Final answer:
The primary interests of the first Greek philosophers centered on using reason and logic to understand the world and society, developing moral and ethical codes, and debating political philosophy without empirical experimentation. Their approach missed some scientific discoveries, such as the atomic theory proposed by Democritus, which they rejected due to their non-experimental methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first Greek philosophers were primarily interested in understanding the nature of the world through reason and logic, rather than through experiment and observation. They engaged in discussions concerning the physical makeup of the world, the composition of matter, and the construction of ethical and political standards, such as those existing within the Greek polis and forms of governance like democracy and tyranny. They pondered whether these standards and institutions were determined by nature or were simply social customs that evolved over time.
Philosophers like Socrates emphasized seeking answers to life's questions through reason, accepting only ideas that could withstand criticism and be stated clearly. The Sophists, another group of early philosophers, believed in the relativity of truth and focused on educating Greeks on successful argumentation and rhetoric, deeming human beliefs and customs as mere societal habits. Greek thought made significant advancements in the development of moral and ethical codes, political theory, and understanding human motivations, without the support of empirical experimentation.
However, due to their lack of experimental methodology, Greek philosophers often dismissed theories such as Democritus' atomos, which would not be appreciated until many centuries later. Their focus on intellectual debate over practical demonstration shaped the evolution of Western philosophy, politics, and science.