Anaxagoras

Date of Birth: 500 BCE

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: 428 BCE

Biography

Anaxagoras was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher born in Clazomenae in Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey. He is known for introducing the concept of Nous (Mind) as the fundamental principle that organizes the cosmos. Anaxagoras moved to Athens, where he became a central figure in the intellectual community, influencing many prominent figures, including Pericles and Socrates. His philosophical ideas marked a significant shift from mythological explanations of the world to rational and scientific inquiry. He proposed that everything in the universe is composed of infinitesimally small particles or “seeds,” and it is the mind (Nous) that arranges these particles into the forms we see. Despite his groundbreaking thoughts, Anaxagoras faced significant opposition. He was charged with impiety by the Athenian authorities, largely due to his claims that the sun was a hot stone and the moon was made of earth, challenging the traditional religious views. As a result, he was forced to leave Athens and spent his remaining years in Lampsacus, where he continued his philosophical work until his death.

5 Interesting Facts about Anaxagoras

1. Anaxagoras was the first philosopher to bring philosophy to Athens, a city that would later become the heart of Greek philosophical thought.

2. He introduced the concept of Nous (Mind) as the governing principle of the cosmos, a significant departure from earlier materialistic explanations.

3. Anaxagoras believed that everything is composed of infinitely divisible particles or “seeds” that are arranged by Nous.

4. He was a mentor to the famous Athenian statesman Pericles, who protected him during his trial for impiety.

5. Anaxagoras made significant contributions to astronomy, suggesting that the moon reflects the sun’s light and that solar eclipses occur when the moon passes between the earth and the sun.