pre-Socratic

[ pree-suh-krat-ik, -soh- ]

/ ˌpri səˈkræt ɪk, -soʊ- /

of or relating to the philosophers or philosophical systems of the period before the Socratic period.

any philosopher of this period.

Origin of pre-Socratic

First recorded in 1870–75

He is never able to reconcile the first causes of the pre-Socratic philosophers with the final causes of Socrates himself.

Timaeus |Plato
Moreover, Thales propounded the problem, and determined the direction and character, of all pre-Socratic philosophy.

A Critical History of Greek Philosophy |W. T. Stace
Many, if not all the elements of the Pre-Socratic philosophy are included in the Timaeus.

Timaeus |Plato
The Pre-Socratic philosophies are simpler, and we may observe a progress in them; but is there any regular succession?

Sophist |Plato

The universal tendency of the pre-Socratic philosophy is to find some principle for the explanation of nature.

A History of Philosophy in Epitome |Albert Schwegler