Dear Diary,
This evening I watched ‘the greatest movie ever made’, Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo. It was certainly enjoyable. The film also prompted me to think about my recent metaphysical meditations, certainly in the first-half of the picture.
A good friend of mine (the very best, McCormick) once had a re-occurring dream. It was of a woman, whom he painted, and sketched, over and over again. A colleague artist and art historian saw the painting and did some research. The lady turned out to be a noblewoman from mediæval times. I will find out who, when next I see the wily Scot.
Another time, the philosopher friend of mine, the man interested in the line of philosophers, once told me that his father had given him some clothes to wear. They were his grand-fathers, who had inherited them from his father (the philosopher’s great-grandad). The garments - believe it or not - contained memories. My friend would sometimes see scenes from the first war whilst wearing those clothes, inherited memories from his ancestors. Much in the same way that when someone writes with someone else’s signature pen, the first line appears in the previous owners handwriting, only with family matters it is more acute.
Akin to the experiment conducted some years ago in France. Where scientists were able to measure vibrations in the rooms atmosphere, on an atomic level. If a space had been used for beheading, the blood sprayed and splattered over the walls and floors actually had a measurable negative effect on peoples moods, darkening them in the place. Contrastingly, chambers that had once been bawdy houses had the opposite effect, again measurable scientifically, only instead of casting a dark spectre over the place, joy would be felt. I am very open-minded, and do not discount the possibility of atmospheric differentiation.
Kate Aidie once interviewed some dictator, and as he entered the room she felt the temperature drop sharply. Later on it transpired that the tyrant had just been executing prisoners, immediately prior to the interview. Distubingly, the man was cool, charming, debonair.
Before I set off on my voyage of lonely homelessness, I believed only ‘living’ things could have a ‘spirit’ (plants, animals, and people). Although I stayed mainly in tents, I eventually took to squatting old derelict buildings. With no wind nor rodents about, I would hear things, feel things, odd disturbances. No-one can explain away this with atmospheric pressure or differences in temperature, these old buildings definitely have a spirit. In my thirteen years experience as a rover, to me at least, this is beyond all doubt. One hears things, sees things, that are not explained.
Pangloss says only amber has such qualities. That mundane rocks and even every other precious stones haven't any sort of measurable quality. He once had in his possession two ancient (and I mean millions of years old!) amber necklaces. These orangey greenish looking pieces of jewelery had an electromagnetic field about them. He placed one of them next to his cat and all her hair stood on end.
Once in a very old town in Wiltshire, I was sat in the room next to Conan’s kitchen. The philosopher friend of mine was there. Suddenly I felt very cold, half my body became paralyzed. My philosopher-friend said, “Did you see that?!” “See it?!”, I replied, “I felt it!”. As the spirit left, my body I caught a glimpse of what looked like a small piece of mist, flying about us.
This is only the tip of the ice-berg. I have many such tales of unexplained happenings.
That’s all for now,
Good-night dearest Diary,
Maxwell.
Thursday, 2 August 2012
Metempsychosis
Dear Diary,
I largely dismissed the 'power' of relics in this course thus far. Although I believe in a higher-power (not just Hobbit produce or Dwarven brew) I remained skeptical about how mere objects could in some way perform miraculous deeds, healing: poppy-cock.
So, as I waded through book two Contexts I noticed a few sections that made me question my anti-materialist ideas. Still I quibbled. I was, as per usual, sceptical about how someone's (supposed) remains could in some way change something in somebody, I put it down to pre-emption. A psycho-sematic nonsense, that the recipient had already decided beforehand that the experience was going to transform them somehow. A kind of self-fulfilling prophecy.
Then I just watched the Digital Versatile Disc as I worked my way through book three Afterlives. Man! The activity on pages 25-26 is really, really On the Flex. The Buddhist cremation of some Lama or another started to pop like pop-corn. Tiny white pearl-like objects were being spat out from the flames. When the fire had died and cooled, the monks retrieved these sacred objects. Wow. Awe and wonder. My God. These people had gem-stones spew forth from their corpses, in a miraculous afterlife event: Pythagorean metempsychosis. This course is seriously On the Flex.
When my friend Adriano came to stay with me, we went to the supermarket. As we arrived he produced his camera and began taking shots of the store. (Adriano is a massive Doors fan) He went home with a bunch of shots that simply read 'Morrisons'. I just noticed that alongside Elvis, we're studying Jim Morrison in this chapter! I am so happy we're doing so, as the religious stuff can sometimes be monotonous. (Forgive me oh Lord!)
Anyhow. I managed to re-apply for financial support for my course (my application was lost in the post). I also squared away the Conference travel expenses form. No problems, only solutions. Tonight is a guitar lesson, which means a meal (I've cooked only rice today, that and oats with jam - I don't drink cows milk). Anyway, Stay On the Flex y'all,
Maximus.
I largely dismissed the 'power' of relics in this course thus far. Although I believe in a higher-power (not just Hobbit produce or Dwarven brew) I remained skeptical about how mere objects could in some way perform miraculous deeds, healing: poppy-cock.
So, as I waded through book two Contexts I noticed a few sections that made me question my anti-materialist ideas. Still I quibbled. I was, as per usual, sceptical about how someone's (supposed) remains could in some way change something in somebody, I put it down to pre-emption. A psycho-sematic nonsense, that the recipient had already decided beforehand that the experience was going to transform them somehow. A kind of self-fulfilling prophecy.
Then I just watched the Digital Versatile Disc as I worked my way through book three Afterlives. Man! The activity on pages 25-26 is really, really On the Flex. The Buddhist cremation of some Lama or another started to pop like pop-corn. Tiny white pearl-like objects were being spat out from the flames. When the fire had died and cooled, the monks retrieved these sacred objects. Wow. Awe and wonder. My God. These people had gem-stones spew forth from their corpses, in a miraculous afterlife event: Pythagorean metempsychosis. This course is seriously On the Flex.
When my friend Adriano came to stay with me, we went to the supermarket. As we arrived he produced his camera and began taking shots of the store. (Adriano is a massive Doors fan) He went home with a bunch of shots that simply read 'Morrisons'. I just noticed that alongside Elvis, we're studying Jim Morrison in this chapter! I am so happy we're doing so, as the religious stuff can sometimes be monotonous. (Forgive me oh Lord!)
Anyhow. I managed to re-apply for financial support for my course (my application was lost in the post). I also squared away the Conference travel expenses form. No problems, only solutions. Tonight is a guitar lesson, which means a meal (I've cooked only rice today, that and oats with jam - I don't drink cows milk). Anyway, Stay On the Flex y'all,
Maximus.
Enlightened
"...Shakyamuni Buddha lived in northern India, probably in the fifth century B. C. E. (His precise dates are disputed.) Bhuddists believed that the Buddha, 'woke up' from ignorance and delusion when he came to an understanding (usually called enlightenment) about 'the way things really are' while meditating under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya... His awakening gave him wisdom and knowledge..." (2011, M. Bowman, page 15) quoted in Making Sense of [Artefacts]... (Open University module A151)
I confess to having similar revelations in mine own life, none so significant as one in-particular, back in the mid-nineties, after band-practice with the heavy metal band Knight of Swords. What happened? Well, I awoke, went downstairs, outside into the orchard. Early in the morning the sea-mist rolled in across the verdant valleys, all about the hills in the stillness of the dawn.
Suddenly something extraordinary happened. I cannot fully explain it, for it was a feeling, a sensational epiphany, like no other, before or since. The rapture was incredible. I transcended this world for a moment, yet was rooted to the earth. I knew everything their was to know, and yet, and I knew nothing: my mind was as clear as a cloudless sky. This divine transcendence held me for only a few seconds, but that briefest of moments seemed to last an æon! I had found peace, or rather, the spirit of peace had found me; the universe and I were in perfect synchronicity. Duende.
Ever since that day I have striven to feel that platonic sensation again. After decades of trying, I surmise that peace is elusive. The more one tries to follow it, the further away it gets. Now, I meditate in peace, and the spirit comes to me. Never have I had such an intense spiritual experience.
I once recited this anecdote to Pangloss and his family. His response was, "Tu a vue le qualité de cette homme la?" (Have you seen the quality of this man here?)
Cousin (who's about to visit) is a scientist. Grounded in reality. His explanation is that a ray of sunlight caught my eye, and that it is entirely possible to find some feesable rationale.
In the words of Bill Bailey, "You weren't there man. You weren't there..."
On the Flex,
Maximus.
I confess to having similar revelations in mine own life, none so significant as one in-particular, back in the mid-nineties, after band-practice with the heavy metal band Knight of Swords. What happened? Well, I awoke, went downstairs, outside into the orchard. Early in the morning the sea-mist rolled in across the verdant valleys, all about the hills in the stillness of the dawn.
Suddenly something extraordinary happened. I cannot fully explain it, for it was a feeling, a sensational epiphany, like no other, before or since. The rapture was incredible. I transcended this world for a moment, yet was rooted to the earth. I knew everything their was to know, and yet, and I knew nothing: my mind was as clear as a cloudless sky. This divine transcendence held me for only a few seconds, but that briefest of moments seemed to last an æon! I had found peace, or rather, the spirit of peace had found me; the universe and I were in perfect synchronicity. Duende.
Ever since that day I have striven to feel that platonic sensation again. After decades of trying, I surmise that peace is elusive. The more one tries to follow it, the further away it gets. Now, I meditate in peace, and the spirit comes to me. Never have I had such an intense spiritual experience.
I once recited this anecdote to Pangloss and his family. His response was, "Tu a vue le qualité de cette homme la?" (Have you seen the quality of this man here?)
Cousin (who's about to visit) is a scientist. Grounded in reality. His explanation is that a ray of sunlight caught my eye, and that it is entirely possible to find some feesable rationale.
In the words of Bill Bailey, "You weren't there man. You weren't there..."
On the Flex,
Maximus.
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
Wrong-un
Dear Diary,
Where the f- am I? What have I done today? The blogoholic strikes again. I refused the offer of two jam-sessions, just to stay in and have a curry chez Larry.
Anyway, needless to say I was dragged down the dive: the pub. My old residency and local.
I went to my local, shamed, disgraced, from having bailed-out sheepishly from the resident gig last Sunday. Bummer. I had to make my excuses to many regulars as well as the landlady.
The locals asked me to sing them a song. Me being me, I managed to squeeze my way back into favour, through playing a kick-ass set, sat at the bar. In full-view of all the base and common not to mention the high-brow clientele.
We then promtly headed to a house party, where people are playing off the wall scatty BS. Numerous acts played. Well I say 'played' and what I mean of course is 'make noise'. Electro. Tinny. Trebelly. Fizzy sounding. Monophonic not polyphonic, as acoustic music is. Fortunately there were a handful of fine women. Unfortunately two of them left, but another arrived. A woman I had met a while ago.
The piano player was good, but the upright had too many ringers. Man these 'guitarists' were ... average; and I mean, very average. Even before they had plugged-in, playing with their backing tracks, I affirmed my supremacy by playing a few ditties on "Lilly". One of the 'guitarists' said "I wish I could play like that." Of course, naturally.
The second act was some lone 'guitarist' who played very loud and out of tune. During his rendition of "Hey Jude" (with waaay too much distortion) as he ran through the number using only three chords, I shouted out "D!". The man heard and played a D. How can one mess up playing such a simple tune? Wassuk.
Then, on the way home I met a man who's girlfriend (some years ago) wanted a threesome. The guy was bi' and said to me "I'll suck your cock." to which I replied, "No you won't". Repeatng he said "I'll suck your cock." "No you will not."
He had just bought a guitar and wanted me to teach him how to play it. Like they all do. No.
What a shite night. I could have been jamming on the beach with Cousin, or playing near to the translator/flutist whom I do so adore, alas no. I decided to get my old job back (which I managed) and attend some BS jam session. A very average evening all in all.
On the Flex,
Maxx.
Where the f- am I? What have I done today? The blogoholic strikes again. I refused the offer of two jam-sessions, just to stay in and have a curry chez Larry.
Anyway, needless to say I was dragged down the dive: the pub. My old residency and local.
I went to my local, shamed, disgraced, from having bailed-out sheepishly from the resident gig last Sunday. Bummer. I had to make my excuses to many regulars as well as the landlady.
The locals asked me to sing them a song. Me being me, I managed to squeeze my way back into favour, through playing a kick-ass set, sat at the bar. In full-view of all the base and common not to mention the high-brow clientele.
We then promtly headed to a house party, where people are playing off the wall scatty BS. Numerous acts played. Well I say 'played' and what I mean of course is 'make noise'. Electro. Tinny. Trebelly. Fizzy sounding. Monophonic not polyphonic, as acoustic music is. Fortunately there were a handful of fine women. Unfortunately two of them left, but another arrived. A woman I had met a while ago.
The piano player was good, but the upright had too many ringers. Man these 'guitarists' were ... average; and I mean, very average. Even before they had plugged-in, playing with their backing tracks, I affirmed my supremacy by playing a few ditties on "Lilly". One of the 'guitarists' said "I wish I could play like that." Of course, naturally.
The second act was some lone 'guitarist' who played very loud and out of tune. During his rendition of "Hey Jude" (with waaay too much distortion) as he ran through the number using only three chords, I shouted out "D!". The man heard and played a D. How can one mess up playing such a simple tune? Wassuk.
Then, on the way home I met a man who's girlfriend (some years ago) wanted a threesome. The guy was bi' and said to me "I'll suck your cock." to which I replied, "No you won't". Repeatng he said "I'll suck your cock." "No you will not."
He had just bought a guitar and wanted me to teach him how to play it. Like they all do. No.
What a shite night. I could have been jamming on the beach with Cousin, or playing near to the translator/flutist whom I do so adore, alas no. I decided to get my old job back (which I managed) and attend some BS jam session. A very average evening all in all.
On the Flex,
Maxx.
Musical Day
Dear Diary,
I arrived at Larry's and had a little trouble bringing the demijohn of Moonshine and forty-pint bucket full of old radio's and clothes through a busy town centre, complete with both Lillian and Gurty, hard-case and all.
So anyway, I dropped off my baggage at a friendly nearby house (Stig's place) then set-to busking. Alas, t'was a dreary day, and although I love making music, I couldn't abide it for very long. The rain drizzled. I was really clucking for some baccy. I did at least have a drop of Moonshine to warm the cockles. Aye.
When busking, the first drop is always the sweetest. It was soon followed by another, and another, both squids. One of the gentleman droppers was smartly dressed in a black suit with a black silk shirt and tie. The man had only recently moved here and was carrying classical guitar manuscript, notation. He introduced himself, everso well spoken, as well as I. Alas, I happily discovered the man was a Luthier. After exchanging numbers, he agreed to repair my ancient guitar. Excellent. The man admired Gurty. He really liked the look of Gertrude.
What else happened? Oh, another musician offered to take me to, and from, a gig tonight. I hate busking, it's too close to begging for my liking. I normally don't do open-mic' nights, there's no incentive. However, ever since my lull in gigs, I've been contemplating canvassing myself. Getting out there. This would provide just the opportunity. So, I agreed to go.
I encountered a half-caste lady I know, she offered to buy me lunch. We had bubble and squeek, over which we discussed philosophy and history. I met another man we both knew, another student with the University I attend. It was nice, not only the meal, but the company. The lady is coming to the gig tonight.
The queue at the shop was long, and as I fumbled clumsily for my change. The lady would've accepted the Gibraltarian piece or even the ten centime d'franc, but I like non-standard coins. Not to sell, but to melt-down for the metal and have Pangloss turn them into silver flowers.
Anyhow, the house needed a babysitter. As I negotiated the minefield of dog-pooh, I cut my hand on the rose bush. Bugger.
Now I must go and help Larry about the house again. Gladly. This Moonshine is beginning to kick-in. Rosy-red cheeks again. I don't know how on earth I am going to get all that brewing kit back home. I guess I'll hoof it.
On the Flex.
Max.
I arrived at Larry's and had a little trouble bringing the demijohn of Moonshine and forty-pint bucket full of old radio's and clothes through a busy town centre, complete with both Lillian and Gurty, hard-case and all.
So anyway, I dropped off my baggage at a friendly nearby house (Stig's place) then set-to busking. Alas, t'was a dreary day, and although I love making music, I couldn't abide it for very long. The rain drizzled. I was really clucking for some baccy. I did at least have a drop of Moonshine to warm the cockles. Aye.
When busking, the first drop is always the sweetest. It was soon followed by another, and another, both squids. One of the gentleman droppers was smartly dressed in a black suit with a black silk shirt and tie. The man had only recently moved here and was carrying classical guitar manuscript, notation. He introduced himself, everso well spoken, as well as I. Alas, I happily discovered the man was a Luthier. After exchanging numbers, he agreed to repair my ancient guitar. Excellent. The man admired Gurty. He really liked the look of Gertrude.
What else happened? Oh, another musician offered to take me to, and from, a gig tonight. I hate busking, it's too close to begging for my liking. I normally don't do open-mic' nights, there's no incentive. However, ever since my lull in gigs, I've been contemplating canvassing myself. Getting out there. This would provide just the opportunity. So, I agreed to go.
I encountered a half-caste lady I know, she offered to buy me lunch. We had bubble and squeek, over which we discussed philosophy and history. I met another man we both knew, another student with the University I attend. It was nice, not only the meal, but the company. The lady is coming to the gig tonight.
The queue at the shop was long, and as I fumbled clumsily for my change. The lady would've accepted the Gibraltarian piece or even the ten centime d'franc, but I like non-standard coins. Not to sell, but to melt-down for the metal and have Pangloss turn them into silver flowers.
Anyhow, the house needed a babysitter. As I negotiated the minefield of dog-pooh, I cut my hand on the rose bush. Bugger.
Now I must go and help Larry about the house again. Gladly. This Moonshine is beginning to kick-in. Rosy-red cheeks again. I don't know how on earth I am going to get all that brewing kit back home. I guess I'll hoof it.
On the Flex.
Max.
The Day
Dear Diary,
Washed and brushed, away I from the house, to work my business, my job, a self-employed musician. If I am to eat today I am to play, sweet music, in the hollow hall, abound with acoustic reverberations.
'Tis the final day that we may do the assignment, it's On the Flex already.
I am currently walking into town. The place buzzes with people, in spite of the spitting sky, aye, cats and dogs are waiting in buckets.
Maximus.
Washed and brushed, away I from the house, to work my business, my job, a self-employed musician. If I am to eat today I am to play, sweet music, in the hollow hall, abound with acoustic reverberations.
'Tis the final day that we may do the assignment, it's On the Flex already.
I am currently walking into town. The place buzzes with people, in spite of the spitting sky, aye, cats and dogs are waiting in buckets.
Maximus.
Wisdom
Whence came this wisdom? This ... philosophy?... I have a friend, a philosopher, and once upon a time we discussed whence the ancient knowledge came from. His 'line' of philosophers were correct, and it is well known that this line descended down to and from:
Isocrates (Socrates)
Platon (Plato)
Aristote (Aristotle)
Alexander (the Great)
But who taught who? As a keen historian and amateur philosopher, I have managed to track down the line of philosophers. Here are my results. They come, as per usual, from Lempriere's Classical Dictionary. (First printed way back in 1788...)
"THALES, one of the seven wise men of Greece born at Miletus in Ionia. He was descended from Cadmus; his father... was Examius, and his mother... Cleobula. Like the rest of the ancients, he travelled in quest of knowledge, and for some time resided in Crete, Phœnecia, and Egypt.
Under the priests of Memphis he was taught geometry, astronomy, and philosophy, and enabled to measure with exactness the vast height and extent of a pyramid.
His discoveries in astronomy were great and ingenious: he was the first who calculated with accuracy a solar eclipse. He discovered the solstices and equinoxes, he divided the heavens into five zones, and recommended the division of the year into 365 days, which was universally adopted by the Egyptian philosophy.
Like Homer, he looked upon water as the principle of every thing. [Max: In science, is it not proven beyond all doubt that water is the source of all life?...]
He was the founder of the Ionic sect, which distinguished itself for its deep and abstruse speculations under the successors and pupils of the Milesian philosopher, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Anaxagoras, and Archelaus the master of Socrates.
Thales was never married, and when his mother pressed him to chose a wife, he said he was too young. The same exhortations were afterwards repeated, but the philosopher eluded them by observing, that he was then too old to enter the matramonial state. He died in the ninety-sixth year of his state, about 548... [B. C.]
His compositions on philosophy are lost. [Unfortunately]."
Lempriere, J. (1845 [1788]) ...Classical Dictionary, Allman, London, pages 664-5.
I believe that (non-withstanding the other six wise men and also the priests of Memphis) Thales was the original philosopher...
"ANAXIMANDER, a Milesian philosopher, the companion and disciple of Thales. He was the first who constructed spheres, asserted that the earth was of a cylindrical form, and taught that men were born of earth and water mixed together, and heated by the beams of the sun, [Anaximander also asserted] that the earth moved, and that the moon received light from the sun.
He made the first geographical maps and sun-dials. He died in the sixty-fourth year of his age."
Lempriere, J. (1845 [1788]) ...Classical Dictionary, Allman, London, page 48.
Quite a few achievements so far. Voltaire said of the Greek atomists that 'they stood on the brink of the abyss'. Evidently they had some far-out theories, but I've emboldened the key-note advances that ring true today. Next philosopher from the line of wisdom comes...
"ANAXIMENES, a philosopher, son of Erasistratus. He was the disciple of Anaximander, and succeeded him in his school.
He said that the air was the cause of every created being, and a self-existent divinity, and the sun, the moon, and the stars, had been made from earth. He died [in] 504 years B. C."
Lempriere, J. (1845 [1788]) ...Classical Dictionary, Allman, London, page 48.
"ANAXAGORAS" A Clazomenian philosopher, son of Hegesibulus, disciple to Anaximenes, and preceptor to Socrates and Euripides. He disregarded wealth and honours, to indulge his fondness for meditation and philosophy. He applied himself to astronomy, was acquainted with eclipses, and predicted that one day a stone would fall from the sun, which it is said really fell into the river Ægos.
Anaxagoras travelled into Egypt for improvement, and used to say that he preferred a grain of wisdom to heaps of gold. Pericles was in the number of his pupils, and often consulted him in matters of state; and often dissuaded him from starving himself to death. The ideas of Anaxagoras concerning the heavens the heavens were wild and extravagant.
He supposed that the sun was inflammable matter about the bigness of Peloponnesus, and that the moon was inhabited. The heavens he believed to be of stone, and the earth of similar materials. He was accused of impiety, and was condemned to death: be he ridiculed the sentence, and said it had been long pronounced upon him by nature. Being asked whether his body be carried into his own country, he answered, No, as the road that led to the other side of the grave, was long from one place to another.
When the people of Lampsacus asked him before his death whether he wished any thing to be done in commemoration of him? - Yes, says he, let the boys be allowed to play on the anniversary of my death. This was carefully observed, and that the time dedicated to recreation, was Anaxagoreia. He died in his seventy-second year, [in] 428 B. C. His writings were not much esteemed by his pupil Socrates." (Diogenes in vita. - Plutarch in Nicia & Pericles - Cicero Acad. Q. 4 c. 23. Tusc. 1, c. 23.)
Lempriere, J. (1845 [1788]) ...Classical Dictionary, Allman, London, page 47.
"ARCHELAUS"... A Greek philosopher, who wrote a history of animals, and maintained that goats breathed not through the nostrils, but through the ears." (Pliny 8. c.50)
Lempriere, J. (1845 [1788]) ...Classical Dictionary, Allman, London, page 74.
"ARCHETIMUS", the first philosophical writer in the age of the seven wise men of Greece." (Diogenes) [page 75 of Lempriere...]
So, the historical line of philosophers: pedagogues and pupils runs thus...
The Egyptian priests of Memphis (and Archetimus?)
Thales
Anaximander
Anaximenes
Anaxagoras (and Archelaus?)
Socrates
Plato
Aristotle (and Architas?)
Alexander the Great.
...Interestingly, I found this other philosopher:
"ARCHITAS" The son of Hestiæus of Tarentum, was a follower of Pythagorean philosophy, and an able astronomer and geometrician. He redeemed his master, Plato, from the hands of the tyrant Dionysius, and for his virtues was seven times chosen by his fellow-citizens governor of Tarentum.
He invented some mathematical instruments, and made a wooden pigeon which could fly. He perished in a shipwreck, about 394 years [B. C.]. He is also the reputed inventor of the screw and pulley. [Only] a fragment of his writings have beem preserved by Porphyry." [page 77 Lempriere...]
Another man by the same name was "Architas, a musician of Mitlyene, who wrote treatise on agriculture."
Maximus Fleximus.
Isocrates (Socrates)
Platon (Plato)
Aristote (Aristotle)
Alexander (the Great)
But who taught who? As a keen historian and amateur philosopher, I have managed to track down the line of philosophers. Here are my results. They come, as per usual, from Lempriere's Classical Dictionary. (First printed way back in 1788...)
"THALES, one of the seven wise men of Greece born at Miletus in Ionia. He was descended from Cadmus; his father... was Examius, and his mother... Cleobula. Like the rest of the ancients, he travelled in quest of knowledge, and for some time resided in Crete, Phœnecia, and Egypt.
Under the priests of Memphis he was taught geometry, astronomy, and philosophy, and enabled to measure with exactness the vast height and extent of a pyramid.
His discoveries in astronomy were great and ingenious: he was the first who calculated with accuracy a solar eclipse. He discovered the solstices and equinoxes, he divided the heavens into five zones, and recommended the division of the year into 365 days, which was universally adopted by the Egyptian philosophy.
Like Homer, he looked upon water as the principle of every thing. [Max: In science, is it not proven beyond all doubt that water is the source of all life?...]
He was the founder of the Ionic sect, which distinguished itself for its deep and abstruse speculations under the successors and pupils of the Milesian philosopher, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Anaxagoras, and Archelaus the master of Socrates.
Thales was never married, and when his mother pressed him to chose a wife, he said he was too young. The same exhortations were afterwards repeated, but the philosopher eluded them by observing, that he was then too old to enter the matramonial state. He died in the ninety-sixth year of his state, about 548... [B. C.]
His compositions on philosophy are lost. [Unfortunately]."
Lempriere, J. (1845 [1788]) ...Classical Dictionary, Allman, London, pages 664-5.
I believe that (non-withstanding the other six wise men and also the priests of Memphis) Thales was the original philosopher...
"ANAXIMANDER, a Milesian philosopher, the companion and disciple of Thales. He was the first who constructed spheres, asserted that the earth was of a cylindrical form, and taught that men were born of earth and water mixed together, and heated by the beams of the sun, [Anaximander also asserted] that the earth moved, and that the moon received light from the sun.
He made the first geographical maps and sun-dials. He died in the sixty-fourth year of his age."
Lempriere, J. (1845 [1788]) ...Classical Dictionary, Allman, London, page 48.
Quite a few achievements so far. Voltaire said of the Greek atomists that 'they stood on the brink of the abyss'. Evidently they had some far-out theories, but I've emboldened the key-note advances that ring true today. Next philosopher from the line of wisdom comes...
"ANAXIMENES, a philosopher, son of Erasistratus. He was the disciple of Anaximander, and succeeded him in his school.
He said that the air was the cause of every created being, and a self-existent divinity, and the sun, the moon, and the stars, had been made from earth. He died [in] 504 years B. C."
Lempriere, J. (1845 [1788]) ...Classical Dictionary, Allman, London, page 48.
"ANAXAGORAS" A Clazomenian philosopher, son of Hegesibulus, disciple to Anaximenes, and preceptor to Socrates and Euripides. He disregarded wealth and honours, to indulge his fondness for meditation and philosophy. He applied himself to astronomy, was acquainted with eclipses, and predicted that one day a stone would fall from the sun, which it is said really fell into the river Ægos.
Anaxagoras travelled into Egypt for improvement, and used to say that he preferred a grain of wisdom to heaps of gold. Pericles was in the number of his pupils, and often consulted him in matters of state; and often dissuaded him from starving himself to death. The ideas of Anaxagoras concerning the heavens the heavens were wild and extravagant.
He supposed that the sun was inflammable matter about the bigness of Peloponnesus, and that the moon was inhabited. The heavens he believed to be of stone, and the earth of similar materials. He was accused of impiety, and was condemned to death: be he ridiculed the sentence, and said it had been long pronounced upon him by nature. Being asked whether his body be carried into his own country, he answered, No, as the road that led to the other side of the grave, was long from one place to another.
When the people of Lampsacus asked him before his death whether he wished any thing to be done in commemoration of him? - Yes, says he, let the boys be allowed to play on the anniversary of my death. This was carefully observed, and that the time dedicated to recreation, was Anaxagoreia. He died in his seventy-second year, [in] 428 B. C. His writings were not much esteemed by his pupil Socrates." (Diogenes in vita. - Plutarch in Nicia & Pericles - Cicero Acad. Q. 4 c. 23. Tusc. 1, c. 23.)
Lempriere, J. (1845 [1788]) ...Classical Dictionary, Allman, London, page 47.
"ARCHELAUS"... A Greek philosopher, who wrote a history of animals, and maintained that goats breathed not through the nostrils, but through the ears." (Pliny 8. c.50)
Lempriere, J. (1845 [1788]) ...Classical Dictionary, Allman, London, page 74.
"ARCHETIMUS", the first philosophical writer in the age of the seven wise men of Greece." (Diogenes) [page 75 of Lempriere...]
So, the historical line of philosophers: pedagogues and pupils runs thus...
The Egyptian priests of Memphis (and Archetimus?)
Thales
Anaximander
Anaximenes
Anaxagoras (and Archelaus?)
Socrates
Plato
Aristotle (and Architas?)
Alexander the Great.
...Interestingly, I found this other philosopher:
"ARCHITAS" The son of Hestiæus of Tarentum, was a follower of Pythagorean philosophy, and an able astronomer and geometrician. He redeemed his master, Plato, from the hands of the tyrant Dionysius, and for his virtues was seven times chosen by his fellow-citizens governor of Tarentum.
He invented some mathematical instruments, and made a wooden pigeon which could fly. He perished in a shipwreck, about 394 years [B. C.]. He is also the reputed inventor of the screw and pulley. [Only] a fragment of his writings have beem preserved by Porphyry." [page 77 Lempriere...]
Another man by the same name was "Architas, a musician of Mitlyene, who wrote treatise on agriculture."
Maximus Fleximus.
Composition
I wrote the transposition, passing chord and key change to the relative minor, but Grant wrote this originally. The main theme is by McCormick.
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