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Thales, a figure marking the beginning of philosophical thought in the West, lived in Miletus of Ionia from around 640, or 624 BC to 546 BC. Recognized as the oldest Pre-Socratic philosopher, the first of the Seven Sages of antiquity and founder of the Ionian School of natural philosophy.

Philosophical and Scientific Approach

Thales made a radical shift,  in the way of understanding the world, abandoning mythological interpretations in favour of a more scientific and rational mode of thinking. He attempted to explain natural phenomena, such as solar eclipses, based on physical processes, thus paving the way for scientific research and thought.

 Scientific Achievements

Thales discovered essential elements of the physical world and celestial phenomena, including solstices, the phases of the moon and the principles of electricity and magnetism. Geometry was another area of his interest, with his most famous contribution being the measurement of the height of the pyramids in Egypt using shadows.

Thales’ Theorem

One of Thales’ most significant achievements is the theorem named after him, which pertains to the proportions created, when parallel lines are intersected by other lines, thus deeply influencing the development of geometry.

Legacy and Impact

Thales, not only changed the way people viewed the natural world, but also laid the foundations for subsequent philosophers and scientists, who followed his path in seeking knowledge through reason, science and mathematics. His timeless impact on science, philosophy and education makes Thales one of the most significant figures in the history of human thought.