Final answer:
Thales of Miletus was considered one of the founders of Western civilization due to his contributions to science and philosophy. His astronomical knowledge and ability to predict a solar eclipse, as well as his practical applications of geometry, set the foundation for future scientific inquiry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thales of Miletus is considered one of the founders of Western civilization due to his contributions to both science and philosophy. He is known for his astronomical knowledge, including predicting a solar eclipse. Thales also used basic geometry to measure the height of the pyramids. His philosophy of water as the fundamental substance of the universe and his belief in the immortality of the soul demonstrate his concern with the nature of reality. Thales' practical, scientific, and mathematical knowledge of the natural world set the foundation for future scientific inquiry.