In the 7th century B.C., Greek civilization appeared to thrive through trade and exploration, making it easy for new, more complex ideas to be pondered. The more that was recognized and revealed prompted a boom in critical thinking and the overall thought process of many citizens throughout the city-states. Philosophy not only changed the outlook of many things in the world but placed the stepping stones for the overview of modern thought. Arguably the most important alteration caused by philosophy was its promotion of individuality in the arts. Many outstanding literary works have derived from its roots. It also held a richness in heroic legend. Ultimately, it contemplated the overall umbrella topic of human emotions, prosperity, and how it will impact the world’s future and logic. With the major increase in expansion during this period, gateways to new influences arose, speeding up the developmental process of philosophical belief and thought. Society’s mind was aware of this when questioning foreign ideas from abroad.
All towns and civilizations had separate practices, thinking patterns, and somewhat similar detailed thoughts regarding vitality, the beginning of the world, and much more. When philosophy began its long and complex journey throughout the Greek world, society was placed in a few generalized categories. This included those who neglected to question the aspects of life spotlighted in philosophy, those whose thoughts were influenced by others, and those prompting or initializing new, daring opinions. It began to encourage the evolution of Greek society through constructive thought regarding the physical world, the placement of mythological figures within it according to their purpose and true origins, and the relationship between realistic and hopeful outlooks. The origins and overall progression of the world and the system of governance placed on the Greek culture through politics and other affairs led to the widespread of untraditional doctrines deriving not from logos, but rather myth and personal belief.
The discovery of alternative thinking helped to push Archaic Greece to question many aspects of their life, playing a significant role in the Classical period. One of the most common thoughts of the period was the idea that the world originated from a much simpler idea and grew over time. It was also believed that there are immortal senses or causes of energy, directing and changing the universe. Many thought this could be proved through everyday occurrences. Prominent philosophers grew fond of studying the mystical natural process of the many celestial bodies, specifically the numerous phases of the moon and how it impacted the world and everything in it. The alterations in weather were also studied. Perhaps the most important of all topics was the afterlife. Reincarnation was a common thought, opening the door to infinite beliefs.
Even mathematics was discussed in a philosophical nature. Pythagorean thinkers believed and founded the idea that simple mathematic ratios and pairings helped to support traditional music chords and harmonies, connecting real-life situations and things to self-constructing thoughts and beliefs. This brought light to the thought of how important both aspects were to the universe. It’s important to note that the philosophical mind didn’t wander aimlessly. Philosophers realized and gained awareness that they were seeking answers to questions that couldn’t be logically answered, and which lay beyond human knowledge and mental capacity. Astronomy’s early beginnings in the Greek world intertwined and held major connections to philosophy. Its surrealness finally started to be pondered and examined. Two major discoveries occurred through the hands of philosophy regarding the universe. Around 500 B.C., it was determined that the moon shines through a specific variation of reflected light. 400 B.C. provided the idea that the world was spherical, decided through Pythagorean theories and simple geometry. The circle was believed to be the most perfect of geometric shapes and was the “ideal” embodiment of an object. It was later determined that the cosmos were also spherical and that the circular rotation was primarily positive. Also, another discovery made by the brilliant thinkers of the time was that the Earth stood at the center of celestial bodies, such as the sun and other planets, as they moved around it.
An extremely well-known philosopher and thinker, Plato, believed the world held four major elements. These were air, fire, water, and earth. These were divided and determined by the primordial chaos of the universe by the divine means of the creator god. Aristotle later added aether to the list. This led to the belief that these elements assisted in the creation and formation of the sun and stars. Some opposed this theory, including Epicurus, believing that the universe wasn’t limited to only four elements, rather it held more complex and diverse substances called atoms. He also stated that the cosmos weren’t spherical but rather infinite, containing a large amount and number of infinite worlds.
The complex mentality and independence of these individuals resulted in astonishing beliefs and thoughts, changing the world forever. Theology, astronomy, and much more held the key to the philosopher’s locked minds, liberating individuality and unique thought.
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