Parmenides of Elea

1.      Why is this person important?

Parmenides of Elea is a Greek philosopher who lived in Italy. He was not only a philosopher but also a poet and a scientist. One reason why he is so important is because he is said to have founded the first medical school along with 3 other people. (There is still some controversy on whether this is true or not). This medical school created a basis for Western medicine and used the information from great scientist and philosophers like Galileo. Parmenides of Elea not only affected the medical world but also western philosophy. Thus he is important because his ideas still affect the modern world.

2.      Why did you choose this person? How does her/his life relate to you?

         I chose this Parmenides of Elea because he is thought to have been one of the founders of the first medical school and he is a great philosopher. These two subjects affect my life a lot. I say this because though I am undeclared; I feel that maybe I would like to go onto the medical field track. I have been thinking about becoming an oncologist. Thus Parmenides had a huge effect on a field that may be a part of my everyday life. He is also a philosopher which has always interested me.

3.      If she/he had never existed, would the world be different from how we know it now? Why?

         If he never existed I imagine that philosophers that have heard of his ideas would not have been able to develop some of their own ideas. I say this because philosophers usually use the ideas presented before them to make their own opinions, that could be to disagree, agree or to even improve upon an idea made before them. If he never existed the first medical school may have not been created when it did.

4.      If you could meet that person, what would you ask her/him?

         If I could meet this person I would ask them what he thinks of the world now especially with all of the advances made. I would ask him if all of this technology is just another mask for what reality is as one of his ideas was that perception hides reality.

5.      Do you think the fact this person was Italian played a role in his/her achievement?

         I believe so because at the time there were so many developments in the Italian society thus I feel that he had so many ideas to create his own philosophies off of.