The Beginnings of Philosophy (pt 1)

Question 1

When does Philosophy Begin?

Answer 1

1. May, 28th 585BC
2. When Thales predicted a solar eclipse
3. The age of pre-Socratic philosophy begins

Question 2

What overriding questions were the pre-Socratics attempting to answer?

Answer 2

1. Metaphysical questions
2. What provides unity in the midst of diversity
3. What is ultimate reality made of

Question 3

What was ultimate reality for Thales?

Why?

Answer 3

1. Water
2. Water exists in the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas
3. Water appears to have self-movement [hylozoistic–all matter has life]
4. Everything contains water

Question 4

Who is the father of western philosophy?

And why?

Answer 4

1. Thales of Miletus
2. He rejected Greek mythology and sought scientific answers to the nature of things

Question 5

What are the four categories of ultimate reality?

Answer 5

1. Corporeal monism [ultimate reality is physical and one]
2. Incorporeal monism [ultimate reality is nonphysical and one]
3. Corporeal pluralism [ultimate reality is physical and more than one]
4. Incorporeal pluralism [ultimate reality is nonphysical and more than one]