In the past, when humans lived in primitive societies, they did not distinguish between different types of knowledge. Everything they knew was considered one type of knowledge. A tribe leader could serve as a judge, chief, or even a professor. However, over time, there was a differentiation of various types of knowledge, resulting in work specialization, which transformed the structure of society.



Before entering the era of Ancient Greece, the explanation for natural phenomena was myths and legends. However, the explanations given by Greek mythology could not be explained rationally. For example, thunder came from the wrath of the god Thor. This rationalization based on myths continued until the sixth century BC.


The most fundamental period in the history of the development of science and philosophy is the period of Greek philosophy (sixth century BC to zero AD). During this time, there were philosophers such as Thales (624-546 BC). At that time, philosophers sought to find the principles (arche) that were the basis of everything in existence. They discussed the elements that make up the cosmos or principles that underlie everything. Thales referred to water as the fundamental principle.


Other philosophers included Anaximander (611-545 BC), who referred to aperion, which is limitless, as the origin of everything. Anaximenes (588-524 BC) referred to air as the vital element of life. Pythagoras (580-500 BC) stated that the basis of everything could be explained by numbers. Later, philosophical discussions were no longer about the origin of the universe, but whether reality is changing or static. Two famous philosophers from that period were Heraclitus (540-475 BC) and Parmenides (540-475 BC). Heraclitus said that everything was constantly changing, while Parmenides said that reality was stable and unchanging. The view of Democritus (460-370 BC) stated that reality consists of many elements called atoms. This view became the foundation for the development of physics, chemistry, and biology.


In ancient Greece, people began to think about the universe in a more rational way, rather than relying on myths. The most prominent figure in Greek philosophy was Socrates who used a philosophical method called dialectics, in which he did not provide direct knowledge but used questions to trigger knowledge in others. Socrates' pupil, Plato, continued the tradition of dialogue in philosophy. However, philosophical thought reached its peak in Plato's pupil, Aristotle. He suggested that science should seek to understand the cause of the object being investigated. Aristotle identified four types of causes to understand how everything happens.


At that time, philosophical thought and science were not separated. Everything that humans thought was called philosophy. However, in the Middle Ages, philosophical thought became united with religion and church dogma, resulting in whatever the church said was considered true. The Middle Ages in Europe were known as the golden age of Christianity, which lasted from the sixth to sixteenth century AD.


The history of Western philosophy can be divided into four periods based on the dominant characteristics of the thought of the time.


During Ancient Greece, philosophers were very interested in the origin of the universe, resulting in a cosmos-centered worldview.


The Middle Ages were marked by a theocentric worldview, in which philosophers used philosophy to strengthen Christian dogma.


In the Modern era, an anthropocentric worldview emerged, with a focus on humans as the center of philosophical analysis. Although philosophy remained secular, science became very important and continued to develop.


Finally, in the contemporary era, philosophers focused on logosentric, making texts the central theme in their discourse.


During the Renaissance, philosophical thought began to separate itself from religion and focus on freedom of thought. This era was also marked by the emergence of astonishing works of art, such as painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and literature. Philosophers of this period, such as Nicolaus Copernicus, Francis Bacon, Galileo Galilei, and Thomas Aquinas, made significant contributions to the development of philosophical thought and science.