Abstract:

In this study, we have analyzed Parmenides’ Peri Phuseus, one of the founding texts of Western thought. By focusing on the factors that gave rise to this text of Parmenides, we have examined the initial phase of Ancient Greek philosophy to reveal Parmenides’ organic connection with the thinkers who came before him. We also answered the question of whether ancient Greek philosophy was completely separate from the cosmogonic and mythological phases. We emphasized the connection of the issues Parmenides addressed in his thought with the mythological and cosmogonic phases and we explained Peri Phuseus responds to the questions raised by the mythological and cosmogonic phases. We evaluated some of the interpretations of the Peri Phuseus and revealed how it has been received in different ways over time. We have pointed out that these interpretations, fail to capture what was intended by the writing of the Peri Phuseus. We also emphasized that Parmenides did not write the Peri Phuseus as a mental exercise or to open a new debate on existence. We pointed that Parmenides confronted his interlocutor with concrete solution proposals. In this context, we defended the thesis that the Peri Phuseus is a text containing thoughts that will form the basis of polis life.