Question

1. Anaximander is usually included amongst the Milesians for some obvious reasons; he lived in Miletus, and he was in conversation with other Milesian figures such as Thales and Anaxemines. At the same time, he seems to stick out as unique amongst the Milesians, particularly with respect to the description of the Milesian school as characterized by “material monism.” Explain the appeal of both sides of this issue, why one might include and alternatively hesitate to include Anaximander amongst the material monists.

Answer 1

Anaximander was a pre aristotlian greek philosopher. He was included among the milesians but his ides were different. They were not based on supernatural powers. material monism is basically about mentioning an element which is the main source of all beings. Milesian figures like him said that water is the source of all beings, Anaximenes said it is the air but according to Anaximander it was Apeiron which means infinity which is beyond water air or fire. Which can not be counted. Though the elements are primeval but it was saturated from mind. Therefore, it can not be a part of material monism. Though for Aristotle he was a material monist but there were some reasons that confused everyone whether he was a material monist or not. His ideas were modern and it encouraged the science and physics to study further about cosmos. He also had great knowledge of geography. He at first introduced people to the world of practicality and he believed nature has it's laws like human society and if we break them nature will take it's revenge. The uncountable element is powerful and it creates living things and when those things destroy, they return back to the creator and their end happens there only.