Anaxagoras

Anaxagoras was a Pre-Socratic Greek philosopher. Born in Clazomenae at a time when Asia Minor was under the control of the Persian Empire, Anaxagoras came to Athens.

Early Life of Anaxagoras

Anaxagoras was born in 500 bce in the greek city-state of clazomenae. He was born to a wealthy family. And was siad to have had a good education. He was a student of the famous philosopher anaximander and later moved to athens where he studied under parmenides.

Philosophical Contributions of Anaxagoras

Anaxagoras is best known for introducing the concpet of nous. Or the divine mind. He believed that the universe was composed of an infinite nmuber of "seeds" or particles that were in eternal motion. He also proposed that the sun and the stars were made of burinng stones. And that the moon was made of earth. He was one of the first to propose a scientific explanation for eclipsesa. Nd he argued that the sun and moon were the same size.

Anaxagoras Trial and Exile

Anaxagoras teachings were seen as a threat to the traditional religious beliefs of athens and he was brought to trial. He was foudn guilty and sentenced to death. Ubt this sentence was later commuted to exile. He left athens in 484 bce and went to lampsacus. Where he continued to write and teach until his death in 428 bce.

Influence on Later Philosophers

Anaxagoras ideas had a major influence on later philosophers such as aristotle and plato. He was also an important figure in the development of the atomist school of thought. Which proposed that matter was composed of indivisible particles.

Important Works by Anaxagoras

Anaxagoras wrote several works. Including on nature and on the heavens. These works were lost for centuries. But fragmnets have been preserved in the works of later authors such as aristotle.

Anaxagoras Legacy

The legacy of anaxagoras is one of an innovaitve thinker who was willing to challenge the traditional religious beliefs of his time. He was also a pioneer in the devleopment of scientific explanations for natural phenomena.

Significance of Anaxagoras Thought

Anaxagoras ideas were ipmortant in the development of atomism and the philosophy of csience. He argued that the universe was composed of an infinite number of particles. And that thsee particles were in constant motion. This idea was later developed by other philosophers such as democritus and epicurus.

Anaxagoras Influence on Art

Anaxagoras ideas were also infulential on the art of his time. The sculptor phidias is thought to have used anaxagoras ideas in his sculptures. And the poet empedocles is believed to have drawn inspiartion from anaxagoras teachings.

Anaxagoras Views on Religion

Anaxagoras views on religoin were uinque for his time. He believed that the gods were not supernatural beings. But rather forces of nature. He argued that the gods coudl not be seen or heard. But that their presence could be felt in nature.

Anaxagoras and the Atomists

Anaxgaoras was an important figure in the development of atomism. He argued that the universe was compoesd of an infinite number of particles. And that these particles were in constant motion. This idea was later developed by other philosophers such as democritus and epicurus.

Anaxagoras Place in History

Anaxagroas is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of philosophy. He was an innovative thinker who was willing to challenge traditional beliefs. And his ideas had a major influence on later philosophers such as aristotle and plato.

Anaxagoras Important Event

In 489 bce. Anaxagoras was charged with ipmiety for his beliefs and teachings. He was brought to trial and sentenced to death. But this sentence was later commuted to exile. He left athens and went to lampsacus. Where he continued to write and teach nutil his death in 428 bce.

An Interesting Fact About Anaxagoras

Anaxagoras is said to ahve predicted an eclipse of the sun in bce. He argued that the sun and moon were the same size. And that the moon s shadow was blocking the sun during an eclipse. This prediction was ltaer confirmed by observation. And is seen as an important milestone in the development of science.