Introduction
Philosophy, as an exponent of rational knowledge thought in a systematic way, emerged in Greece in the middle of the 6th century BC and arises from the need that the Greeks had to explain the world, natural events, and the relationship between humans and nature based on the orderly and systematic use of rationality.
Therefore, philosophy is one of the tools used to solve the need for explanations of the world based on rationality. Until the emergence of philosophy as a rational way of thinking, understanding, and explaining the world, relationships were all explained based on mythology.
What historical facts marked the emergence of philosophy?
What begins the emergence of philosophy is therefore the need for the Greeks to understand the world based on rational explanations, with the presentation of indisputable evidence, well-formulated arguments, and a good theoretical basis, since mythological explanations no longer proved to be sufficient. Philosophy arises among the Greeks as an impulse, a need to explain and understand the world through justifications and rational truths, which can be proven in some way.
It is not possible to define just one historical or social factor to explain the emergence of philosophy. A series of processes must be taken into consideration, among which are: commercial and cultural exchanges, the improvement of writing, the organization of politics, the strengthening of urban life, the exaltation of reason, and religious manifestations.
The previously mentioned processes, therefore, serve to understand the reasons why philosophy was created in Greece and spread to both the East and the West.
What is Philosophy and its characteristics?
Philosophy is an intellectual discipline that seeks to understand and question fundamental concepts about existence, knowledge, morality, and truth. It is characterized by the use of critical reasoning, logical analysis, and in-depth questioning. Philosophy challenges common sense and explores metaphysical, ethical, and existential questions. It interacts with other areas of knowledge, such as science, art, and politics, offering a comprehensive and critical perspective.
Philosophers use argumentation and dialogue to investigate and debate ideas. Philosophical questions are universal and timeless, maintaining their relevance through the centuries. Philosophy encourages autonomous reflection and the search for understanding, in addition to contributing to the development of critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the world and the human condition.
Mythological explanations and myths
Before delving deeper into the knowledge about the emergence of philosophy, it is necessary to understand what myths are, the way in which the ancient Greeks explained the world around them.
Myths are created narratives, generally full of fantasy elements, used to explain the emergence of the world, everyday situations or events that directly influence the lives of men, such as natural phenomena that can, for example, determine whether or not the year will be of good harvests or whether the Greeks will be victorious in the battles they fight against their enemies.
Because they present explanations based on fantasy and mythical elements, the presence of gods and demigods is also a characteristic of mythical narratives. The fury or benevolence of the gods towards humans is used to explain a series of everyday events.
For example, if the Greeks anger Poseidon, god of the seas, they will certainly be punished in their maritime endeavors. If Ares, the god of war, is benevolent and is on the side of the Greeks, they will certainly win the battles they participate in.
For a long time, the Greeks used mythology to explain everything that needed to be explained, from the emergence of the world to everyday facts, from social to natural phenomena.
Although they followed the Greeks for a long time, mythological explanations were no longer sufficient, it was necessary that the explanations were based on rationality, that they could be proven, and that they no longer presented fanciful elements. It was then from the rational search for answers that the Greeks developed philosophy.
The social, political, and cultural context in Greece
There is no single reason or historical fact that stimulated the emergence of philosophy. It is necessary to understand that the social, political, and economic organization of Greece they provided an environment that favored rational rather than mythological explanations. Among the sociopolitical factors that deserve to be highlighted is the formation of polis.
The first Greek social groupings were called genes, composed of people with a common ancestor and with decision-making power concentrated in the hands of the pater, the oldest figure in the group.
With the increase in the number of inhabitants in the genos and the beginning of the notion of private property, the Greeks opted for the division of lands based on the degree of kinship and the regrouping of the genos and division of lands gave rise to the phratries, which later became reorganized into tribes.
With the development of commerce, agriculture, and the increase in the number of inhabitants, the tribes underwent a new process of organization that gave rise to city-states, or polis. The organization of the polis was important for philosophy, as it caused a decrease in the number of conflicts, therefore, the elite Greeks were able to spend their time building rational explanations and replacing mythological explanations.
Philosophy also benefited from the cultural and commercial exchanges established by the Greeks with the Egyptians, the Greek colonies in Asia Minor and Sicily, in the cities bathed by the Aegean and Black Seas. Cultural exchange helped the Greeks have contact with other ways of thinking and seek to resolve doubts and conflicts through rationality.
In practical terms, the organization and publication of works, together with travel and commercial exchanges, helped Greek knowledge to be taken to various parts of the ancient world. The organization of the works also ensured that the works would not be lost over the years, as it is easier to maintain written documents than information transmitted through oral tradition.
Religion, as well as poetry, must be considered when talking about philosophy. Greek poetic narrative influenced Aristotle in the construction of some of its philosophical concepts and consequently, it contributed to the consolidation of philosophy as a field of knowledge. Furthermore, the rational, poetic, and coherent form that philosophers used to present their thoughts was very close to the way Greek poetry was constructed.
As for religion, as there was no sacred book or official writing, beliefs were passed on through poetic speeches, once again linking philosophy and poetry, this time from religion. Furthermore, the non-existence of writings or records on polytheistic belief was not an impediment to the presentation of rational ideas that could, in some way, contest religion.
Finally, it is worth highlighting the relationship between the political organization of the polis and the development of philosophy. In the polis, specific places were created for the discussion and resolution of political conflicts, the same model as which philosophical thoughts and ideas were transmitted.
Based on the factors presented above, it is possible to understand the reasons why it is not possible to select a single event or historical fact that guaranteed the emergence of philosophy. It is therefore necessary to analyze the set of factors.
Strengthening and expanding Philosophy
Some events were important for the expansion and consolidation of philosophy and philosophical ideals. Among them are:
Political organization: With the political organization in the polis, specific places were created for the discussion and resolution of political conflicts. This model of organization and speech influenced the way thoughts and philosophical ideas were transmitted.
Sea travel: The journeys made by the Greeks to other regions of the world helped bring more people into contact with philosophy.
Commercial exchanges: The fairs set up with the intention of commercial exchanges between different people allowed the Greeks to show their philosophy to other traders.
Organization and publication of works: The organization of books and the publication of philosophical works helped so that the ideas of the main Greek thinkers could reach, through travel and commercial exchange, a series of regions of the ancient world.
Regarding this last topic, it is highlighted that the organization of written works was essential so that thought, the way of looking at philosophy, and the constant search for rational thought were not lost over time and, also, that they influenced, including in current times, our ways of producing science and knowledge.
Summary of the emergence of philosophy
The emergence of philosophy occurred inAncient Greeceat the end of the 6th century BC Born as a transition from mythical to rational thought, the first philosophers, called pre-Socratics, sought to understand the origin and nature of the universe through reason and observation.
Socrates, in the 5th century BC, brought an emphasis on ethical issues and knowledge. His disciples, Platoand Aristotle, consolidated and expanded the field of philosophy, establishing its foundations for Western thought.