Anaximenes

Q: Who was Anaximenes?

Anaximenes was a Pre-Socratic philosopher who claimed air was the First Cause of existence.

Q: What is Anaximenes famous for?

Anaximenes is famous for his claim that air was the essential world principle from which all else came. His views are still cited by modern-day scientists.

Q: What was Anaximenes' relationship with Thales and Anaximander?

Anaximenes is the third philosopher of the Milesian School which began with Thales of Miletus. Anaximander was a student of Thales and Anaximenes studies under Anaximander.

Q: Why is Anaximenes important?

Anaximenes is important because his theories influenced the later Pre-Socratic philosophers in developing their theories and these men then influenced Plato who developed the first systematic basis of Western Philosophy in written form.

Joshua J. Mark

Anaximenes

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Definition

Anaximenes of Miletus (l. c. 546 BCE) was a younger contemporary of Anaximander and generally regarded as his student. Known as the Third Philosopher of the Milesian School after Thales (l. c. 585 BCE) and Anaximander (l. c. 610 - c. 546 BCE), Anaximenes proposed air as the First Cause from which all else comes.

More about: Anaximenes

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c. 546 BCE
Date of Anaximenes' work; air is claimed as the First Cause of existence.

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