Quynh Duffy

Classics 8

ICW #1

10/05/23

Pre-Socratic Philosophy

Source: “Those things which there is sight, hearing, knowledge: these are what I honour
most (Heraclitus, 22B55).

Transliteration: It is important to trust what is observed in the physical world, as well as

using reason to gain further knowledge. Nothing in the mind can be trusted without examples in
the physical world.

Critique: The purpose of the brain is to make sense of what is seen, heard, or felt (“How
does the brain work?”) If the senses are incorrect, then so is the mind. Only the mind can
understand the senses, therefore, no information from the physical world can be used without it.

It is impossible to deny the senses and rely only on reason. Without experiencing the
world, there is no way to know whether anything exists, including consciousness. Anyone who
claims the physical world can’t be trusted is also claiming that their own existence can’t be
trusted, therefore denying the correctness of reason.

The question of whether or not our senses are reliable is very old, however it is still being
disputed to this day. This is a perfect example of why many ideas of the pre-Socratics are still
important. It is crucial to look at the way people thought in the past to solve modern issues.

Other sources: “How does the brain work?.” IQWig. September 29th, 2021.
www.informedhealth.org/how-does-the-brain-work.html