Thales is considered the first Greek physikos (natural philosopher), the “first… to have revealed the investigation of nature to the Greeks”. Aristotle named him “the founder of this philosophy”. He called him the “first wise man”, the “wisest” of the Seven Wise Men. Both during his lifetime and after death, he was to enjoy panhellenic respect and admiration. It is not certain, whether he was the author of certain studies (Nautical Star Guide and On the Solstice and the Equinox). Even if they may have been his, they have not survived.
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Vamvacas, C.J. (2009). Thales of Miletus (ca. 625–546 B.C.). In: The Founders of Western Thought – The Presocratics. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science, vol 257. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9791-1_4
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