Pre-Socratic philosophy

Pre-Socratic philosophy, general term applied to the thought of the early Greek philosophers (c.600–400 B.C.) who lived before Socrates. Their writings survive mostly in obscure fragments, but their fame and importance lie in their being the first to attempt rational explanations of the universe. Some of the major pre-Socratics were Anaximander, Anaxagoras, Heraclitus, Parmenides, and Pythagoras.

See also: Philosophy.