What I found most interesting about Heraclitus is how much cross cultural trade is evident in his works. While this is not necessarily the most philosophical content, it is interesting to see how ideas spread.
The theme that makes this trade so evident is his reference to apes. There are no European apes. There are not even Ionian apes. The closes primates are Saharan Africa and the tropics of Asia. While those regions could be trading closer to the Greek world, this at least demonstrates that Greeks are now including aspects of the far East in their thoughts and philosophies.
Additionally, the inclusion of a life and death cycle of the elements seems particularly influenced by the East (though it is quite possible that both organically arose in their respective domains). Taoism and Tai Chi in particular emphasize a cycle of destruction and birth with the elements, though theirs are fire, metal, wood, earth, water (in order of destruction). It is still intriguing to see the study of physics begin focussing on how elements can be transmuted.
I would be interested to know more about how much intellectual trade was being done, and how closely the various philosophies of the East and West were in chronological development. I feel like even if they are unrelated, this shows that philosophy is a natural part of humanity, and that there is some progression of ideas innate in our species. Then again, that may just be the Hegelian in me.
Very good. There's a great deal of info on trade in this time. Also check out "the Shape of Ancient Thought" which explores the interplay of ideas with the India Sub Continent.
ReplyDeleteI agree that philosophizing is natural to humans. Whether there is progress (or regress!) is more controversial - it seems to depend on the topic.
ReplyDeleteI like your analogy between the exchange of goods and the exchange of ideas. It does seem that exposure to other ways of making things and other ways of thinking can help us to improve our own crafts and our own ideas.
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