Pre-Socratics

The Pre-Socratics were early Greek philosophers active before Socrates, around the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. They sought to understand the natural world, focusing on identifying the fundamental substance or principle—such as water, air, or a basic element—that makes up everything. Their ideas laid the foundation for scientific inquiry and philosophical thought, moving away from mythological explanations. Notable thinkers include Thales, Anaximander, and Heraclitus, each proposing different ideas about the nature of reality and change, helping shape Western philosophy and science.