PhilosophersThalès de Milet
Thalès de Milet
The principle of all things is water.
PresocraticsVIIe-VIe s. av. J.-C. GreeceFirst "natural philosopher" according to AristotleOne of the Seven SagesAstronomer and adviserKnown only through witnesses
Inspirations
Les prêtres d'Égyptehe would have learnt geometry there, according to Diogenes Laertius (eight centuries later)
Heirs
Anaximandreanother Milesian thinker, who looks for the principle elsewhere (the unlimited)
Anaximèneanother Milesian thinker, for whom the principle is air, according to Aristotle
Aristote the earliest to give him a doctrine and to call him "founder"
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