Anaxagoras, then, brings together many of the themes we have seen in other Pre-Socratic philosophers, but he offers a bridge to Socrates and post-Socratic philosophy as well. With Anaxagoras we have brought philosophy to Athens, seen another response to Parmenides, and also been reminded of the grand cosmic theories of the Milesians. Along with the Eleatics and the atomists, Anaxagoras exemplifies the ambitious system-building that we find in fifth-century BC philosophy up until Socrates, and even during Socrates’ own lifetime, for instance with the development of Leucippus’ atomism at the
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