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Single Idea 5988

[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / C. History of Philosophy / 2. Ancient Philosophy / b. Pre-Socratic philosophy ]

Full Idea

Anaximander was the first to produce a philosophical book (later conventionally titled 'On Nature'), if not the first to produce a book at all.

Gist of Idea

Anaximander produced the first philosophy book (and maybe the first book)

Source

report of Anaximander (fragments/reports [c.570 BCE]) by István Bodnár - Anaximander

Book Ref

'Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy', ed/tr. Zeyl,Donald J. [Fitzroy Dearborn 1997], p.31


A Reaction

Wow! Presumably there were Egyptian 'books', but this still sounds like a stupendous claim to fame.


The 8 ideas from 'fragments/reports'

Anaximander produced the first philosophy book (and maybe the first book) [Anaximander, by Bodnár]
Anaximander saw the contradiction in the world - that its own qualities destroy it [Anaximander, by Nietzsche]
The Boundless cannot exist on its own, and must have something contrary to it [Aristotle on Anaximander]
The parts of all things are susceptible to change, but the whole is unchangeable [Anaximander, by Diog. Laertius]
Anaximander introduced the idea that the first principle and element of things was the Boundless [Anaximander, by Simplicius]
The earth is stationary, because it is in the centre, and has no more reason to move one way than another [Anaximander, by Aristotle]
Things begin and end in the Unlimited, and are balanced over time according to justice [Anaximander]
The essential nature, whatever it is, of the non-limited is everlasting and ageless [Anaximander]