Anaximenes of Miletus

Anaximenes (Άναξιμένης) of Miletus (c. 585 BC-c. 525 BC) was a Greek Pre-Socratic philosopher from the latter half of the 6th century, probably a younger contemporary of Anaximander, whose pupil or friend he is said to have been.

Theories

Anaximenes held that air (Greek aer, translates closer to mist) is the most basic element. It is the source of all that exists (the arche). Everything is air at different degrees of density, and under the influence of heat, which expands, and of cold, which contracts its volume, it gives rise to the several phases of existence. The process is gradual, and takes place in two directions, as heat or cold predominates; this is called rarefaction and condensation. Through rarefaction, the ultimate result is fire, whereas condensation tends toward stone. In this way was formed a broad disk of earth, floating on the circumambient air. Similar condensations produced the sun and stars; the flaming state of these bodies is due to the velocity of their motions.

He is reported to have said "As our souls, being air, hold us together, so breath and air embrace the entire universe.

In Context

What makes the three Milesian philosophers, Thales, Anaximander and Anaximenes, stand out is that the theoretical human has become a reality. The way of thinking has in its basic form moved away from the mythological thinking (or mythos) and into the domain of the theoretical thinking (or logos). From now on it is about explaining the universal and the general. Everything in the universe can now be approached by the thoughts of humans. This notably influenced the Pythagoreans.

See also

• The Anaximenes crater on the Moon was named in his honour.
• Philosophy
• Material monism

References

Further reading