Straton of Stageira

Straton of Stageira (311 - 254 BC) was an Ancient Greek philosopher known for his empirical views. A sharp figure disliked by his peers, he is best known for creating the ideas behind the Talos Principle, which states that there are certain inescapable facts of life and existence, and that what consists of the definition of humanity can be reduced to elements of mechanics.

Biography

Straton of Stageira, as seen in Raphael's "The School of Athens"

Straton was born c. 311 BC in ancient Stageira, on the peninsula of Chalkidiki during the Hellenistic Greek period. Little is known about Stratos' own life, but he was said to have traveled far during it, reaching places beyond even the world of Ancient Greece. It was speculated that his observations during this period, seeing aspects of humanity that were universal across all humans, would inform him later in life in his materialist philosophies.

Much of his philosophies centered around the assertion that there must be truth in life, and it can be found with basic reasoning and observation. At the same time, Straton rejected many of the philosophers of his day which emphasized belief, whom he felt would often "begin not with observation of the cosmos as it surrounds us, but with a conclusion already in mind," beginning with assumptions rather than observations of what was truthful. He even argued with Aristotle, whom was also born in Stageira, although he often still respected the man, creating commentaries on him.

This position, and his outspokenness on it, would cause many of his peers to despise him. Despite this, many considered his commentaries on Aristotle to be an important work, and his many philosophies would form the basis for empirical thought. Among some of his works are an argument which would become known as The Talos Principle; On Beginnings; and numerous other works which would become known as his fragments.

Straton died c. 254 BC.

The Talos Principle

In 260 BC, Straton would create one of his most famous arguments on truth. In it, he brought up the mythical figure of Talos, an automaton with a single vein with fluid that acted like blood, which caused him to die when it was released from his body. Straton remarked that Talos, although he was made of metal and no "real" blood, still contained many properties of mankind in thoughts, feelings, and even in the need for blood, and could thus be considered a person. In turn, Straton noted that if a machine could have all the capabilities of a man, then man may likewise be viewed as a machine. He followed this by stating that, regardless of all the philosophies of reality, no man could live without blood, and that that remains an unavoidable truth.

This idea would eventually formulate into the Talos Principle, an empirical point on universal truth of how no man can live without blood. The arguments and ideas behind it would confound and refute many of the ideas put forth by his contemporaries, as the principle "cut through their rhetorical web...like Alexander's sword through the Gordian Knot." This term would also become the name for later collections of his works and philosophies, although Straton himself never used the term.

The Talos Principle would also be a point of discussion on what distinguishes animals from mankind and mankind from machines, regarding concepts like the soul and consciousness. In the modern age, this would become especially prescient with regard to concepts like artificial intelligence.

Legacy

Following his death, other philosophers would continue to discuss his ideas, although not as much as Aristotle. Diogenes Laertius mentioned a lost work by Anaximander of Chalcedon that expanded greatly on the Talos Principle.

At some point, much of Straton's writings were destroyed during the destruction of the Great Library of Alexandria, possibly contributing to his comparable lack of popularity. He would retain a somewhat strong following, however, and was depicted in Raphael's "The School of Athens" among many other notable Ancient Greek philosophers. The Talos Principle also remained a common point for reference among philosophers.

In the 20th century, into the 21st, several collections of his works would be published, often titled as just "The Talos Principle," with accompanying essays on Straton. These editions included one from Penguin Books, one with an introduction by "notorious imbecile" Professor J. Schofield, and one from Wordsworth Classics. In 1979, a film from Oxyrhynchus Documentaries Ltd. would be produced examining Straton and his philosophies.

Straton of Stageira Blog

In mid-2012, a blog titled "Straton of Stageira" began posting on Wordpress, published by an unknown fan of Straton who studied philosophy and literature. In each blog post, the poster would give their opinions on certain compilations of Straton's works, along with thoughts on other works, ideas, and incidents in relation to Straton and his philosophies.

In late 2014, following the game's release, the blogger suddenly acknowledged its real-life existence, and even went on to make a review of it. This seemingly disconnected the blogger from the in-game universe of The Talos Principle, implying more directly that they were within the real world or that the game itself was a product of his universe, as a fictional work based on this philosopher. In later posts, the blogger acknowledged accusations of them and Straton as being fictional concoctions for the game. Initially, they dismissed these, saying it's "just a game," and that the blog was just something they made that failed to get anywhere.

In the blog's last post as of 2023, posted in mid-2015, the blogger noted once again how people had accused the blog of being a false front, and how some have asked them to provide proof of their existence or of Straton's existence. The blogger wrote they were initially planning to, but reconsidered in the spirit of Straton. They explained that it should be possible for the reader to discover the truth about the blog or Straton on their own, just by reason and assessment of the facts. They conclude by telling the reader that the blog should serve as a reminder for the need to question and consider what is before us.

Extended Lifespan Project

Straton's works were brought into the Archives of IAN's Extended Lifespan project. During the development of the project, Alexandra Drennan took the Talos Principle to mean how fragile humans could be, and how the extinction situation presented by the Plague is something unavoidable. As such, the concept inspires the Talos project, creating a legacy for humanity through AI iterations. The principle would also inspire the name of the project, originally to be called Soma, after consideration and frustration with creating a backronym for Soma.

By the time the Child first comes into existence, after possibly thousands of years of iterations, much of the Archives have deteriorated. However, parts of Straton's works have managed to remain, including the Talos Principle itself.

Trivia

• Straton of Stageira may have been inspired by Strato of Lampascus, a student of Aristotle who examined much of the natural sciences in Aristotle's works and placed research first and foremost ahead of any other belief. However, most of their histories and areas of study are different otherwise.
• In Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem, an easter egg for The Talos Principle and Straton specifically can be found in the first level, with a book titled The Selected Works of Straton of Stageira, published by "Worsewords Classics".
  • A reference to The Talos Principle documentary video can also be found on the book, as the compiler, Athanasios Kyratzes, was also credited as the narrator and writer for that video.
• In the video and on the covers for the Wordsworth Classics books, an orange-robed figure from Raphael's "The School of Athens", as seen to the right of Aristotle, is shown, implying that the figure is a depiction of him. In reality, it is unknown who the figure meant to depict, if it is meant to depict anyone.