---
title: Philosophy before Socrates
description: Origin of philosophical thought in the West. The semblance of the
  Presocratic philosophers, their thought. The sophists.
author:
  name: Graciela Paula Caldeiro
  url: http://graciela-caldeiro.idoneos.com
canonical: https://philosophy.idoneos.com/the_philosophy_before_socrates/
source: the_philosophy_before_socrates/index.md
---

<h2 id="philosophy-before-socrates">Philosophy before Socrates</h2>

As always in history, there is a beginning. But this principle, although not arbitrary, is necessarily conventional. Thus, the history of Western philosophy is built before and after [Socrates](http://-socrates.idoneos.com).

If it is a question of delving into the background of Greek philosophy, there are several aspects to consider.

<h3 id="egyptian-and-babylonian-background">Egyptian and Babylonian background</h3>

Among the Greek philosophers it is possible to find an idea that suggests the eastern origin of Greek thinking, although in rigor, the sources in this regard come from a somewhat later moment corresponding to Neopitagoric and Neoplatonic periods. According to these aspects, [Tales](https://presocraticos.idoneos.com/298916), of Phoenician origin, would have traveled to Asia and learned with Egyptian priests. This theory is not yet unravelled and even some argue that it is not reasonable to speak of Eastern “science” since the developments achieved by these knowledge were of a technical nature. However, it cannot be overlooked that the Greek polis was a city open to all kinds of cultural infusions, with which the enrichment was predictable, as well as the possibility of its inhabitants accessing a relativistic view of its own culture leading to rational and critical thinking.

<h3 id="mythos-and-logos">Mythos and Logos</h3>

Both “mythos” and “logos” mean “word”, but while the first word refers to a symbolic naraction, the second assumes a rational discourse.

The [Greek religion](https://religionesarcaicas.idoneos.com/372938) undoubtedly marked the basis for advancing from mythological explanation to reason. **Hesiod** will point out that theogony (genesis of the gods), was previously preceded by a cosmogony (genesis of abstract elements). The world emerges through a separation between heaven and earth, and then love (Eros) appears as a conciliatory force. The first philosophers probably worked on this original state of indistinction that promoted cosmogony, a separation between pairs of opposites, a connection and a new mix. A comology that advances beyond anthropomóphic projection is thus intuited. Greek philosophy can then be understood as a continuity of religious weighing towards an abstract conception of the origins of the world.

Secondly, the Greek religion lacked a stable priesthood in such a way as to guarantee doctrinal orthodoxy. And finally, the incoherence of [Greek mythology](https://mitologiagrecorromana.idoneos.com) in general, as well as the fact that it was not of oblitagory belief (belief was less important than the practice of worship), paved the way for allegorical interpretation and the search for explanations of a rational nature.

<h2 id="socio-economic-conditions">Socio-economic conditions</h2>

The freedom of the citizen allowed **leisure**, an essential condition, according to [Aristotle](http://-aristotle.idoneos.com) for philosophy to be possible. It is not accidental, in this line, the little or no technical application that had all the knowledge developed by the ancient Greeks. Manual labor, attended by slaves, was despicable to the intellectual elite.

Another important factor for the development of philosophy was the introduction of currency in the 7th century, which by putting into play an objective system of reference, would propitiate fertile ground for abstract and speculative thinking.

<h2 id="the-first-philosophers">The first philosophers</h2>

Perhaps the most clear ancestor of the philosopher are the sages (sophpi) of the 7th and 6th centuries, whose earliest reference is probably found in [\[ref: Plato\]\]. In a context of great political, economic and social changes, reflection on indificual and society triumphs. \[Such of Miletus](https://presocraticos.idoneos.com/298916), one of the first philosophers, will be one of these wise men quoted in this sense:

_“ Many understood that “**laconize**” was much less about cultivating gymnastics than engaging in philosophy, realizing that saying words of this kind was the work of a perfectly formed man. Among these were Tales of Miletus, Pittaco of Mytilene, Bías of Priene, our Solon, Cleobulo of Lindos, Mison of Chenea and the seventh, Chillon of Ladedemonia”_ (Platon)

In the same vein, the lyrical poets who stood in the middle between fortune-tellers priests and philosophers can be mentioned.

<h2 id="the-presocratics">The Presocratics</h2>

**To deepen the topic:**

[Classification of Presocratic Philosophers](https://presocraticos.idoneos.com/333774)

[Presocratic philosophers](//philosophy.idoneos.com/280933)

<h2 id="the-sophists">The sophists</h2>

Sopistica was an intellectual movement that emerged in Greece during the 5th century BC and was of decisive importance in the transformation of Greek thought, which left the cosmological period to enter the anthropological one. This change determined that issues such as man, society and [education](http://-education.idoneos.com) prevailed.

With the sophists, the desire to convince and refute appears, and the philosopher will leave behind the meditations to become interested in discussions within society.

The sophists taught in exchange for remuneration, which was remarkably scandalous for the time. Plato will use the term “sophist” with a pejorative sense and Aristotle will accentuate the idea of sophistica as an apparent knowledge.

**To deepen the topic:**

[The sophists](//philosophy.idoneos.com/305265)