The *Two* Births of Philosophy

I need to write this up, but here’s my working hypothesis:

*Metaphysically*, philosophy was born with Thales and the Milesians. *Epistemologically*, it was born with Parmenides and the Eleatics.

The Milesian school began around 600 BCE on the coast of Asia minor. The Eleatic school began around 500 BCE about 1100 kilometers west in the southern Italian peninsula.

It’s a question of emphasis. But here’s my explanation for “Why Philosophy Begins with Thales.” The importance of the Eleatics is being reinforced and heightened for me by working through Arnold Hermann’s excellent To Think Like God.

4 thoughts on “The *Two* Births of Philosophy”

  1. Beatriz Rodriguez

    I know nothing about Thales, but am very grateful for your posts, your book about post modernism and will look into To Think Like God. Thank you

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