Why were the Ionian reffered to as cosmologist?

Answer 1

The Ionians, particularly the thinkers from Miletus like Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes, were referred to as cosmologists because they sought to understand the nature and origins of the universe through rational explanations rather than mythological accounts. They explored fundamental questions about matter, change, and the principles governing the cosmos, laying the groundwork for philosophy and science. Their inquiries into the nature of reality marked a significant shift towards systematic observation and reasoning in the study of the universe.