HoP 001 - Everything is Full of Gods - Thales
Audio Brief
Show transcript
This episode introduces "The History of Philosophy without any gaps" podcast, focusing on Thales of Miletus and the emergence of philosophy in Ionia.
There are three key takeaways from this inaugural discussion. First, Greek philosophy did not originate in a vacuum; it emerged in the multicultural Ionian colonies, likely influenced by older civilizations. Second, the birth of philosophy centered on *how* claims about the world were justified through reasoned argument, not just abandoning myth. Third, understanding ancient figures requires critically analyzing later authors' reports, as these testimonies are often biased.
The podcast commits to a comprehensive, chronological account of philosophy, including lesser-known thinkers, women philosophers, and non-European traditions. Philosophy’s roots are traced to Ionia, a wealthy, multicultural trading hub in the 6th century BC, rather than mainland Greece. This environment fostered intellectual exchange with civilizations like Egypt and Babylonia, setting the stage for figures like Thales.
Thales of Miletus is traditionally considered the first Greek philosopher. His unique contribution was a new emphasis on systematic, reasoned explanations for natural phenomena, moving beyond purely mythological narratives. While early philosophy still engaged with divine concepts, the innovation lay in providing arguments for these claims, such as his assertion that water is the fundamental substance from which all things originate.
Studying Presocratic thinkers like Thales is challenging because their original works are largely lost. Our understanding relies on scarce direct quotes, called fragments, and summaries or critiques from later authors like Aristotle. These "testimonies" must be interpreted carefully, as they are often shaped by the later author's own philosophical agenda, highlighting the need for critical analysis.
This episode underscores the complex origins and critical study required for understanding early philosophical thought.
Episode Overview
- This inaugural episode introduces the mission of "The History of Philosophy without any gaps" podcast: to provide a comprehensive, chronological account of philosophy, including both major and minor figures from global traditions.
- The discussion focuses on the first Greek philosopher, Thales of Miletus, and the historical context in which philosophy emerged in the wealthy, multicultural trading city of Ionia (modern-day Turkey).
- It examines the key philosophical and scientific ideas attributed to Thales, such as his cosmological principles about water and his belief that all things are ensouled or divine.
- The episode highlights the challenges of studying Presocratic thinkers, as our knowledge is primarily derived from fragmentary quotes and potentially biased reports by later authors like Aristotle.
Key Concepts
- The "Without Any Gaps" Approach: The podcast commits to covering the full story of philosophy, including lesser-known thinkers, women philosophers, non-European traditions (Islamic, Indian, African), and related scientific and literary disciplines.
- Thales of Miletus: Traditionally considered the first philosopher in the Greek tradition, active in the 6th century BC in the Ionian city of Miletus. He was known as a practical "wise man" involved in science, politics, and engineering.
- The Ionian Enlightenment: Philosophy first emerged not in mainland Greece but in the prosperous Greek colonies of Ionia. These cities served as hubs for trade and intellectual exchange with civilizations like Egypt and Babylonia.
- Sources for Presocratic Philosophy: Our understanding is based on two main types of evidence: "fragments" (scarce direct quotations) and "testimonies" (summaries or critiques from later authors like Plato and Aristotle), which require careful interpretation.
- Thales's Key Doctrines:
- Water as the Principle (Archē): The belief that water is the fundamental substance from which all things originate and that the earth itself floats on water.
- "All things are full of gods": A form of hylozoism or panpsychism, suggesting that the universe is alive and divinely animated. This idea is supported by his observation that magnets possess a soul because they can initiate motion.
- Mythos vs. Logos: The episode challenges the simple narrative of a clean break from irrational myth to rational philosophy. It argues that mythic poets like Hesiod also attempted systematic explanations, and early philosophers like Thales still engaged with divine concepts, but with a new emphasis on providing reasoned arguments for their claims.
Quotes
- At 00:38 - "In this series of podcasts, I'll be telling the whole history of philosophy without any gaps." - The host, Peter Adamson, states the foundational mission of the podcast, emphasizing its goal of providing a complete and continuous narrative of philosophical thought.
- At 14:06 - "Whatever he may or may not have written, this is one reason to say that Thales was the first philosopher: he was the first person to gain a reputation for the sort of independent analysis of nature we describe as scientific." - This quote defines what makes Thales a pivotal figure, marking a shift toward a new, analytical way of understanding the natural world that was distinct from purely mythological explanations.
- At 20:27 - "Aristotle tells us also that according to Thales, 'all things are full of gods'." - This famous and enigmatic statement, which gives the episode its title, captures how early philosophy intertwined scientific inquiry with concepts of the divine, suggesting a universe animated by a life-giving principle.
Takeaways
- Re-evaluate the origins of philosophy: Recognize that Greek philosophy did not appear in a vacuum in Athens. It began in the multicultural colonies of Ionia and likely benefited from intellectual cross-pollination with older civilizations in Egypt and Babylonia.
- The birth of philosophy was about "how," not just "what": The crucial innovation of the first philosophers was not necessarily abandoning divine or mythological concepts, but rather attempting to justify their claims about the world through observation and reasoned argument.
- Always consider the source: When studying ancient figures whose original works are lost, it is essential to critically analyze the reports of later authors. These "testimonies" are often colored by the reporter's own philosophical agenda, as seen in how Aristotle reinterpreted the Presocratics to fit his own theories.
