Intro: Anaxagoras
Anaxagoras stands as a towering figure in ancient Greek philosophy, whose ideas revolutionized our understanding of the universe. In this blog post, we will explore the life and contributions of Anaxagoras, exploring his profound impact on philosophy.
He was a philosopher born in Clazomenae, a city in Ionia, who spent his life unraveling the mysteries of the universe. He is primarily known for his cosmological theories, which challenged the prevailing beliefs of his time.
According to Anaxagoras, the universe is governed by a cosmic intelligence that guides a universal order. In his view, all matter is made up of infinitely divisible particles called “seeds,” each of which possesses a specific quality. He believed that these seeds were responsible for forming all substances and objects.
As a result of his groundbreaking ideas, the existence of supernatural forces was widely rejected. Anaxagoras believed that natural processes, rather than divine intervention, shaped the universe. In his view, the universe can be better understood by using a more rational approach.
The scientific community also benefited from Anaxagoras’s cosmological theories. In this way, he foreshadowed modern understandings of celestial bodies and their interactions with light by proposing that the moon shines by reflecting the light of the sun. In addition, he suggested that solar eclipses are caused by the moon blocking the sun’s rays.
Additionally, Anaxagoras’ philosophical inquiries extended beyond cosmology. Topics such as perception, mind, and the nature of reality were explored by him. Future philosophical developments were inspired by his teachings on the mind and its role in the cosmos.
As a result of his interactions with influential people in this famous city, he became a celebrity. Athenians were intrigued by his book. Young Socrates was one of them.
Even though he could not afford to buy an expensive book of up to a day of skilled workers, he was moved to hear someone else read Anaksagoras’s book. His claim about the origin of natural order particularly caught his attention.
Nothing can be created or wiped out.
Anaxagoras faced the same challenges as other philosophers of the time while exploring nature.
Parmenides’ Aporia was to be solved. Existence cannot be created or destroyed.
Due to the fact that there is nothing in the first place, it is impossible to become what does not exist as well as what does not exist.
Nevertheless, nature is full of phenomena of creation and extinction. How can you explain the creation and extinction of natural objects without assuming ‘nothing’ exists?
Aporia was solved by assuming eternal principles and explaining creation and extinction through their combination and separation.
“No objects are created, they are not extinct, but rather they are mixed and separated from the things that already exist,” Anaxagoras said.
He came up with ‘things’ different from those assumed by Empedocles or Democritus. As the principle of all things, Anaxagoras proposes not soil, water, fire, air, or other inseparable atoms, but seeds with their own properties.
Seeds are elements found in nature
It is possible that Anaxagoras, if he were alive, would say that chemical elements correspond to ‘seeds’.
Carbon and oxygen are elements with different properties that combine to form higher complexes. It is obvious that the properties of the complex can be explained by the properties of the components.
Anaxagoras’ thoughts are similar to ours. If the body’s flesh and bones are maintained through food intake, it is because the flesh and bones are already present in it.
As seeds unite and disperse, all kinds of natural objects emerge and disappear, according to Anaxagoras.
However, if Anaxagoras had only assumed seeds were the principle of all things, he would not have attracted the attention of young Socrates. This form of element theory is just another version of a theory already established by other philosophers.
Anaxagoras’ book captured people’s attention because it contained new ideas: the principle of creating order in the universe through the union and separation of seeds. It was a theory of ‘Nous’ that other philosophers should have considered.
From chaos to cosmos
Imagine the seeds in their initial state. With all kinds of seeds mixed together, there is no form of nature, no difference in properties, and no order of nature. It’s a chaotic situation.
However, our universe is part of the cosmos. A constant relationship exists between natural objects with different personalities.
How did Chaos become Cosmos? At the beginning, Anaksagoras says there is a rotation movement.
After the seeds had been lumped together, a rotational motion took place and the movement grew.
Anaxagoras, however, believed that this movement was not accidental. This movement was born out of the ability of the spirit “to know all the things that mix together, the things that fall apart, and the things that are separated.”
Anaxagoras made another thinking revolution by asking and answering new questions about what will happen in the future, what is now and what will happen in the future.
The mind’s explanation of natural phenomena
There is no change in the natural order, unlike the social order. It is possible for someone to ask. Why is it important for me to understand nature and the origin of natural order?
There is no guarantee that it will make a difference. It is hard to ask about what can be changed if you don’t question what doesn’t change.
In addition to creating a conformist attitude, social order also creates a conformist attitude that considers it to be natural.
Under the pressure of breathtaking order, questions have the power to breathe and change the world. In science, as well as in everyday life, questions are soon free!
A visionary philosopher, Anaxagoras challenged conventional wisdom and shaped our understanding of the universe. A philosophical and scientific inquiry would be shaped by his ideas about cosmic intelligence and natural processes. Despite Anaxagoras’s remarkable contributions, we continue to explore the mysteries of the universe today.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How did Anaxagoras contribute to philosophy?
- Anaxagoras contributed significantly to philosophy, particularly in cosmology. The concept of “seeds” was introduced to explain the formation of matter, and he challenged prevailing religious and supernatural beliefs.
In what ways did Anaxagoras’ ideas influence later philosophers?
- Anaxagoras’ ideas profoundly influenced subsequent philosophical thought. In addition to laying the groundwork for Western philosophy, his emphasis on rational explanations and natural processes inspired thinkers like Socrates and Plato.
