There is absolutely no verifiable historical, archeological, artistic or textual evidence that Greek Philosophy "was inherited from the Minoans"...NONE.
While Minoan Crete was an impressive civilization dating back AT LEAST 4000 years, our contemporary knowledge of Ancient Crete is only about 100-150 years old dating back to British Archeological expeditions led by Sir Arthur Evans. Crete's Linear A tablets remain indecipherable and as of now, we only have architectural ruins and frescoes, as well as some skeletal remains-(which interestingly, closely correspond with the DNA of many contemporary Cretans).
We know that Minoan Crete was probably the First major Maritime Power of the greater Mediterranean sea region for AT LEAST 300 years-(1900-1600 BC/BCE). Although DNA tests do show a close genetic match between Modern Cretans and Ancient Cretans, we still do not know the exact ethnic or ethno-linguistic origins of the Minoans-(except for the fact that the Minoan tablets do not appear to be Semitic or Egyptian Hieroglyphics....though they don't seem to have any linguistic connection with Mycenean Greek either). In other words, the Ancient Cretan language continues to remain a mystery. However, to make a HUGE historical leap and say that indecipherable Cretan tablets served as the influence or basis for Greek Philosophy-(which doesn't come on the chronological scene until 1000 years AFTER the destruction of Minoan Crete in 1600 BC/BCE), is intellectually irresponsible and such a theory needs to be reexamined within the proper historical (and even archeological) context.
Greek Philosophy began with Thales of Miletus in 600 BC/BCE, on the Anatolian, West Asian coast-(present-day Turkey), 1000 years AFTER the destruction of Minoan Crete and approximately 175 years BEFORE Socrates. Unfortunately, we do not have any extant writings from Thales or his students-(their legacy was preserved in the lectures of Aristotle, who lived 250 years after Thales). And to the best of my knowledge Aristotle rarely, if ever, discussed the culture of Minoan Crete-(Even Crete's native son, Epimenides-(and his Liar Paradox..."I am lying, trust me!"), came on the philosophical scene over 1000 years AFTER Minoan Crete).
It should also be noted that the Greco-Mycenaeans, did NOT "steal high culture" from the Minoans...there is no evidence to prove this, except for random legends and conjectures. It is true that Zeus was born on the island of Crete, though Dionysus, to the best of my knowledge, originally came from the East and not from Crete. As for the so-called Minoan City-State, this is historically incorrect. The concept of the City-State, (specifically, the Athenian City-State), came from and originated with, the Hellenic mainland centuries AFTER the destruction of Ancient Crete. The political landscape of Ancient Crete, was a Monarchy-(perhaps even an imperial Monarchy) that was based in the city of Knossos. However, Minoan Crete did not have an early version of a Parliament, a Ministerial Bureaucracy or Juridical institutions. As far as we know, Minoan Crete, was a Sea Power largely governed and administered by a King who ruled from a city, though presided over a mostly rural landscape and population.
It is certainly tempting to discredit or historically contextualize Greek Philosophy and Philosophers. Traditional views of Greek Philosophy and Philosophers were often portrayed as truly creative Originalists, who had very little or no external influences. Conversely, since the early years of Political Correctness, it was common to belittle the creativity and originality of the Greek Philosophers, while extoling their so-called Egyptian, Persian, Babylonian (and even Indian) influences. The real answer, is that it was a little of both. The myriad of Greek Philosophy does show us a series of Thinkers who were as diverse in their thought, as they were in their geographical origins. Yet, at the same time, each of the Greek Philosophers were quite original in their views and justifications for such views. The History of Greek Philosophy cannot be oversimplified as a compilation of "stolen" texts and ideas; rather, it was a compilation of texts and ideas that had some external influencing and subsequent incorporation into a newer and more refined system of ideas and thoughts. This was true for the Greek Philosophers and their legacy, but, it was also true for their Mycenaean Forefathers and their legacy.
(NOTE: "The Minoans traveled to Britain and Norway and traded with the Swedes"....Really?...Where is your historical and archeological proof?)
