The foundation has been named after the pre-socratic philosopher Parmenides, who lived and taught in Elea, Lower Italy in the 5th century B.C.. Parmenides was the first philosopher who inquired systematically into the relation between thinking and reality, and the power of logical thought.

Research is organised at the „Parmenides Center for the Study of Thinking“ (PCST) that initially was set up in cooperation with the Human Science Center of the Ludwig Maximilian University Munich. The center is intended to provide a supportive infrastructure for interdisciplinary research on human thinking. Research and teaching at the PCST thus aim to integrate the perspectives of the neuro- and cognitive sciences, experimental and developmental psychology, evolutionary biology, theoretical physics, and philosophy.

The foundation also aims to apply findings in basic research to the development of innovative educational programs and software-based tools to support and enhance thinking skills.

The threefold focus of the Parmenides Foundation is represented in its 3 pillars: Research, Education, Application.

The international Parmenides faculty currently comprises 35 renowned scientists who represent the broad range of disciplines that is required in scientific research on human cognition and thinking.

Since its formation the Parmenides Foundation has been organizing an ongoing series of workshops, talks and conferences on the topic of human thinking with the objective to going beyond disciplinary boundaries and breaking new ground.