Thales of Miletus: Contributions and Beliefs

Thales of Miletus is recognized as the first philosopher, known for his intelligence and travels to Egypt and Chaldea, where he gained mathematical knowledge. He is famous for his contributions to geometry, particularly theorems on similar triangles. Thales pondered the origin of the universe, proposing that water was the fundamental element from which all life emerged. His ideas are captured in an Egyptian papyrus, highlighting his belief in water as the primordial substance.

What title is Thales of Miletus known for?

• First scientist

• First astronomer

• First philosopher

• First mathematician

Where did Thales travel to gain mathematical knowledge?

• India and China

• Greece and Rome

• Egypt and Chaldea

• Persia and Babylon

What tool did Thales use to measure the height of a pyramid?

• A stick

• A ladder

• A shadow

• A rope

Thales is known for his theorems on which geometric shapes?

• Circles

• Squares

• Triangles

• Rectangles

What did Thales believe to be the fundamental element of the universe?

• Fire

• Earth

• Water

• Air

What observation led Thales to believe that water is the source of life?

• Water is abundant in the universe

• Water has unique chemical properties

• Water is essential for vegetation and life

• Water is found in all living organisms

According to an Egyptian papyrus, what was the primordial state of the universe?

• A fiery mass

• A solid rock

• A liquid mass

• A gaseous cloud