thales of Miletus main ideas and achievements

Not a single work has survived to this day. It is believed that there were 2 of them: "On the solstice" and "On the equinoxes." Thales formulated the main problems of natural philosophy - the universal and the beginning. He believed that all things and phenomena that exist in the world, all have one basis: water. They are not divided into physical and mental, living and non-living.

The philosopher believed that the universe is a liquid-like mass. In its central part there is an air body shaped like a bowl. bowl surface open surface directed downward, and closed is a vault. Stars are divine beings that live in the sky.

The thinker wanted to find out what the world consists of. Thales represented the earth in the form of a ship floating on the ocean of life.

The scientist established the length of the year, and also determined the time of the solstices and equinoxes. He owns the explanation that the Sun moves in relation to the stars. It is the philosopher who is the pioneer in proving geometric theorems. He introduced such concepts into science as a proof and a geometric theorem. The thinker studied the figures that are formed in a rectangle inscribed in a circle along with the diagonals. Thales' theorem was named after him - an angle inscribed in a circle will always be right.

For the Greeks, he discovered the constellation Ursa Minor, which travelers later used as a guide.

Thales of Miletus interesting facts

The philosopher was very fond of solitude.
Thales' personal life is also a secret. Some believe that he had a wife and a son. Others argue that the philosopher did not start a family, but only adopted a nephew.
Introduced the Egyptian calendar. The year consisted of 12 months, each had 30 days.
In 1935, the crater on visible side The moon was named after the thinker.
Thales is considered the "inventor of the globe".
He was the first person to study the movement of the Sun in the celestial sphere and claimed that the Moon shines by reflected light.

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