In 585 BC, the early Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus proposed that water is the fundamental substance underlying all matter. This idea marked a significant shift in philosophical thought, moving away from mythological explanations of the world towards a more rational, scientific approach. Thales' assertion laid the groundwork for future philosophical inquiry and the development of natural philosophy, influencing generations of thinkers in the pursuit of understanding the universe.

Thales' proposition about water as the primary substance influenced early Greek philosophers and poets, such as Heraclitus, who explored the nature of existence. This philosophical inquiry laid the groundwork for poetic reflections on the cosmos and humanity's relationship with nature.