1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Greek philosophers who lived before Socrates (5th century BCE)
Usage: often capitalized; academic/historical context

1. a Greek philosopher who lived before Socrates
Usage: often capitalized; academic/historical context

Examples

• Presocratic philosophers like Thales and Heraclitus explored the nature of reality and change.
• The presocratic thinkers made important contributions to early Western philosophy.
• Parmenides was a major presocratic figure whose ideas influenced later philosophers.
• Studying the presocratics helps us understand the origins of Western thought.
• The presocratic period ended with the rise of Socrates in Athens.