Thales and Pythagoras: Key Philosophical Concepts
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Questions and Answers

What was a significant shift in thought brought by Thales?

  • The belief that natural phenomena could be explained by supernatural forces.
  • Understanding that events could be predicted through rational observation and explanation. (correct)
  • The understanding that the Earth was a perfect sphere floating in space.
  • The idea that the universe was created by a single supreme being.

    • What did Thales propose as the fundamental substance from which everything in the universe originated?

  • Earth
  • Fire
  • Water (correct)
  • Air

    • Which of these statements reflects Thales' cosmological view?

  • The universe is expanding at an accelerating rate.
  • The Earth is a sphere that rotates around the Sun.
  • The Earth is a flat disc resting on water. (correct)
  • The universe is made up of countless stars and planets constantly circling the Earth.

    • What did Thales use to calculate the height of an Egyptian pyramid?

    <p>Trigonometry and a measurement of the pyramid's shadow. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of Thales' approach to understanding the world that influenced future scientific thought?

    <p>Observing, questioning, and seeking rational explanations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Thales's main contribution to scientific thought?

    <p>He introduced rational and scientific thought. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Thales's work impact later thinkers?

    <p>It inspired them to use deductive reasoning. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Pythagoras's central belief about the world?

    <p>The world is based on mathematical principles. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Pythagoras known for?

    <p>Discovering the Pythagorean theorem. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Pythagoras's work influence later philosophers?

    <p>He influenced Plato and Aristotle. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What natural phenomenon did Thales propose as the basic substance of all matter?

    <p>Water (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant contribution did Thales make to the field of philosophy?

    <p>He founded the Milesian School of philosophy. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these ideas did Thales reject in favor of empirical observation?

    <p>Religious and supernatural explanations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Thales contribute to geometric understanding?

    <p>He used geometry to calculate the height of Egyptian pyramids. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what century did Thales of Miletus live?

    <p>7th century BCE (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Thales the Milesian

    A pre-Socratic philosopher known for rational explanations of natural events.

    Natural Events

    Occurrences that can be observed and explained rationally, leading to predictions.

    Fundamental Substance

    Thales proposed that everything originated from a single substance, which he identified as water.

    Cosmological View of Earth

    Thales viewed Earth as a flat disc resting on water.

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    Mathematical Applications

    Thales used geometry to calculate the height of the Egyptian pyramid using shadows.

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    Thales of Miletus

    An ancient Greek astronomer and mathematician, regarded as the first philosopher who pursued natural explanations.

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    Milesian School

    A philosophical school founded by Thales that emphasized rational explanations for natural phenomena.

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    Basic Substance Theory

    Thales proposed that water is the fundamental substance from which all matter derives.

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    Floating Earth

    Thales suggested that the Earth is a disk floating on water, surrounded by it.

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    Empirical Science

    Thales is credited with founding empirical science by using observations to understand the world instead of myths.

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    Thales' Eclipse Prediction

    Thales predicted a total solar eclipse on March 28, 585 BCE using cyclical patterns of celestial bodies.

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    Saros Cycle

    An 18-year cycle that helps predict solar and lunar eclipses, recognized by Thales.

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    Pythagorean Belief

    Pythagoras believed the world is fundamentally mathematical and established a commune for research.

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    Pythagorean Theorems

    Pythagoras is credited with discovering 5 important geometric theorems.

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