Final answer:
The interpretation of 'Everything is full of gods' as panpsychist or hylozoist in the context of pre-Thales societies is complex. Pre-Socratic thought, which emerged before explicit distinctions in metaphysical positions such as panpsychism and hylozoism, would likely resist simple categorical assignments due to the diverse and speculative nature of early philosophy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether the interpretation of 'Everything is full of gods' is more generally accepted in academia as panpsychist or hylozoist pertains to the metaphysical inclinations among societies predating Thales. In historical philosophy research, a panpsychist perspective would suggest that all things have a mental aspect or a type of consciousness, whereas a hylozoist approach implies that all matter has life.
Given the inherent speculative nature of these early philosophies and the broad brushstrokes with which we understand pre-Socratic thought, attributions of either panpsychism or hylozoism to pre-Thales societies would likely be contentious, as these interpretations might oversimplify the nuanced and diverse beliefs of those times.
The Pre-Socratics, who were the early metaphysicians, indeed delved into questions about the universe and the origins of things. They suggested a cosmos where everything is ordered and intelligible. However, it's important to apply a contextualist approach when interpreting their beliefs, considering the historical and cultural contexts of their times to avoid anachronistic errors.
The field of metaphysics itself would later be greatly refined by figures such as Plato and Aristotle, incorporating differing views of the natural world, from monism to pluralism. Nonetheless, most pre-Socratic philosophers shared a belief in the underlying coherence and order of the universe, which could be considered a common thread that might align with both hylozoist and panpsychist thinking, depending on the interpretation of the existing fragments from their works.