The Eleatic, and his Poem, constitute a beacon whose light illumined Plato and even Aristotle, and consequently all the philosophers that followed.
Parmenides laid down several fundamental philosophical principles:
1. The Being as foundation of all the existent
2. The principle of identity, Being is identical to itself
3. The principle of non-contradiction
4. The principle of a-temporality or eternal present
5. An initiatory philosophical vision of an experimental order
This vision was taken up by Plato and others down to Plotinus and beyond, while staying in the Classical Greek tradition.
For Parmenides the primary aim is the research for the ultimate Truth, and he is: he who has introduced the mortals to the straight path of wisdom, and:
«...here immediately through the gate the maidens steered the chariot and the mares straight onto the road.
:The Goddess kindly welcomed me and took my right hand in hers and addressing me she uttered so:
Oh young companion, led by the mares and immortal charioteers, you come to our home: rejoice, for no adverse Moira sent you to travel this path which is far from the way traveled by men but Temis and Dike»
The transition from one state of consciousness to another higher one, in a completely objectivistic society, is a revolutionary event, and also of this consists Parmenides greatness and his importance for contemporary life.