Early Greek philosophy

Early Greek philosophy, emerging around the 6th century BCE, involved thinkers seeking natural explanations for the world rather than mythological ones. Philosophers like Thales and Heraclitus explored fundamental substances and change, while Pythagoras examined numbers and harmony. These thinkers laid the groundwork for rational inquiry, emphasizing observation, reasoning, and abstract thought to understand nature, existence, and reality. Their ideas marked the beginning of philosophy as a systematic pursuit of knowledge, influencing Western intellectual tradition by shifting focus from gods to reason and evidence.