Thales of Miletus: The Father of Philosophy Thales of Miletus is often regarded as the first philosopher in Western history. Living in ancient Greece around 624–546 BCE, he was among the first thinkers to seek natural explanations for the world instead of relying on myths or the gods. Thales believed that water was the fundamental substance of all things, a bold idea that marked the beginning of scientific and philosophical thought. He was not only a philosopher but also a mathematician, astrono