Vocabulary- Pre-Socratic Philosopers

Who proposed that water was the unifier of everything in the universe?

Thales of Miletus.

What did Anaximander propose as the unifier of everything, contrasting Thales' theory?

The Apeiron, or 'the infinite'.

What element did Anaximenes identify as the unifier of everything?

Air.

What was Pythagoras known for in addition to his contributions to mathematics?

He founded a religious community and had interests in science and politics.

What did Heraclitus mean by 'everything changes'?

His belief that the unifier of the universe is fire and that constant change is fundamental to existence.

What was the main theological belief of Xenophanes?

There is only one God, transcending all things.

How did Parmenides' view on being differ from that of Heraclitus?

Parmenides believed that everything is one and unchanging, while Heraclitus emphasized change.

What concept did Zeno of Elea argue against?

The belief in change and the validity of the senses.

What did Empedocles propose about the nature of reality?

He posited that all things are separate realities and identified four elements: earth, air, fire, and water.

What are the four types of causes defined by Aristotle?

Material cause, formal cause, efficient cause, and final cause.

Who was the first philosopher to teach in Athens and had a significant influence on prominent figures like Pericles?

Anaxagoras.

What was Democritus' major contribution to philosophy?

He is known for being one of the first atomists, proposing that everything consists of atoms.

What philosophical approach did Protagoras advocate?

Relativism, emphasizing that truth depends on perspective and opinion.

What was Gorgias' main argument regarding existence and knowledge?

He asserted that there is no Being, and even if there were, we could not know or communicate it.

Summarize the attitude of the Sophists towards truth according to Peter Kreeft.

They believed that truth was subjective, varying according to personal perspective.