Anaximenes

Famous Greek philosopher who was a disciple and follower of Anaximander. He had a great role as a meteorologist and astronomer . He was a member of the Milesian school and claimed that the first and only material to give rise to all things found in the world was air. He thought that air was the origin of everything, fire and condensation and that from there were derived the clouds, the heavens, the water, the rocks and the earth. He explained in detail the changes that occurred in nature through two types of movements: quantitative and qualitative movement . He thought that the human soul was also created from air.

✅ Biography of Anaximenes

Anaximenes of Miletus was born in Miletus, it is believed that in 524 BC He was described as the inseparable companion of Anaximander , although he was at least 20 years his junior.

Anaximenes thought

Anaximenes opposed Thales on the principles of creation . He firmly believed that air was responsible for all creation. He thought that, through the condensation of the air, clouds and water were formed. He thought that the water gave rise to ice on the land, and the condensation of the earth created stones and minerals. He claimed that through refraction fire was created. He firmly believed that the earth was completely flat and that the celestial bodies were flat, for him, these were like balls of fire that had been created as a result of the exhalation of the earth and, in addition, that were rotating around the earth for medium of air as a means of transport. He claimed thatEarthquakes were generated every time there were times of drought or when there was a lot of rainfall, he thought that if the earth was dry it would crack and if it was very wet it could crumble. He began to generate the idea that when man died he had a part of his immaterial being and that when he died he merged with the universe since he firmly believed that bodies were created from air and that what kept us united to everything. that surrounded us was the soul .

Cosmology

Anaximenes believed that the Earth had a flat shape that had been formed by condensation in the air. He believed that the stars were made of fire and that they were riding in the air and revolving around the earth. It explained the presence of meteorites and eclipses as solid and invisible bodies. He called air “pneuma” which meant that air was a specific element. Living beings are very diverse and this is due to rarefaction and condensation processes. With regard to meteorology, he stated that earthquakes happened every time there was a drought or a lot of rain . Lightning, thunder, and lightning that occurred during a storm They were created from the wind that was responsible for cutting the clouds. Every time the clouds suffered from condensation , rain appeared, hail formed when that rain became solid and snow fell whenever a portion of wind was added to nature.

Arjé of Anaximenes

The Arche of Anaximander was only the air . Everything around us was created from the air and this was the essence of life. It is assumed that he took much of his knowledge through the observation of living beings and the importance that breathing had for each of them. His Arjé was based on the notions of condensation and rarefaction.

Phrases

Among the most famous phrases of Anaximenes we can mention the following:

“As the soul , which is air, preserves us in life, breath and air envelop and maintain the world.”

“All things originated from the degree of condensation or thinning of the air, caused by cold and heat.”

“The supreme opposites, principles of every generation, are cold and heat “

Works of Anaximenes

Most of his works have been lost so there are not many records of them. But among those that have been salvageable we can mention Peri physeos (On Nature). In it it is said that Anaximenes was able to write in an Ionic dialect, with a simple and precise style. It is said that he was the first man to perform geometric computational analysis of shadows to make measurements.