The Theory of Xenophanes

Thales, the Early Philosopher


Thales, one of the earliest philosophers, argued that everything around the world is water. Suchlike arguments provoke the consideration that the world has an interior mechanism that only study and evidence can expose. Therefore, the glaring picture of the globe should grant the system to a methodical view that can rectify and conquer our inexperienced idea of the world. For people to believe otherwise regarding this argument, Thales holds up the case from two different foundations (Perry, Bratman and Fischer 16). He supposes that the world embodies one fundamental substance, from which all things originate. Thales presumed the fundamental substance to be water; this is because water contains all the essential characteristics that the substance is anticipated to comprise; for instance, the ability to take on diverse forms. In addition, Thales discards a depiction of the world as a paranormal quadrant inhabited by beings, which are not topic to regulation as may oversee the relations of all natural bodies.


Xenophanes and Human Likeness to Supernatural Beings


Why do people customarily create their supernatural beings in their magnificence imagery? In Xenophanes arguments, he scrutinizes that human beings are regretfully humanoid when it comes to their supernatural beings (Perry, Bratman and Fischer 21-22). He indicates that people create supernatural beings in their likeness; for instance, the Thracians believe their gods to have blue eyes and red-hair, just like them. Is this human behavior based on their beliefs or knowledge? Someone with knowledge must have proof to support their claim. It must be the people’s beliefs and attitudes towards their supernatural beings that provide them with truthful knowledge of creating them in their likeness. As for Xenophanes, he applies the concept of theism to enlighten this human behavior. The theory describes the existence of merely one supernatural being who appears to be untainted in mentality, who is believed, observed, and listened to by his people, and performs what is considered appropriate.

Works Cited


Perry, John, Michael Bratman and, John M. Fisher Introduction to Philosophy: Classical and Contemporary Readings. Routledge, 2003.

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