[Note] The Philosopher Thales

The Pre-Socratic period of western philosophy had many notable members; Democritus, Pythagoras, Heraclitus and more. The first among them though, is believed to be named Thales.

This was first proposed by Aristotle, who believed so because he was the first to suggest a single material substratis of the universe.

While he left no writings behind, and like the other pre-socratic philosophers, little is known, we have some information, given by ancient historians.

Biography:
Descendant of noble blood in Miletus in Asia Minor. He was a practical statemen who advocated for the federalization of the Miletean cities. He never married to avoid children, but eventually adopted his nephew Sibiphus. He supposedly belonged to the 7 Sages. His life ended during the 58th Olympiad, potentially heatstroke, at 78 y/o.

Philosophy:
The pre-socratic era was full of Dogma, which Thales was noted for not falling into.
He paid a lot of attention to his surroundings, and the meaning and make-up of all things.
Thales is seen as beginning the pre-socraticw tradition of taking a element as important to the rest. He believed water to be most important since it's essential for life. He believed all things which are nutrient, warm or otherwise living are moist, and come from moisture.

He saw the world as a flat disc floating on a large body of water, earth quakes being the waves passing under.

He was a hylozoist, all things have souls. His greatest example was the magnet and its ability to move Iron.

Mathematics was his most prominent domain and where he made the greatest contributions. He had 5 important geometric theories that he is credited, which at the time were major.

He warned sailors to use Ursa minor rather than Ursa major for navigation. He calculated the height of the great Pyramids, and said to have calculated the solar eclipse during the decisive battle between Meeds and Lydians in 585BC, stopping the battle.

Thales was occasionally pressed because of his simple living. He chose to live with little money and was asked why he chose to do so, if he was so clever. He then was said to predict the specifics of the annual olive harvest, proving that if he wished, he could make significant money.

Though he has many great legends, its likely not all of them are true. A lot are impossible, and innacurate. At this time it was common to give the achievements of lesser known individuals to more notable and popular people.

He is still important, being the first western philosopher, and someone who pushed the envelope of philosophy and the world of that time.