The Founders of Western Thought – The Presocratics: A diachronic parallelism between Presocratic Thought and Philosophy and the Natural Sciences

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There are two main points within this book: Firstly, to make the founding and evolution of Western thought accessible to the reflective man of our day, since the spirit of the Presocratics – although it is considered to constitute a true intellectual revolution - remains unknown to the broader community and secondly to shed greater light – probably for the first time - on the scientific dimension of the Presocratics’ work, and show its timeless value.

This book is a balanced interdisciplinary philosophic-scientific presentation of the evolution of Western thought through the presocratic tradition, where the synthesis of rationality and intuition – rather than their opposition - is the key to answering all questions of science, as we now understand the them. It is a book that investigates the
roots of Western science and philosophy, where probably for the first time a coherent interrelation is shown between presocratics’ thought and classical, as well as modern physical sciences.

It is addressed to the intelligent layperson as well as to the scientist of our time, who is interested in the emergence and evolution of Western thought – both scientific and philosophic. It will appeal to professionals and graduate students interested in general philosophy and philosophy of science.

Author(s): Constantine J. Vamvacas (auth.)
Series: Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science 257
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Year: 2009

Language: English
Pages: 293
Tags: History of Philosophy; History of Science; Popular Science, general; Philosophy of Science; History

Front Matter....Pages I-XVI
Introduction....Pages 1-2
The Juncture....Pages 3-18
Introduction to the Presocratics....Pages 19-27
Thales of Miletus (ca. 625–546 B.C.)....Pages 29-33
Anaximander of Miletus (ca. 610–546 B.C.)....Pages 35-43
Anaximenes of Miletus (ca. 585–525 B.C.)....Pages 45-51
Pythagoras of Samos (ca. 570–496 B.C.)....Pages 53-84
Xenophanes of Colophon (ca. 570–470, B.C.....Pages 85-99
Heraclitus of Ephesus (ca. 540–480 B.C.)....Pages 101-134
Parmenides of Elea (ca. 515–450 B.C.)....Pages 135-165
Empedocles of Acragas (ca. 494–434 B.C.)....Pages 167-196
Anaxagoras of Clazomenae (ca. 500–428 B.C.)....Pages 197-208
Democritus of Abdera (ca. 460–360 B.C.)....Pages 209-248
Epilogue....Pages 249-254
Back Matter....Pages 255-289