Summary Ancient thinkers provided the foundations of the philosophical process, examining the universe’s purpose, as well as humankind’s place within it. Ancient and Hellenistic Thought covers pre-Socratic, Classical, and Hellenistic philosophers and their theories, illuminating some of the first and most enduring answers given about the nature of the world and those who live in it. It begins by exploring the questions posed by the pre-Socratics, the pioneers of scientific investigation: How did the world come into being? What is the world made of? Why is the world always changing? The Classical and Hellenistic thinkers moved away from the study of the universe to consider human beings, asking, What is a meaningful life? What happens after I die? Is there a God? What is the soul? Their profound answers to these inquiries have enlightened for more than 2,000 years.