The Origins of Western Thought: Philosophy in Ancient Greece

The Birth of Philosophy

The birth of philosophy, or the beginning of systematic knowledge, occurred in the sixth century BC in Greece, when mythological narratives gradually ceased to serve as the sole explanatory model.

Despite the fact that Greece was less developed, philosophers like Thales of Miletus decided to answer fundamental human questions based on observation and reasoning.

Speculation began in Greece, perhaps due to the sharing of political power, which necessitated greater communication and encouraged the emergence of new theories.

Key Figures in Early Philosophy

• The Sophists: With the emergence of philosophy, the first teachers, *The Sophists*, appeared. They considered themselves possessors of knowledge and their sole purpose was to train students for political defense.
• Socrates: Opposing them was Socrates, whose philosophy centered on acknowledging one's own ignorance to continue the search for knowledge, hence the famous phrase: “I know that I know nothing.”

Another transformation of enormous importance was the emergence of the democratic Greek *polis* and the subsequent appearance of writing, which had previously been unnecessary since legends were transmitted orally by those who knew them by heart.

This shift fostered a position of critical self-reflection (*autoextrañamiento*), allowing observers to step back and analyze critically.

The Transition from Mythos to Logos

The first thinkers who began to question the essence of things were the Pre-Socratics. We possess very few of their original writings, relying primarily on references provided by later authors.

The Pre-Socratics and the Element of Nature

The Pre-Socratics are considered the first natural philosophers, deeply interested in the fundamental nature of reality. When they asked, “What is the ultimate element of things?” they offered various responses based on observation.

For example, Thales of Miletus proposed that the ultimate element was water. This period marks the shift where mythological and religious concepts were replaced by natural and rational explanations.

Rational Knowledge vs. Mythological Explanations

Unlike magic or myth, rational knowledge allows for reciprocal explanation: a phenomenon 'X' can be explained by 'Y,' and 'Y' can likewise be reached from 'X.' This possibility of verifiable, reciprocal causality is absent in mythological explanations.