The PreSocratics

Transcription

The PreSocratics

The PreSocratics
An Overview
PDF generated using the open source mwlib toolkit. See http://code.pediapress.com/ for more information.
PDF generated at: Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:07:22 UTC
Contents
Articles
Introduction
1
Pre-Socratic philosophy
1
Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks
4
Classical element
9
Ionian School (philosophy)
15
Paired opposites
18
Material monism
21
Diogenes Laërtius
21
Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers
23
The Milesians
27
Milesian school
27
Thales
29
Anaximander
40
Anaximenes of Miletus
51
Pythagoreanism
53
Pythagoreanism
53
Pythagoras
59
Philolaus
70
Alcmaeon of Croton
72
Archytas
75
Ephesian School
78
Heraclitus
78
Eleatic School
89
Eleatics
89
Xenophanes
90
Parmenides
93
Zeno of Elea
100
Zeno's paradoxes
102
Melissus
109
Pluralists
110
Pluralist school
110
Empedocles
111
Anaxagoras
118
Atomists
122
Atomism
122
Leucippus
132
Democritus
134
The Sophists
144
Sophism
144
Protagoras
148
Gorgias
150
Hippias
155
Prodicus
156
The Seven Sages
160
Seven Sages of Greece
160
Solon
162
Chilon of Sparta
176
Bias of Priene
178
Cleobulus
180
Pittacus of Mytilene
181
Periander
182
Others
184
Diogenes of Apollonia
184
Aristeas
185
Pherecydes of Syros
187
Anacharsis
191
References
Article Sources and Contributors
194
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
199
Article Licenses
License
201
1
Introduction
Pre-Socratic philosophy is Greek philosophy before Socrates. In Classical antiquity, the Presocratic philosophers
were called physiologoi (in English, physical or natural philosophers).[1] Diogenes Laërtius divides the physiologoi
into two groups, Ionian and Italiote, led by Anaximander and Pythagoras, respectively.[2]
Hermann Diels popularized the term pre-socratic in Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker (The Fragments of the
Pre-Socratics) in 1903. However, the term pre-Sokratic was in use as early as George Grote's Plato and the Other
Companions of Sokrates in 1865. Major analyses of pre-Socratic thought have been made by Gregory Vlastos,
Jonathan Barnes, and Friedrich Nietzsche in his Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks.
It may sometimes be difficult to determine the actual line of argument some Presocratics used in supporting their
particular views. While most of them produced significant texts, none of the texts has survived in complete form. All
that is available are quotations by later philosophers (often biased) and historians, and the occasional textual
fragment.
The Presocratic philosophers rejected traditional mythological explanations of the phenomena they saw around them
in favor of more rational explanations. These philosophers asked questions about "the essence of things":[3]
•
•
•
•
From where does everything come?
From what is everything created?
How do we explain the plurality of things found in nature?
How might we describe nature mathematically?
Others concentrated on defining problems and paradoxes that became the basis for later mathematical, scientific and
philosophic study.
Later philosophers rejected many of the answers the early Greek philosophers provided, but continued to place
importance on their questions. Furthermore, the cosmologies proposed by them have been updated by later
developments in science.
History
Western philosophy began in ancient
Greece in the 6th century BCE. The
Presocratics were mostly from the
eastern or western fringes of the Greek
world. Their efforts were directed to
the investigation of the ultimate basis
and essential nature of the external
world.[4] They sought the material
principle (archê) of things, and the
method
of
their
origin
and
[4]
disappearance.
As
the
first
philosophers, they emphasized the
Graphical relationship among the various pre-socratic philosophers and thinkers; red
arrows indicate a relationship of opposition.
rational unity of things, and rejected mythological explanations of the world. Only fragments of the original writings
of the presocratics survive. The knowledge we have of them derives from accounts of later philosophical writers
(especially Aristotle, Plutarch, Diogenes Laërtius, Stobaeus and Simplicius), and some early theologians, (especially
Clement of Alexandria and Hippolytus).
Milesian school
The first Presocratic philosophers were from Miletus on the western coast of Anatolia. Thales (624-546 BCE) is
reputed the father of Greek philosophy; he declared water to be the basis of all things.[4] Next came Anaximander
(610-546 BCE), the first writer on philosophy. He assumed as the first principle an undefined, unlimited substance
without qualities, out of which the primary opposites, hot and cold, moist and dry, became differentiated.[4] His
younger contemporary, Anaximenes (585-525 BCE), took for his principle air, conceiving it as modified, by
thickening and thinning, into fire, wind, clouds, water, and earth.[4]
Pythagoreanism
The practical side of philosophy was introduced by Pythagoras of Samos (582-496 BCE). Regarding the world as
perfect harmony, dependent on number, he aimed at inducing humankind likewise to lead a harmonious life. His
doctrine was adopted and extended by a large following of Pythagoreans who gathered at his school in south Italy in
the town of Croton.[4] His followers included Philolaus (470-380 BCE), Alcmaeon of Croton, and Archytas (428-347
BCE).
Ephesian school
Heraclitus of Ephesus on the western coast of Anatolia in modern Turkey (535-475 BCE) posited that all things in
nature are in a state of perpetual flux held together by a dynamic, eternal structure or pattern, which he termed the
Logos. Metaphorically, Heraclitus had used the image of fire to represent this eternal pattern. From fire all things
originate, and return to it again by a never-ending process of development.
Eleatic School
The Eleatic School, called after the town of Elea (modern name Velia in south Italy), emphasized the doctrine of the
One. Xenophanes of Colophon (570-470 BCE), declared God to be the eternal unity, permeating the universe, and
governing it by his thought.[4] Parmenides of Elea (510-440 BCE), affirmed the one unchanging existence to be
alone true and capable of being conceived, and multitude and change to be an appearance without reality.[4] This
doctrine was defended by his younger countryman Zeno of Elea (490-430 BCE) in a polemic against the common
opinion which sees in things multitude, becoming, and change. Zeno propounded a number of celebrated paradoxes,
much debated by later philosophers, which try to show that supposing that there is any change or multiplicity leads
to contradictions.[4] Melissus of Samos (born c. 470 BCE) was another eminent member of this school.
Pluralist School
Empedocles of Agrigentum (490-430 BCE) was from the ancient Greek city of Akragas (Ἀκράγας), Agrigentum in
Latin, modern Agrigento, in Sicily. He appears to have been partly in agreement with the Eleatic School, partly in
opposition to it. On the one hand, he maintained the unchangeable nature of substance; on the other, he supposes a
plurality of such substances - ie. four classical elements, earth, water, air, and fire. Of these the world is built up, by
the agency of two ideal motive forces - love as the cause of union, strife as the cause of separation.[4] Anaxagoras of
Clazomenae (500-428 BCE) in Asia Minor, also maintained the existence of an ordering principle as well as a
material substance, and while regarding the latter as an infinite multitude of imperishable primary elements; he
conceived divine reason or Mind (nous) as ordering them. He referred all generation and disappearance to mixture
and resolution respectively. To him belongs the credit of first establishing philosophy at Athens.[4]
2
Atomist School
The first explicitly materialistic system was formed by Leucippus (5th century BCE) and his pupil Democritus of
Abdera (460-370 BCE) from Thrace. This was the doctrine of atoms - small primary bodies infinite in number,
indivisible and imperishable, qualitatively similar, but distinguished by their shapes. Moving eternally through the
infinite void, they collide and unite, thus generating objects which differ in accordance with the varieties, in number,
size, shape, and arrangement, of the atoms which compose them.[4]
Others
The last of the Presocratic natural philosophers was Diogenes of Apollonia from Thrace (born c. 460 BCE). He was
an eclectic philosopher who adopted many principles of the Milesian school, especially the single material principle,
which he identified as air. He explained natural processes in reference to the rarefactions and condensations of this
primary substance. He also adopted Anaxagoras' cosmic thought.
Sophism
The Sophists held that all thought rests solely on the apprehensions of the senses and on subjective impression, and
that therefore we have no other standards of action than convention for the individual.[4] Specializing in rhetoric, the
Sophists were more professional educators than philosophers. They flourished as a result of a special need at that
time for Greek education. Prominent Sophists include Protagoras (490-420 BCE) from Abdera in Thrace, Gorgias
(487-376 BCE) from Leontini in Sicily, Hippias (485-415 BCE) from Elis in the Peloponnesos, and Prodicus
(465-390 BCE)from the island of Ceos.
Other early Greek thinkers
This list includes several men, particularly the Seven Sages, who appear to have been practical politicians and
sources of epigrammatic wisdom, rather than speculative thinkers or philosophers in the modern sense.
• Seven Sages of Greece
Solon (c. 594 BCE)
Chilon of Sparta (c. 560 BCE)
Thales (c. 585 BCE)
Bias of Priene (c. 570 BCE)
Cleobulus of Rhodes (c. 600 BCE)
Pittacus of Mitylene (c. 600 BCE)
Periander (625-585 BCE)
• Aristeas of Proconnesus (7th century BCE ?)
• Pherecydes of Syros (c. 540 BCE)
• Anacharsis (c. 590 BCE)
3
References
•
•
•
•
Burnet, John, Early Greek Philosophy, Meridian Books, New York, 1957
Colli, Giorgio, The Greek Wisdom (La Sapienza greca, 3 vol. Milan 1977-1980)
G. E. R. Lloyd. Early Greek Science: Thales to Aristotle. New York: Norton, 1970.
Kirk, G.S., Raven, J.E. & Schofield, M., The Presocratic Philosophers (Second Edition), Cambridge University
Press, 1983
• Nahm, Milton C., Selections from Early Greek Philosophy, Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc., 1962
• De Vogel, C.J., Greek Philosophy, Volume I, Thales to Plato, E.J. Brill, Leiden, 1963
• Diels, Hermann, Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker, 6th ed., rev. by Walther Kranz (Berlin, 1952).
External links
• Presocratic Philosophy [5] entry by Patricia Curd in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Notes
[1] William Keith Chambers Guthrie, The Presocratic Tradition from Parmenides to Democritus, p. 13, ISBN 0317665774.
[2] Franco Orsucci, Changing Mind: Transitions in Natural and Artificial Environments, p. 14, ISBN 9812380272.
[3] Eduard Feller, Outlines of the History of Greek Philosophy (1955). p. 323.
[4] Oskar Seyffert, (1894), Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, page 480
[5] http:/ / plato. stanford. edu/ entries/ presocratics
Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks (Philosophie im tragischen Zeitalter der Griechen) is a publication of
an incomplete book by Friedrich Nietzsche. He had a clean copy made from his notes with the intention of
publication. The notes were written around 1873. In it he discussed five Greek philosophers from the sixth and fifth
centuries B.C.. They are Thales, Anaximander, Heraclitus, Parmenides, and Anaxagoras. He had, at one time,
intended to include Democritus, Empedocles, and Socrates. The book ends abruptly after the discussion of
Anaxagoras's cosmogony.
Early preface
Nietzsche stated that he wanted to present the outlooks of very worthy individuals who originated in ancient Greece
from 600 B.C. to 400 B.C.. "The task is to bring to light what we must ever love and honor...." Nietzsche wanted
future humans to be able to say, "So this has existed – once, at least – and is therefore a possibility, this way of life,
this way of looking at the human scene."
Later preface
By selecting only a few doctrines for each philosopher, Nietzsche hoped to exhibit each philosopher's personality.
A justification of philosophy
Nietzsche felt that it is important to know about these philosophers because they were dedicated to finding the truth
about life and the world. Their concern was with the elaboration of their unique personal point of view. The
pre-Socratics existed at a time when Greece was at its height. In such a time of wealthy and successful life, they had
the strength and independence to question the general worth of existence. The tragedians of that age addressed the
same issue with their plays.
4
With Plato, philosophers then lost their own individual stylistic unities. Their works and personalities were
combinations of previous types. They became sectarian and didn't contribute to a unified culture. They did not live
their lives in accordance with their personal outlooks. Plato and subsequent philosophers lacked a pure, unified style.
Thales
This philosopher proposed that water is the origin af all things. Nietzsche claimed that this must be taken seriously
for three reasons.
1. It makes a statement about the primal origin of all things;
2. It uses language that has nothing to do with fable or myth;
3. It reflects the vision that all things are really one.
Thales' generalization was the result of creative imagination and analogy. He did not use reason, logical proof, myth,
or allegory. This was a first attempt to think about nature without the use of myths about gods. However, instead of
trying to gain knowledge of everything, he wanted to know the one important common property of all things.
In order to communicate his vision of oneness, he expressed himself by applying the analogy of water.
Anaximander
Anaximander of Miletus was the first philosopher who wrote his words. His most famous passage is, "The source of
coming-to-be for existing things is that into which destruction, too, happens according to necessity; for they pay
penalty and retribution to each other for their injustice according to the assessment of Time." This pessimistic
expression presented existence as something that should not be. Any definite thing must pay for its individuality by,
after a short time, passing back into its indefinite (apeiron) source. This source cannot also be definite. Therefore it is
indefinite and does not pass away.
Anaximander was the first Greek to provide an ethical or moral interpretation of existence. By emerging from the
primeval oneness, each definite individual thing must pay a price by returning. This meant that the individual,
separate existence of each and every thing is unjust. It has no justification or value in itself.
His manner of living was in accordance with his thought. He dressed and spoke in a dignified, solemn manner. This
unity of style was typical of the pre-Platonic philosophers
Heraclitus
As the opposite of Anaximander, Heraclitus saw no injustice, guilt, evil, or penance in the emergence and
disappearance of worldly objects. To him, continuous becoming and passing away is the order of nature. There is a
wonderful fixed order, regularity, and certainty that shows itself in all change and becoming. Heraclitus did not think
that there is a metaphysical, undefinable indefinite (apeiron) out of which all definite things come into existence.
Also, he denied that there is any permanent being. Nietzsche paraphrased him as saying, "You use names for things
as though they rigidly, persistently endured; yet even the stream into which you step a second time is not the one you
stepped into before."
Heraclitus's way of thinking was the result of perception and intuition. He despised rational, logical, conceptual
thought. His pronouncements were purposely self-contradictory. "We are and at the same time are not." "Being and
nonbeing is at the same time the same and not the same." This intuitive thinking is based on seeing the changing
world of experience which is conditioned by never-ending variations in time and space. Every object that is
perceived through time and space has an existence that is relative to other objects. Nature and reality are seen as a
continuous action in which there is no permanent existence.
The unending strife between opposites, which seek to re-unite, is a kind of lawful justice for Heraclitus. In
accordance with the Greek culture of contest, the strife among all things follows a built-in law or standard.
5
According to Heraclitus, the one is the many. Every thing is really fire. In passing away, the things of the world
show a desire to be consumed in the all-destroying cosmic fire. When they are part of the fire again, their desire is
briefly satisfied. But things soon come into being again as a result of the fire's impulse to play a game with itself.
Due to the contradictions that occur in Heraclitus's brief sayings, he has been accused of being obscure. However,
Nietzsche asserts that he was very clear. The shortness and terseness of Heraclitus's statements may seem to result in
their obscurity, but Nietzsche stated that they are unclear only for readers who do not take the time to think about
what is being said.
Nietzsche interpreted Heraclitus's words, "I sought for myself," as indicating that he possessed great self-esteem and
conviction. Without concern as to whether his thoughts appealed to anyone beside himself, he pronounced that he
saw fixed law in the continual change of becoming. Also, he intuited that the particular changes that occur with strict
necessity are, on the whole, the play of a game. Heraclitus wanted future humanity to know his timeless truths.
Parmenides
Many of Parmenides's qualities were the direct opposite of Heraclitus. Heraclitus grasped his truths through intuition.
He saw and knew the world of Becoming. Parmenides, however, arrived at his truths through pure logic. He
calculated and deduced his doctrine of Being.
Parmenides had an early doctrine and a later, different, teaching. Nietzsche claimed that Parmenides's two ways of
thinking not only divided his own life into two periods but also separated all pre-Socratic thinking into two halves.
The earlier way was the Anaximandrean period. This dealt with two worlds: the world of Becoming and the world of
Being. The second was the Parmenidean. In this world, there is no becoming, change, or impermanence. There is
only Being.
The qualities of the world, Parmenides thought, were divided into opposites. There are positive qualities and there
are their opposite negations. His division was based on abstract logic and not on the evidence of the senses. This
dichotomy of positive and negative then became the separation into the existent and the nonexistent. For things to
become, there must be an existent and a non-existent. Desire unites these opposites and creates the world of
Becoming. When desire is satisfied, the existent and the nonexistent oppose each other and the things pass away.
Nietzsche did not think that an external event led to Parmenides's denial of Becoming. The influence of Xenophanes
is made negligible by Nietzsche. Even though both men gave great importance to the concept of unity, Xenophanes
communicated in ways that were alien to Parmenides. Xenophanes was a philosophical poet whose view of mystic
unity was related to religion. He was an ethicist who rejected the contemporary values of Greece. Nietzsche claimed
that the common attribute between Parmenides and Xenophanes was their love of personal freedom and
unconventionality, not their emphasis on oneness.
The internal event that led to Parmenides's denial of Becoming began when he considered the nature of negative
qualities. He asked himself whether something that has no being can have being. Logically, this was the same as
asking whether A is not A. Parmenides then realized that what is, is. Also, what is not, is not. His previous thinking
about negative qualities was then seen as being very illogical. Heraclitus's contradictory statements were considered
to be totally irrational.
If that which is, is, and that which is not, is not, then several conclusions follow. That which truly is must be forever
present. The existent also is not divisible, because there is no other existent to divide it. It is also immobile and finite.
In sum, there is only eternal oneness.
The senses lead us to believe otherwise. Therefore, for Parmenides, the senses are illusive, mendacious, and
deceitful. He accepted only his logical and rational conclusions. All sensual evidence was ignored. Parmenides only
affirmed his extremely abstract, general truth which was totally unlike the reality of common experience.
Although logically certain, Parmenides's concept of being was empty of content. No sense perception illustrated this
truth. "What is, is" is a judgement of pure thought, not experience. Nietzsche claimed that Parmenides created his
6
concept of being from his own personal experience of feeling himself as alive. He then illogically attributed this
general concept of absolute being to everything in the world. Thus, Nietzsche saw being as a subjective concept that
was mistakenly asserted to be objective. Nietzsche's paraphrase of Parmenides's truth was, "I breathe, therefore being
exists."
Along with his disciple Zeno of Elea, Parmenides stated that there is no such thing as infinity. If infinity exists, it
would be the indivisible, immobile, eternal unity of being. In other words, it would be finite. Zeno's examples of
flying arrows and Achilles chasing a tortoise show that motion over an infinite space would be impossible. But we
do experience motion. The world does exhibit finite infinity. Parmenides rejects, then, the perceivable world of
motion and asserts that reality agrees only with his logical concepts, which do not include finite infinity. For him,
thinking and being are the same. What he thinks is what exists.
Objections can be raised against Parmenides's principles that sensual perception does not show true reality and that
thinking is unmoving being. If the senses are unreal, how can they deceive? If thinking is immobile being, how does
it move from concept to concept? Instead, it can be stated that the many things that are experienced by the senses are
not deceptive. Also, motion can have being. No objection, however, can be made to Parmenides's self-evident main
teaching that there is being, or, what is, is.
Anaxagoras
Anaxagoras raised two objections against Parmenides:
1. the origin of semblance, and
2. the mobility of thought.
He did not object, however, to Parmenides's main doctrine that there is only being, not becoming. Anaximander and
Heraclitus had claimed that there is becoming and passing away. Thales and Heraclitus had said that the world of
multiple qualities comes out of one prime substance. With Anaxagoras, all subsequent philosophers and scientists
rejected all coming into existence out of nothing and disappearance into nothing.
If the many things that we experience in the world are not mere semblance but do not come from nothing and do not
come from one single thing, what is their origin? Since like produces like, the many different things come from
many different things. In other words, there are infinitely many different prime substances. Their total is always
constant but their arrangements change.
Why do the forms and patterns of these real substances change? Because they are in motion. Change and motion are
not semblance and are truly real. Does the movement come from within each thing? Is there another external thing
that moves each object?
Movement is not mere appearance. Movement occurs because each substance is similar to each other substance in
that they are all made of the same matter. There is no total isolation or complete difference between substances. This
common material substratum allows them to interact. When two substances try to occupy the same space, one of the
substances must move away. This is actual motion and change.
If it is certain that our ideas appear to us in succession, then they must move themselves because they are not moved
by things that are not ideas. This proves that there is something in the world that moves itself. Ideas are also capable
of moving things that are different from themselves. They move the body. Therefore, there is a thinking substance
that moves itself and other substances. This nous (mind, intelligence) is made out of extremely fine and delicate
matter. It is an ordering, knowing, purposeful mover. Nous was the first cause of every subsequent mechanical
change in the universe.
Originally, before nous moved the first particle of matter, there was a complete mixture which was composed of
infinitely small components of things. Each of these was a homoeomery, the small parts being the same as the large
whole. For example, a tooth is made of small teeth. This is the result of the thought that like must come from like.
After the movement began, individual objects became separated from this mixture when like combined with like.
7
When one substance finally predominated, the accumulation became a particular thing. This process is called
"coming to be" or "becoming."
Nous is not a part of the original mixture. It started the revolutionary motion which separated things from the primal
mixture. The motion is a centrifugal, spiralling vortex in which likes attach to their likes. There is no god who moves
things with a purpose in mind. There is only a mechanical whirlpool of movement. Unlike Parmenides's motionless
sphere of being, Anaxagoras saw the world as a moving circle of becoming. Nous started the spinning. Thereafter the
universe developed on its own, according to lawful necessity.
To be able to start and sustain motion against the resistance of the infinite mixture, nous had to use a sudden,
infinitely strong and infinitely rapid, force. It also had to move the first point in a circular path that was larger than
its own size. In this way, it affected other points. Nous freely chose to start the vortex. It thereby created its own goal
and purpose in a playful game. This was not a moral or ethical process. Rather, it was aesthetic, in that nous simply
wanted to enjoy the spectacle of its own creation.
Later philosophers, such as Plato, wanted to attribute ethical properties to nous's creation of the world. For them, it
should be made in the most perfect, beautiful, useful manner. Anaxagoras, however, did not employ teleology. Nous,
for him, was a mechanical, efficient cause, not a final cause. Any future purpose would have eliminated a freely
chosen start.
Nietzsche's book abruptly ends here with a description of a nous that created the world as a game. The freedom of
nous's creative will is opposed to the necessary determinism of its creation, the universe. Nous is referred to as a
mind (Geist) that has free, arbitrary choice. The created world, physis, is a determined, mechanical piece of
machinery. Any order or efficiency of things is only an outcome of purposeless change.
References
• Nietzsche, Friedrich, Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks, Regnery Gateway ISBN 0-89526-944-9
8
Classical element
9
Classical element
Many philosophies and worldviews have a set of classical elements believed to reflect the simplest essential parts
and principles of which anything consists or upon which the constitution and fundamental powers of anything are
based. Most frequently, classical elements refer to ancient beliefs inspired by natural observation of the phases of
matter. Historians trace the evolution of modern theory pertaining to the chemical elements, as well as chemical
compounds and mixtures of natural substances to medieval, Islamic and Greek models. Many concepts once thought
to be analogous, such as the Chinese Wu Xing, are now understood more figuratively.
Ancient classic element systems
In classical thought, the four elements Earth, Water, Air, and Fire frequently occur; sometimes including a fifth
element or quintessence (after "quint" meaning "fifth") called Aether in ancient Greece.
In Greek thought, the philosopher Aristotle added aether as the quintessence, reasoning that whereas fire, earth, air,
and water were earthly and corruptible, since no changes had been perceived in the heavenly regions, the stars cannot
be made out of any of the four elements but must be made of a different, unchangeable, heavenly substance.[1]
The concept of essentially the same five elements was similarly found in ancient India, where they formed a basis of
analysis in both Hinduism and Buddhism. In Hinduism, particularly in an esoteric context, the four states-of-matter
describe matter, and a fifth element describes that which was beyond the material world (non-matter). Similar lists
existed in ancient China and Japan. In Buddhism the four great elements, to which two others are sometimes added,
are not viewed as substances, but as categories of sensory experience.
Classical elements in Babylonia
The concept of the four classical elements in the Western tradition originates from Babylonian mythology. The
Enûma Eliš, a text written between the 18th and 16th centuries BC, describes four cosmic elements: the sea, earth,
sky, and wind.[2]
Classical elements in Greece
The Greek classical elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Aether) date from pre-Socratic times and persisted
throughout the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, deeply influencing European thought and culture. The Greek
five elements are sometimes associated with the five platonic solids.
Hellenic Physics
Classical element
10
Hellenic civilization elements
fire ·
earth ·
air ·
water
Plato characterizes the elements as being pre-Socratic in origin from a list created by the Sicilian philosopher
Empedocles (ca. 450 BC). Empedocles called these the four "roots" (ῥιζὤματα, rhizōmata). Plato seems to have
been the first to use the term "element (στοιχεῖον, stoicheion)" in reference to air, fire, earth, and water.[3] The
ancient Greek word for element, stoicheion (from stoicheo, "to line up") meant "smallest division (of a sun-dial), a
syllable", as the composing unit of an alphabet it could denote a letter and the smallest unit from which a word is
formed.
According to Aristotle in his On Generation and Corruption:
•
•
•
•
Air is primarily wet and secondarily hot.
Fire is primarily hot and secondarily dry.
Earth is primarily dry and secondarily cold.
Water is primarily cold and secondarily wet.
One classic diagram (above) has one square inscribed in the other, with the corners of one being the classical
elements, and the corners of the other being the properties. The opposite corner is the opposite of these properties,
"hot - cold" and "dry - wet".
According to Galen, these elements were used by Hippocrates in describing the human body with an association with
the four humours: yellow bile (fire), black bile (earth), blood (air), and phlegm (water).
Classical elements in Hinduism
The pancha mahabhuta, or "five great elements", of Hinduism are kshiti or bhūmi (earth), ap or jala (water), tejas or
agni (fire), marut or pavan (air or wind), byom or shunya (or akash?) (aether or void). Hindus believe that all of
creation, including the human body, is made up of these five essential elements and that upon death, the human body
dissolves into these five elements of nature, thereby balancing the cycle of nature set in motion by the Creator.
Hindus believe that the Creator used akasha (ether), the most "subtle" element, to create the other four traditional
elements; each element created is in turn used to create the next element, each less subtle than the last. The five
elements are associated with the five senses, and act as the gross medium for the experience of sensations. The basest
element, Earth, created using all the other elements, can be perceived by all five senses - hearing, touch, sight, taste,
and smell. The next higher element, water, has no odor but can be heard, felt, seen and tasted. Next comes fire,
which can be heard, felt and seen. Air can be heard and felt. "Akasha" (ether) is the medium of sound but is
inaccessible to all other senses.
Classical element
Buddhist elements
In the Pali literature, the mahabhuta ("great elements") or catudhatu ("four elements") are earth, water, fire and air.
In early Buddhism, the four elements are a basis for understanding suffering and for liberating oneself from
suffering. The earliest Buddhist texts explain that the four primary material elements are the sensory qualities
solidity, fluidity, temperature, and mobility; their characterization as earth, water, fire, and air, respectively, is
declared an abstraction—instead of concentrating on the fact of material existence, one observes how a physical
thing is sensed, felt, perceived.[4]
The Buddha's teaching regarding the four elements is to be understood as the base of all observation of real
sensations rather than as a philosophy. The four properties are cohesion (water), solidity or inertia (earth), expansion
or vibration (air) and heat or energy content (fire). He promulgated a categorization of mind and matter as composed
of eight types of "kalapas" of which the four elements are primary and a secondary group of four are color, smell,
taste, and nutriment which are derivative from the four primaries.
The Buddha's teaching of the four elements does predate Greek teaching of the same four elements. This is possibly
explained by the fact that he sent out 60 arahants to the known world to spread his teaching; however it differs in the
fact that the Buddha taught that the four elements are false and that form is in fact made up of much smaller particles
which are constantly changing.
Thanissaro Bhikkhu (1997) renders an extract of Shakyamuni Buddha's from Pali into English thus:
Just as a skilled butcher or his apprentice, having killed a cow, would sit at a crossroads cutting it up into
pieces, the monk contemplates this very body -- however it stands, however it is disposed -- in terms of
properties: 'In this body there is the earth property, the liquid property, the fire property, & the wind
property.'[5]
Seven chakras
In the philosophy of the seven chakras there are correspondences to the five elements as shared by both Hinduism
and Buddhism as well as two other elements:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sahasrara (Crown): Thought/Space
Ajña (Third Eye): Light/Dark
Vishuddhi (Throat): Ether/Sound
Anahata (Heart): Air
Manipura (Navel): Fire
Svadhisthana (Sacral): Water
Muladhara (Root): Earth
Bön elements
In Bön or ancient Tibetan philosophy, the five elemental processes of earth, water, fire, air and space are the
essential materials of all existent phenomena or aggregates. The elemental processes form the basis of the calendar,
astrology, medicine, psychology and are the foundation of the spiritual traditions of shamanism, tantra and
Dzogchen.
Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche states that
physical properties are assigned to the elements: earth is solidity; water is cohesion; fire is temperature; air is
motion; and space is the spatial dimension that accommodates the other four active elements. In addition, the
elements are correlated to different emotions, temperaments, directions, colors, tastes, body types, illnesses,
thinking styles, and character. From the five elements arise the five senses and the five fields of sensual
experience; the five negative emotions and the five wisdoms; and the five extensions of the body. They are the
five primary pranas or vital energies. They are the constituents of every physical, sensual, mental, and
11
Classical element
spiritual phenomenon.[6]
The names of the elements are analogous to categorised experiential sensations of the natural world. The names are
symbolic and key to their inherent qualities and/or modes of action by analogy. In Bön the elemental processes are
fundamental metaphors for working with external, internal and secret energetic forces. All five elemental processes
in their essential purity are inherent in the mindstream and link the trikaya and are aspects of primordial energy. As
Herbert V. Günther states:
Thus, bearing in mind that thought struggles incessantly against the treachery of language and that what we
observe and describe is the observer himself [sic.], we may nonetheless proceed to investigate the successive
phases in our becoming human beings. Throughout these phases, the experience (das Erlebnis) of ourselves as
an intensity (imaged and felt as a "god", lha) setting up its own spatiality (imaged and felt as a "house" khang)
is present in various intensities of illumination that occur within ourselves as a "temple." A corollary of this
Erlebnis is its light character manifesting itself in various "frequencies" or colors. This is to say, since we are
beings of light we display this light in a multiplicity of nuances.[7]
In the above block quote the trikaya is encoded as: dharmakaya "god"; sambhogakaya "temple" and nirmanakaya
"house".
Chinese elements
The Chinese had a somewhat different series of elements, namely Fire, Earth, Water, Metal and Wood, which were
understood as different types of energy in a state of constant interaction and flux with one another, rather than the
Western notion of different kinds of material.
Although it is usually translated as "element", the Chinese word xing literally means something like "changing states
of being", "permutations" or "metamorphoses of being".[8] In fact Sinologists cannot agree on one single translation.
The Chinese conception of "element" is therefore quite different from the Western one. The Western elements were
seen as the basic building blocks of matter. The Chinese, by contrast, were seen as ever changing and moving forces
or energies—one translation of wu xing is simply "the five changes".
The Wu Xing are chiefly an ancient mnemonic device for systems with five stages; hence the preferred translation of
"movements", "phases" or "steps" over "elements."
In Taoism there is a similar system of elements, which includes metal and wood, but excludes air, which is replaced
with qi, which is a force or energy rather than an element. In Chinese philosophy the universe consists of heaven and
earth, heaven being made of qi and earth being made of the five elements (in the Chinese view, the attributes and
properties of the Western and Indian Air element are equivalent to that of Wood, where the element of Ether is often
seen as a correspondent to Metal). The five major planets are associated with and named after the elements: Venus
金星 is Metal (金), Jupiter 木星 is Wood (木), Mercury 水星 is Water (水), Mars 火星 is Fire (火), and Saturn
土星 is Earth (土). Additionally, the Moon represents Yin (陰), and the Sun 太陽 represents Yang (陽). Yin, Yang,
and the five elements are recurring themes in the I Ching, the oldest of Chinese classical texts which describes an
ancient system of cosmology and philosophy. The five elements also play an important part in Chinese astrology and
the Chinese form of geomancy known as Feng shui
The doctrine of five phases describes two cycles of balance, a generating or creation (生, shēng) cycle and an
overcoming or destruction (克/剋, kè) cycle of interactions between the phases.
Generating
• Wood feeds fire;
• Fire creates earth (ash);
• Earth bears metal;
• Metal collects water;
• Water nourishes wood.
12
Classical element
13
Overcoming
•
•
•
•
•
Wood parts earth;
Earth absorbs water;
Water quenches fire;
Fire melts metal;
Metal chops wood.
There are also two cycles of imbalance, an overacting cycle (cheng) and an insulting cycle (wu).
Japanese elements
Japanese traditions use a set of elements called the 五大 (go dai, literally "five great"). These five are earth, water,
fire, wind/air, and void. These came from Buddhist beliefs; the classical Chinese elements (五行, go gyô) are also
prominent in Japanese culture, especially to the influential Neo-Confucianists during the Edo period.
•
•
•
•
Earth represented things that were solid.
Water represented things that were liquid.
Fire represented things that destroyed.
Air represented things that moved.
• Heaven represented things not of our everyday life.
Elements in Medieval alchemy
The elemental system used in Medieval alchemy was developed by the Arabic alchemist, Jābir ibn Hayyān and
others.[9] His original system consisted of the four classical elements found in the ancient Greek traditions (air, earth,
fire and water), in addition to two philosophical elements: sulphur, ‘the stone which burns’, which characterized the
principle of combustibility, and mercury, which contained the idealized principle of metallic properties. The three
metallic principles: sulphur to flammability or combustion, mercury to volatility and stability, and salt to solidity.
became the tri prima of the Swiss alchemist Paracelsus, who reasoned that Aristotle’s four element theory appeared
in bodies as three principles. Paracelsus saw these principles as fundamental, and justified them by recourse to the
description of how wood burns in fire. Mercury included the cohesive principle, so that when it left in smoke the
wood fell apart. Smoke described the volatility (the mercury principle), the heat-giving flames described
flammability (sulphur), and the remnant ash described solidity (salt).[10]
Modern elements
The Aristotelian tradition and medieval Alchemy eventually gave rise to modern scientific theories and new
taxonomies. By the time of Antoine Lavoisier, for example, a list of elements would no longer refer to classical
elements.[11] The classical elements correspond more closely to four states of matter: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.
Modern science recognizes classes of
elementary particles which have no
substructure, (or rather, particles that aren't
made of other particles), and composite
particles having substructure, (particles
made of other particles). The Standard
Model of quantum mechanics defines three
classes of elementary subatomic particles:
quarks and leptons, (matter-like particles),
1s, 2s, 2px,2py, and 2pz.
The shapes of the first five atomic orbitals using color to depict the phase of the
wavefunction.
Classical element
and gauge bosons (energy-like force carriers). Quarks are divided into six types: up, down, top, bottom, strange and
charm; and leptons are similarly divided into six types: electron, electron neutrino, muon, muon neutrino, tau and
tau neutrino. The types of force carriers include: photon, W and Z boson, gluon and some quantification of a Higgs
boson.
Elements in western astrology and tarot
Western astrology uses the four classical elements in connection with astrological charts and horoscopes. The twelve
signs of the zodiac are divided into the four elements: Fire signs are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, Earth signs are
Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, Air signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, and Water signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and
Pisces.
In divinatory tarot, the suits of cups, swords, batons/wands, and discs/coins are said to correspond to water, air, fire,
and earth respectively.
References
General information
• Paul Strathern (2000). Mendeleyev’s Dream – the Quest for the Elements [12]. New York: Berkley Books.
Footnotes
[1] G. E. R. Lloyd (1968). Aristotle: The Growth and Structure of his Thought. Cambridge Univ. Pr.. pp. 133–139. ISBN 0-521-09456-9.
[2] Francesca Rochberg (December 2002). "A consideration of Babylonian astronomy within the historiography of science". Studies in History
and Philosophy of Science 33 (4): 661–684. doi:10.1016/S0039-3681(02)00022-5.
[3] "Timaeus" (http:/ / www. perseus. tufts. edu/ cgi-bin/ ptext?lookup=Plat. + Tim. + 48b). .
[4] Dan Lusthaus. "What is and isn't Yogacara" (http:/ / www. acmuller. net/ yogacara/ articles/ intro-uni. htm). .
[5] Majjhima Nikaya. "Kayagata-sati Sutta" (http:/ / www. accesstoinsight. org/ tipitaka/ mn/ mn. 119. than. html). p. 119. . Retrieved
2009-01-30.
[6] Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche (2002). Healing with Form, Energy, and Light. Ithaca, New York: Snow Lion Publications. p. 1.
ISBN 1559391766.
[7] Herber V. Günther (1996). The Teachings of Padmasambhava (Hardcover ed.). Leiden, Netherlands: E. J. Brill. pp. 115–116.
[8] Wolfram Eberhard (1986). A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols. London: Routledge and Keegan Paul. pp. 93, 105, 309. ISBN 0710201915.
[9] Norris, John A. (2006). "The Mineral Exhalation Theory of Metallogenesis in Pre-Modern Mineral Science". Ambix 53: 43.
doi:10.1179/174582306X93183.
[10] Strathern, 2000. Page 79.
[11] Antoine Lavoisier (1743-1794) (http:/ / web. lemoyne. edu/ ~giunta/ lavtable. html), in Classic Chemistry (http:/ / web. lemoyne. edu/
~giunta/ index. html), compiled by Carmen Giunta
[12] http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=qCzoF9sjTkAC
External links
• Section on 4 elements in Buddhism (http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/khin/wheel231.html)
14
The Ionian school, a type of Greek philosophy centred in Miletus,
Ionia in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE, is something of a misnomer.
Although Ionia was a centre of Western philosophy, the scholars it
produced, including Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Heraclitus,
Anaxagoras, Archelaus, and Diogenes of Apollonia,[1] had such
diverse viewpoints that it cannot be said to be a specific school of
philosophy. Aristotle called them physiologoi meaning 'those who
discoursed on nature', but he did not group them together as an "Ionian
school". The classification can be traced to the 2nd century historian of
philosophy Sotion. They are sometimes referred to as cosmologists,
since they were largely physicalists who tried to explain the nature of
matter.
While some of these scholars are included in the Milesian school of
philosophy, others are more difficult to categorize.
Most cosmologists thought that although matter can change from one
Map of ancient Ionia, on the eastern side of the
form to another, all matter has something in common which does not
Aegean Sea.
change. They did not agree what it was that all things had in common,
and did not experiment to find out, but used abstract reasoning rather than religion or mythology to explain
themselves, thus becoming the first philosophers in the Western tradition.
Later philosophers widened their studies to include other areas of thought. The Eleatic school, for example, also
studied epistemology, or how people come to know what exists. But the Ionians were the first group of philosophers
that we know of, and so remain historically important.
Thales
Thales (Greek: Θαλης) of Miletus (ca. 624 BCE - 546 BCE) is regarded as the earliest western philosopher. Before
Thales, the Greeks explained the origin and nature of the world through myths of anthropomorphic gods and heroes.
Phenomena like lightning or earthquakes were attributed to actions of the gods. By contrast, Thales attempted to find
naturalistic explanations of the world, without reference to the supernatural. He explained earthquakes by imagining
that the Earth floats on water, and that earthquakes occur when the Earth is rocked by waves. Thales' most famous
belief was his cosmological doctrine, which held that the world originated from water.
15
Anaximander
Anaximander (Greek: Άναξίμανδρος) (610 BCE – ca. 546 BCE) wrote a cosmological work, little of which
remains. From the few extant fragments, we learn that he believed the beginning or first principle (arche, a word first
found in Anaximander's writings, and which he probably invented) is an endless, unlimited mass (apeiron), subject
to neither old age nor decay, which perpetually yields fresh materials from which everything we can perceive is
derived.
Anaximenes
Anaximenes (Greek: Άναξιμένης) of Miletus (585 BCE - 528 BCE) held that the air, with its variety of contents, its
universal presence, its vague associations in popular fancy with the phenomena of life and growth, is the source of
all that exists. Everything is air at different degrees of density, and under the influence of heat, which expands, and
of cold, which contracts its volume, it gives rise to the several phases of existence. The process is gradual, and takes
place in two directions, as heat or cold predominates. In this way was formed a broad disk of earth, floating on the
circumambient air. Similar condensations produced the sun and stars; and the flaming state of these bodies is due to
the velocity of their motions.
Heraclitus
Heraclitus (Greek: Ἡράκλειτος) of Ephesus (ca. 535 - 475 BCE) disagreed with Thales, Anaximander, and
Pythagoras about the nature of the ultimate substance and claimed instead that everything is derived from the Greek
classical element fire, rather than from air, water, or earth. This led to the belief that change is real, and stability
illusory. For Heraclitus "Everything flows, nothing stands still." He is also famous for saying: "No man can cross the
same river twice, because neither the man nor the river are the same."
Empedocles
Empedocles (ca. 490 BCE – ca. 430 BCE) was a citizen of Agrigentum, a Greek colony in Sicily. Empedocles'
philosophy is best known for being the origin of the cosmogenic theory of the four classical elements. He maintained
that all matter is made up of four elements: water, earth, air and fire. Empedocles postulated forces called Love
(philia) and Strife (neikos) to explain the attraction and separation of different forms of matter. He was also one of
the first people to state the theory that light travels at a finite (although very large) speed.
Anaxagoras
Anaxagoras of Clazomenae (ca. 500-428 BCE) regarded material substance as an infinite multitude of imperishable
primary elements, referring all generation and disappearance to mixture and separation respectively. All substance is
ordered by an ordering force, the cosmic mind (nous).
Archelaus
Archelaus was a Greek philosopher of the 5th century BCE, born probably in Athens. He was a pupil of Anaxagoras,
and is said by Ion of Chios (Diogenes Laërtius, ii. 23) to have been the teacher of Socrates. Some argue that this is
probably only an attempt to connect Socrates with the Ionian School; others (e.g. Gomperz, Greek Thinkers) uphold
the story. There is similar difference of opinion as regards the statement that Archelaus formulated certain ethical
doctrines. In general, he followed Anaxagoras, but in his cosmology he went back to the earlier Ionians.
16
Hippo
Hippo (ca. 425 BCE) was native of Magna Graecia (Italy). Very little is known about him. He held that water was
the principle of all things, with fire springing from water, and then developing itself by generating the universe.
Primarily interested in biological matters, he was said to have been an atheist.
Diogenes (ca. 425 BCE) was a native of Apollonia, either the one in Crete or in Thrace. Like Anaximenes, he
believed air to be the one source of all being, and all other substances to be derived from it by condensation and
rarefaction. His chief advance upon the doctrines of Anaximenes is that he asserted air, the primal force, to be
possessed of intelligence—"the air which stirred within him not only prompted, but instructed. The air as the origin
of all things is necessarily an eternal, imperishable substance, but as soul it is also necessarily endowed with
consciousness."
Notes
[1] American International Encyclopedia, J.J. Little Co., New York 1954, Vol VIII
External links
• Catholic Encyclopedia Entry (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08092a.htm)
• Ionian School Of Philosophy (http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Ionian_School_Of_Philosophy),
Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th Edition, 1911
References
•
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911).
Encyclopædia Britannica (Eleventh ed.). Cambridge University Press.
17
Paired opposites
Paired opposites
Paired opposites are an ancient, pre-Socratic method of establishing thesis, antithesis and synthesis in terms of a
standard for what is right and proper in natural philosophy.
Relative absolutes
From the very beginnings absolutes are named as gods and paired opposites taken as consorts light and darkness are
associated with relative absolutes such as air as air, earth, fire and water, whose noun based relational synthesis gives
birth to new ranges of adjective and adverbial qualitative paired opposites.
Where for example, power and
wisdom give birth to justice, we have a
qualitative rather than strictly scalar
synthesis. Paired adjectives and
adverbs implying a change in state
toward for example wetness or dryness
are further expanded through their
relative absolutes to be conditional or
dependent on a process of becoming or
changing towards a well ordered
balance.
Going back to the Egyptian concept of
Ma'at [1] and the Pythagoreans [2] there
is an idea that what is beautiful and
pleasing should be proportionate to a
standard and with the Greeks the
expansion on that idea that the more
general and formulaic the standards the
better. This idea that there should be
beauty and elegance evidenced by a skillful composition of well understood elements underlies mathematics in
general and in a sense all the modulors of design as well. The idea is that what makes proportions pleasing to
humans in categories such as the architecture of buildings music, art, and mathematical proofs is their being scaled
down to dimensions humans can relate to and scaled up through distances humans can travel as a procession of
revelations which may sometimes invoke closure, or glimpses of views that go beyond any encompassing framework
and thus suggest to the observer that there is something more besides, invoking wonder and awe.
The classical standards are a series of paired opposites designed to expand the dimensional constraints of the
harmony and proportion. In the Greek ideal Vitruvius addresses they are similarity, difference, motion, rest, number,
sequence and consequence.
These are incorporated in good architectural design as philosophical categorization; what similarity is of the essence
that makes it what it is, and what difference is it that makes it not something else? Is the size of a column or an arch
related just to the structural load it bears or more broadly to the presence and purpose of the space itself?
The standard of motion originally referred to encompassing change but has now been expanded to buildings whose
kinetic mechanisms may actually determine change depend upon harmonies of wind, humidity, temperature, sound,
light, time of day or night, and previous cycles of change.
18
Paired opposites
The stability of the architectural standard of the universal set of proportions references the totality of the built
environment so that even as it changes it does so in an ongoing and continuous process that can be measured,
weighed, and judged as to its orderly harmony.
Sacred geometry has the same arrangement of elements found in compositions of music and nature at its finest
incorporating light and shadow, sound and silence, texture and smoothness, mass and airy lightness, as in a forest
glade where the leaves move gently on the wind or a sparkle of metal catches the eye as a ripple of water on a pond.
Paired opposites in the proportions of units
Scalar ranges and coordinate systems are paired opposites within sets. Incorporating dimensions of positive and
negative numbers and exponents, or expanding x,y and z coordinates, by adding a fourth dimension of time allows a
resolution of position relative to the standard of the scale which is often taken as 0,0,0,0 with additional dimensions
added as referential scales are expanded from space and time to mass and energy.
Ancient systems frequently scaled their degree of opposition by rate of increase or rate of decrease. Linear increase
was enhanced by doubling systems. An acceleration in the rate of increase or decrease could be analyzed
arithmetrically, geometrically, or through a wide range of other numerical and physical analysis. Arithmetic and
geometric series, and other methods of rating proportionate expansion or contraction could be thought of as
convergent or divergent toward a position.
Though unit quantities were first defined by spatial dimensions, and then expanded by adding coordinates of time,
the weight or mass a given spatial dimension could contain was also considered and even in antiquity, conditions
under which the standard would be established such as at a given temperature, distance from sea level, or density
were added.
Rates of change over time were then considered as either indexes of production or depletion
Paired opposites in rates of increase and decrease
The concept of balance vs chaos can be thought of as particle vs wave. The particle minimizes change even when in
motion. The wave accentuates change by increasing or decreasing. Relative change may result in one dimension
increasing as another decreases or one rate of change increasing as another decreases.
Law and order
As the natural order of things gives rise to consensus as to what is right and proper and what is by contrast wrong,
evil, or bad; societally, mathematically, philosophically and scientifically it becomes necessary to establish standards
and orders of magnitude by which something may be evaluated as in or out of tolerance
References
• Howard W. Eves (1969). In Mathematical Circles. Prindle. Weber, and Schmidt. ISBN 87150-056-8.
• Lucas N. H. Bunt, Phillip S.Jones, Jack D. Bedient (1976). The Historical Roots of Elementary Mathematics.
Dover. ISBN 0486255638. Includes references to a Days Journey and a Days Sail
• H Arthur Klein (1976). The World of Measurements. Simon and Schuster.Includes references to a Days Journey
and a Days Sail
• Francis H. Moffitt (1987). Surveying. Harper & Row. ISBN 0060445548.
• Vitruvius The Ten Books on Architecture. Dover. 1960.
• Claudias Ptolemy The Geography. Dover. 1991. ISBN 048626896.
• 25. Herodotus The History. William Brown. 1952.
19
Paired opposites
• Michael Grant (1987). The Rise of the Greeks. Charles Scribners Sons.
• R. A. Cordingley (1951). Norman's Parallel of the Orders of Architecture. Alex Trianti Ltd.
• H Johnathan Riley Smith (1990). The Atlas of the Crusades place names in Canaan during the crusades.
Swanston. ISBN 0723003610.
• H.W. Koch (1978). Medieval Warfare. Prentice Hall. ISBN 0135736005.
• William H McNeil and Jean W Sedlar (1962). The Ancient Near East. OUP.
• Andrew George (2000). The Epic of Gillgamesh. Penguin. ISBN No14-044721-0.
• James B. Pritchard (1968). The Ancient Near East. OUP.
• Shaika Haya Ali Al Khalifa and Michael Rice (1986). Bahrain through the Ages. KPI. ISBN 071030112-x.
• Michael Roaf (1990). Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East. Equinox. ISBN 0-8160-2218-6.
• Nicholas Awde and Putros Samano (1986). The Arabic Alphabet. Billing & Sons Ltd.. ISBN 0863560350.
• Gerard Herm (1975). The Phoenicians. William Morrow^ Co. Inc.. ISBN 0-688-02908-6.
• Gardiner (1990). Egyptian Grammar. Griffith Institute. ISBN 0900416351.
• Antonio Loprieno (1995). Ancient Egyptian. CUP. ISBN 0-521-44849-2.
• Michael Rice (1990). Egypt's Making. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-06454-6.
• Gillings (1972). Mathematics in the time of the Pharaohs. MIT Press. ISBN 0262070456.
• Somers Clarke and R. Englebach (1990). Ancient Egyptian Construction and Architecture. Dover.
ISBN 0486264858.
• Marie-Loise Thomsen (1984). Mesopotamia 10 The Sumerian Language. Academic Press. ISBN 87-500-3654-8.
• Silvia Luraghi (1990). Old Hittite Sentence Structure. Routledge. ISBN 0415047358.
• J. P. Mallory (1989). In Search of the Indo Europeans. Thames and Hudson. ISBN 050027616-1.
• Anne H. Groton (1995). From Alpha to Omega. Focus Information group. ISBN 0941051382.
• Hines (1981). Our Latin Heritage. Harcourt Brace. ISBN 0153894687.
Footnotes
[1] Wallis Budge, Gods of the Egyptians Vol I and 2
[2] Prindle. Weber, and Schmidt In Mathematical Circles
20
Material monism
Material monism
Material monism is a Presocratic belief which provides an explanation of the physical world by saying that all of
the world's objects are composed of a single element. Among the material monists were the three Milesian
philosophers: Thales, who believed that everything was composed of water; Anaximander, who believed it was
apeiron; and Anaximenes, who believed it was air.
Although their ideas seem farfetched, these philosophers were the first to give an explanation of the physical world
without referencing the supernatural; this opened the way for all modern science (and philosophy), which has the
same goal of explaining the world without dependence on the supernatural.
Some modern theorists, such as Albert Einstein, have searched for a theory that explains the world as the product of
a single substance, but at a deeper level, one that is beneath the structure of atoms and even quarks.
Diogenes Laërtius
Diogenes Laertius (ancient Greek: Διογένης Λαέρτιος, Diogenes Laertios; fl. c. 3rd century) was a biographer of
the Greek philosophers. Nothing is known about his life, but his surviving Lives and Opinions of Eminent
Philosophers is one of the principal surviving sources for the history of Greek philosophy.
Life
Nothing is definitively known about his life. He must have lived after Sextus Empiricus (c. 200 AD), whom he
mentions, and before Stephanus of Byzantium and Sopater (c. 500 AD), who quote him. His work makes no mention
of Neoplatonism, even though it is addressed to a woman who was "an enthusiastic Platonist."[1] It is probable that
he flourished in the first half of the third century, during the reign of Alexander Severus (222–235) and his
successors.
The precise form of his name is uncertain. In the ancient manuscripts of his work, he is invariably referred to as
"Laertius Diogenes," and this form of the name is repeated by Sopater,[2] and the Suda.[3] The modern form
"Diogenes Laertius" is much rarer, and occurs in Stephanus of Byzantium,[4] and in a lemma to the Greek
Anthology.[5] He is also referred to as "Laertes,"[6] or just "Diogenes."[7]
The origin of his name "Laertius" is equally uncertain. Stephanus of Byzantium, in one passage, refers to him as
"Diogenes of Laertieus,"[8] implying that he was the native of some town, perhaps the Laerte in Caria, or the one in
Cilicia. An alternative suggestion is that one of his ancestors had for a patron a member of the Roman family of the
Laërtii.[9] The modern theory is that "Laertius" is a nickname, to distinguish him from the many other people called
Diogenes in the ancient world, and derived from the Homeric epithet "Diogenes Laertiade," used in addressing
Odysseus.[10]
His home town is unknown, assuming that his name does not refer to his place of origin. A disputed passage in his
writings[11] has been used to suggest that it was Nicaea in Bithynia.[12]
Writings
The work by which he is known, Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, was written in Greek and professes to
give an account of the lives and sayings of the Greek philosophers. Although it is at best an uncritical and
unphilosophical compilation, its value, as giving us an insight into the private lives of the Greek sages, led
Montaigne to exclaim that he wished that instead of one Laërtius there had been a dozen.[13] On the other hand,
modern scholars advise that we treat Diogenes' testimonia with care, especially when he fails to cite his sources:
"Diogenes has acquired an importance out of all proportion to his merits because the loss of many primary sources
21
Diogenes Laërtius
and of the earlier secondary compilations has accidentally left him the chief continuous source for the history of
Greek philosophy."[14]
Diogenes treats his subject in two divisions which he describes as the Ionian and the Italian schools; the division is
somewhat dubious and appears to be drawn from the lost doxography of Sotion. The biographies of the former begin
with Anaximander, and end with Clitomachus, Theophrastus and Chrysippus; the latter begins with Pythagoras, and
ends with Epicurus. The Socratic school, with its various branches, is classed with the Ionic; while the Eleatics and
sceptics are treated under the Italic. From the statements of Walter Burley (a 14th-century monk) in his De vita et
moribus philosophorum the text of Diogenes seems to have been much fuller than that which we now possess.
His own opinions are uncertain. It has been suggested that Diogenes was an Epicurean, or a Skeptic. In favour of the
view that he was an Epicurean, is the fact that he passionately defends Epicurus.[15] Book 10, which discusses
Epicurus, is of high quality, and contains three long letters, written by Epicurus, which explain Epicurean
doctrines.[16] In favour of the view that he was a Skeptic, is the way in which he is impartial to all the schools in the
manner of the ancient skeptics, and he carries the succession of the school further than the other schools. At one
point, he even seems to refer to the Skeptics as "our school."[11] On the other hand, most of these points can be
explained by the way he uncritically copies from his sources. It is impossible to be certain that he adhered to any
school, and he is usually more interested in biographical details than in philosophical doctrines.[17]
In addition to the Lives, Diogenes was the author of a work in verse on famous men, in various metres.
Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
Diogenes Laërtius, iii. 47
Sopater, ap. Photius, Biblioth. 161
Suda, Tetralogia
Stephanus of Byzantium, Druidai
Lemma to Anthologia Palatina, vii. 95
Eustathius, on Iliad, M. 153
Stephanus of Byzantium, Enetoi
Stephanus of Byzantium, Cholleidai
" Diogenes Laertius (http:/ / www. ancientlibrary. com/ smith-bio/ 1028. html)" entry, in William Smith (editor), (1870), Dictionary of Greek
and Roman Biography and Mythology
[10] Herbert S. Long, Introduction, page xvi, in the 1972 reprint of Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Volume 1, Loeb Classical
Library
[11] Diogenes Laërtius, ix. 109. Specifically, Diogenes refers to "our Apollonides of Nicaea," this is conjectured to mean either "my
fellow-citizen" or "a Sceptic like myself."
[12] Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Volume 4, (1998), page 86.
[13] Montaigne, Essays II.10 "Of Books" (http:/ / www. uoregon. edu/ ~rbear/ montaigne/ 2x. htm).
[14] Herbert S. Long, "Introduction", page xix, in the 1972 reprint of the Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Loeb Classical Library
[15] Diogenes Laertius, x. 3-12
[16] Diogenes Laertius, x. 34-135
[17] Herbert S. Long, "Introduction", pages xvii-xviii, in the 1972 reprint of the Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Loeb Classical Library
Works
• Critical edition: Diogenis Laertii Vitae philosophorum edidit Miroslav Marcovich, Stuttgart-Lipsia, Teubner,
1999-2002. Bibliotheca scriptorum Graecorum et Romanorum Teubneriana, vol. 1: Books I—X; vol. 2: Excerpta
Byzantina; v. 3: Indices by Hans Gärtner
• Trans. R. D. Hicks, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, I, 1925. Harvard University Press, Loeb Classical Library,
ISBN 978-0-674-99203-0
• Trans. R. D. Hicks, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, II, 1925. Harvard University Press, Loeb Classical Library,
ISBN 978-0-674-99204-7
22
Diogenes Laërtius
23
Bibliography
• Barnes, Jonathan, "Diogenes Laertius IX 61-116: the philosophy of Pyrrhonism" in W. Haase and H. Temporini
(ed.) Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt, II 36.6 (de Gruyter: Berlin/New York, 1992): pp. 4241–4301.
• Mansfeld, Jaap, Diogenes Laertius on Stoic philosophy Elenchos, 1986, VII: 295-382.
• Mejer, Jørgen, Diogenes Laertius and his Hellenistic background. Wiesbaden, Steiner, 1978.
• Mejer, Jørgen Diogenes Laertius and the transmission of Greek philosophy in W. Haase and H. Temporini (ed.)
Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt, II 36.5 (de Gruyter: Berlin/New York, 1992): pp. 3556–3662.
• Sollenberger, Michael The lives of the Peripatetics: an analysis of the contents and structure of Diogenes
Laertius' Vitae philosophorum Book 5 in W. Haase and H. Temporini (ed.) Aufstieg und Niedergang der
römischen Welt, II 36.6 (de Gruyter: Berlin/New York, 1992): pp. 3793–3879.
External links
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925), Loeb Classical
Library.
• Diogenes Laërtius, Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers (http://classicpersuasion.org/pw/diogenes/),
translated by Charles Duke Yonge (1853) (Uses a different method of enumerating the sections from the modern
editions.)
• Ancient Greek text of Diogenes' Lives (http://www.mikrosapoplous.gr/dl/dl.html)
• Article on the Manuscript versions (http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/manuscripts/diogenes_laertius.htm) at
the Tertullian Project
• A bibliography on the Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers (http://www.ontology.co/biblio/
diogenes-laertius-biblio.htm)
Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers (Greek: Βίοι καὶ
γνῶμαι τῶν ἐν φιλοσοφίᾳ εὐδοκιμησάντων) is a biography of the
Greek philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius, written in Greek, perhaps in
the first half of the third century AD.
Overview
The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, was written in Greek
and professes to give an account of the lives and sayings of the Greek
philosophers. The work doesn't have an exact title in the manuscripts
and appears in various lengthy forms.
Dionysiou monastery, codex 90, a 13th century
manuscript containing selections from Herodotus,
Plutarch and (shown here) Diogenes Laertius
Although it is at best an uncritical and unphilosophical compilation, its
value, as giving us an insight into the private lives of the Greek sages, led Montaigne to write that he wished that
instead of one Laërtius there had been a dozen.[1] On the other hand, modern scholars have advised that we treat
Diogenes' testimonia with care, especially when he fails to cite his sources: "Diogenes has acquired an importance
out of all proportion to his merits because the loss of many primary sources and of the earlier secondary compilations
has accidentally left him the chief continuous source for the history of Greek philosophy."[2]
24
Organization of the work
Laërtius treats his subject in two divisions which he describes as the Ionian and the Italian schools. The biographies
of the former begin with Anaximander, and end with Clitomachus, Theophrastus and Chrysippus; the latter begins
with Pythagoras, and ends with Epicurus. The Socratic school, with its various branches, is classed with the Ionic;
while the Eleatics and sceptics are treated under the Italic. He also includes his own poetic verse, albeit pedestrian,
about the philosophers he discusses.
Books 1-7: Ionian Philosophy
Book 1: The Seven Sages
Thales, Solon, Chilon, Pittacus, Bias, Cleobulus, Periander, Anacharsis, Myson, Epimenides, Pherecydes
Book 2: Socrates, with predecessors and followers
Anaximander, Anaximenes, Anaxagoras, Archelaus, Socrates, Xenophon, Aeschines, Aristippus, Phaedo, Euclides, Stilpo, Crito, Simon, Glaucon,
Simmias, Cebes, Menedemus of Eretria
Book 3: Plato
Plato
Book 4: The Academy
Speusippus, Xenocrates, Polemo, Crates of Athens, Crantor, Arcesilaus, Bion, Lacydes, Carneades, Clitomachus
Book 5: The Peripatetics
Aristotle, Theophrastus, Strato, Lyco, Demetrius, Heraclides
Book 6: The Cynics
Antisthenes, Diogenes of Sinope, Monimus, Onesicritus, Crates of Thebes, Metrocles, Hipparchia, Menippus, Menedemus
Book 7: The Stoics
Zeno of Citium, Aristo, Herillus, Dionysius, Cleanthes, Sphaerus, Chrysippus
Books 8-10: Italian Philosophy
Book 8: Pythagoreans
Pythagoras, Empedocles, Epicharmus, Archytas, Alcmaeon, Hippasus, Philolaus, Eudoxus
Book 9: Uncategorized (Eleatics, Atomists, Skeptics, etc.)
Heraclitus, Xenophanes, Parmenides, Melissus, Zeno of Elea, Leucippus, Democritus, Protagoras, Diogenes of Apollonia, Anaxarchus, Pyrrho,
Timon
Book 10: Epicurus
Epicurus
The work contains incidental remarks on many other philosophers, and there are useful accounts concerning
Hegesias, Anniceris, and Theodorus (Cyrenaics);[3] Persaeus (Stoic);[4] and Metrodorus and Hermarchus
(Epicureans).[5] Book VII is incomplete and breaks off during the life of Chrysippus. From a table of contents in one
of the manuscripts (manuscript P), this book is known to have continued with Zeno of Tarsus, Diogenes,
Apollodorus, Boethus, Mnesarchides, Mnasagoras, Nestor, Basilides, Dardanus, Antipater, Heraclides, Sosigenes,
Panaetius, Hecato, Posidonius, Athenodorus, another Athenodorus, Antipater, Arius, and Cornutus. The whole of
Book X is devoted to Epicurus, and contains three long letters written by Epicurus, which explain Epicurean
doctrines.
His chief authorities were Favorinus and Diocles of Magnesia, but his work also draws (either directly or indirectly)
on books by Antisthenes of Rhodes, Alexander Polyhistor, and Demetrius of Magnesia, as well as works by
Hippobotus, Aristippus, Panaetius, Apollodorus, Sosicrates, Satyrus, Sotion, Neanthes, Hermippus, Antigonus,
25
Heraclides, Hieronymus, and Pamphila[6] [7] From the statements of the pseudo-Burlaeus, in the 14th-century work
De vita et moribus philosophorum, the text of Diogenes seems to have been much fuller than that which we now
possess.
Manuscript editions
There are many extant manuscripts of the Lives, although none of them are especially old, and they all descend from
a common ancestor, because they all lack the end of Book VII.[8] The three most useful manuscripts are known as B,
P, and F. Manuscript B (Codex Borbonicus) dates from the 12th century, and is in the National Library of Naples.[9]
Manuscript P (Paris) and manuscript F (Florence) are probably a little younger.[10]
There seem to have been some early Latin translations, which have no longer survived. A 10th century work entitled
Tractatus de dictis philosophorum shows some knowledge of Diogenes.[11] Henry Aristippus, in the 12th century, is
known to have translated at least some of the work into Latin, and in the 14th century an unknown author made use
of a Latin translation for his De vita et moribus philosophorum[11] (attributed erroneously to Walter Burley).
Printed editions
The first printed editions were Latin translations. The first was by
Ambrogio Traversari, and made before 1432.[11] The Greek text of the
lives of Aristotle and Theophrastus appeared in the third volume of the
Aldine Aristotle in 1497. The first edition of the whole Greek text was
that published by Hieronymus Froben in 1533.[12]
The first critical edition of the entire text, by H.S. Long in the Oxford
Classical Texts, was not produced until 1964;[8] this edition was
superseded by Miroslav Marcovich's Teubner edition, published
between 1999 and 2002. A new edition, by Tiziano Dorandi, is to be
published by Cambridge University Press (see T. Dorandi, Laertiana
Berlin, Walter de Gruyter 2009).
English translations
There have been three English translations of the complete Lives. The
first was a late 17th-century translation by ten different persons.[13] A
better translation was made by Charles Duke Yonge (1853),[14] but
although this was more literal, it still contained many inaccuracies.[15]
The translation by Robert Drew Hicks (1925) for the Loeb Classical
Library,[16] remains the definitive translation, although it is slightly
bowdlerized.
Title page of an edition in Greek and Latin, 1594
Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
Montaigne, Essays II.10 "Of Books" (http:/ / www. uoregon. edu/ ~rbear/ montaigne/ 2x. htm).
Herbert S. Long, "Introduction", page xix, in the 1972 reprint of the Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Loeb Classical Library
Diogenes Laërtius, ii. 93-104
Diogenes Laërtius, vii. 36
Diogenes Laërtius, x. 22-26
Friedrich Nietzsche, Gesammelte Werke (http:/ / www. archive. org/ details/ gesammeltewerke01nietuoft), page 363
Herbert S. Long, "Introduction", page xxi, in the 1972 reprint of the Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Loeb Classical Library
Herbert S. Long, "Introduction", page xxv, in the 1972 reprint of the Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Loeb Classical Library
Robert Drew Hicks. " Introduction (http:/ / www. tertullian. org/ rpearse/ manuscripts/ diogenes_laertius. htm)", in the 1925 edition of the
Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Loeb Classical Library. The statement by Robert Hicks that "the scribe obviously knew no Greek" is roundly
rejected by Herbert Long.
[10] Robert Drew Hicks. " Introduction (http:/ / www. tertullian. org/ rpearse/ manuscripts/ diogenes_laertius. htm)", in the 1925 edition of the
Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Loeb Classical Library
[11] Herbert S. Long, "Introduction", page xxvi, in the 1972 reprint of the Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Loeb Classical Library
[12] Herbert S. Long, "Introduction", page xxiv, in the 1972 reprint of the Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Loeb Classical Library
[13] The Lives, Opinions, and Remarkable Sayings of the most famous Ancient Philosophers, Volume 1 (published 1688), Volume 2 (published
1696).
[14] The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, trans. C. D. Yonge. (1853). Bohn
[15] Herbert S. Long, "Introduction", page xiii, in the 1972 reprint of the Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Loeb Classical Library
[16] Lives of Eminent Philosophers, trans. Robert Drew Hicks. (1925). Loeb Classical Library
External links
•
•
•
•
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925), Loeb Classical
Library.
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers (http://classicpersuasion.org/pw/diogenes/),
translated by Charles Duke Yonge (1853)
Ancient Greek text of Diogenes' Lives (http://www.mikrosapoplous.gr/dl/dl.html)
Article on the Manuscript versions (http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/manuscripts/diogenes_laertius.htm) at
the Tertullian Project
A bibliography on the Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers (http://www.ontology.co/biblio/
diogenes-laertius-biblio.htm)
26
27
The Milesians
Milesian school
The Milesian school was a school of thought founded in the 6th
Century BC. The ideas associated with it are exemplified by three
philosophers from the Ionian town of Miletus, on the Aegean coast of
Anatolia: Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes. They introduced
new opinions contrary to the prevailing viewpoint on how the world
was organized, in which natural phenomena were explained solely by
the will of anthropomorphized gods. The Milesians presented a view of
nature in terms of methodologically observable entities, and as such
was one of the first truly scientific philosophies.
Note: It is important to make a distinction between the Milesian school
and the Ionian, which includes the philosophies of both the Milesians
and other distinctly different Ionian thinkers such as Heraclitus. See
also Pre-Socratic philosophy.
Location of Miletus on the western coast of
Anatolia, home to Thales, Anaximander, and
Anaximenes
Philosophy of nature
These philosophers defined all things by their quintessential substance (which Aristotle, perhaps being
anachronistic,[1] called the αρχή / arche)[2] of which the world was formed and which was the source of everything.
Thales thought it to be water.[3] But as it was impossible to explain some things (such as fire) as being composed of
this element, Anaximander chose an unobserved, undefined element, which he called apeiron[4] (ἀπειρον=having no
limit). He reasoned that if each of the four traditional elements (water, air, fire, and earth) are opposed to the other
three, and if they cancel each other out on contact, none of them could constitute a stable, truly elementary form of
matter. Consequently, there must be another entity from which the others originate, and which must truly be the most
basic element of all.The notion of temporal infinity was familiar to the Greek mind in the religious conception of
immortality and Anaximander's description was in terms appropriate to this conception.This arche is called "eternal
and ageless"(Hippolitus I,6,I;DK B2). The unspecified nature of the apeiron upset critics, which caused Anaximenes
to define it as being air, a more concrete, yet still subtle, element.[5] Anaximenes held that by its evaporation and
condensation, air can change into other elements or substances such as fire, wind, clouds, water, and earth. However,
our modern concept of energy is much more similar to Anaximander's apeiron.
Cosmology
The differences between the three philosophers was not limited to the nature of matter. Each of them conceived of
the universe differently. Thales held that the Earth was floating in water. Anaximander placed the Earth at the center
of a universe composed of hollow, concentric wheels filled with fire, and pierced by holes at various intervals, which
appeared as the sun, the moon, and the other stars. For Anaximenes, the sun and the moon were flat disks traveling
around a heavenly canopy, on which the stars were fixed.
Milesian school
Bibliography
• Lahaye, Robert. La philosophie ionienne. L'École de Milet, Cèdre, Paris, 1966.
References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
Kirk, Raven and Schofield, The Presocratic Philosophers (Cambridge University Press, 1983, 108-109.
Aristotle, Metaphysics Alpha, 983b6ff.
Kirk, Raven and Schofield, 89.
Kirk, Raven and Schofield, 105-108.
Kirk, Raven and Schofield, 143.
28
Thales
29
Thales
Thales of Miletus (Θαλῆς ὁ Μιλήσιος)
Thales
Full name
Thales of Miletus (Θαλῆς ὁ Μιλήσιος)
Born
ca. 624–625 BC
Died
ca. 547–546 BC
School
Ionian, Milesian school, Naturalism
Main interests Ethics, Metaphysics, Mathematics, Astronomy
Notable ideas
Water is the physis, Thales' theorem
Thales of Miletus (pronounced /ˈθeɪliːz/; Greek: Θαλῆς, Thalēs; c. 624 BC – c. 546 BC) was a pre-Socratic Greek
philosopher from Miletus in Asia Minor, and one of the Seven Sages of Greece. Many, most notably Aristotle,
regard him as the first philosopher in the Greek tradition.[1] According to Bertrand Russell, "Western philosophy
begins with Thales."[2] Thales attempted to explain natural phenomena without reference to mythology and was
tremendously influential in this respect. Almost all of the other pre-Socratic philosophers follow him in attempting to
provide an explanation of ultimate substance, change, and the existence of the world—without reference to
mythology. Those philosophers were also influential, and eventually Thales' rejection of mythological explanations
became an essential idea for the scientific revolution. He was also the first to define general principles and set forth
hypotheses, and as a result has been dubbed the "Father of Science", though it is argued that Democritus is actually
more deserving of this title.[3] [4]
In mathematics, Thales used geometry to solve problems such as calculating the height of pyramids and the distance
of ships from the shore. He is credited with the first use of deductive reasoning applied to geometry, by deriving four
corollaries to Thales' Theorem. As a result, he has been hailed as the first true mathematician and is the first known
individual to whom a mathematical discovery has been attributed.[5]
Thales
30
Life
Thales lived around the mid 620s – mid 540s BC and was born in the city
of Miletus. Miletus was an ancient Greek Ionian city on the western coast
of Asia Minor (in what is today the Aydin Province of Turkey), near the
mouth of the Maeander River.
Background
The dates of Thales' life are not known precisely. The time of his life is
roughly established by a few dateable events mentioned in the sources and
an estimate of his length of life. According to Herodotus, Thales once
predicted a solar eclipse which has been determined by modern methods to
have been on May 28, 585 BC.[6] Diogenes Laërtius quotes the chronicle of
Apollodorus as saying that Thales died at 78 in the 58th Olympiad
(548–545), and Sosicrates as reporting that he was 90 at his death.
Marble statue of Thales
As mentioned, according to tradition, Thales was born in Miletus, Asia
Minor. Diogenes Laertius states that ("according to Herodotus and Douris
and Democritus") his parents were Examyes and Cleobuline, Phoenician nobles. Giving another opinion, he
ultimately connects Thales' family line back to Phoenician prince Cadmus. Diogenes also reports two other stories,
one that he married and had a son, Cybisthus or Cybisthon, or adopted his nephew of the same name. The second is
that he never married, telling his mother as a young man that it was too early to marry, and as an older man that it
was too late. A much earlier source - Plutarch - tells the following story: Solon who visited Thales asked him the
reason which kept him single. Thales answered that he did not like the idea of having to worry about children.
Nevertheless, several years later Thales, anxious for family, adopted his nephew Cybisthus.
Thales involved himself in many activities, taking the role of an innovator. Some say that he left no writings, others
that he wrote "On the Solstice" and "On the Equinox". Neither has survived. Diogenes Laërtius quotes letters of
Thales to Pherecydes and Solon, offering to review the book of the former on religion, and offering to keep company
with the latter on his sojourn from Athens. Thales identifies the Milesians as Athenians.[7]
Business
Several anecdotes suggest that Thales was not solely a thinker; he was
involved in business and politics. One story recounts that he bought all
the olive presses in Miletus after predicting the weather and a good
harvest for a particular year. Another version of this same story states
that he bought options for the use of the presses not to become
wealthy, but merely to demonstrate to his fellow Milesians that he
could use his intelligence to enrich himself.[8] This can be considered
the first known example of options trading.
Politics
An olive mill and an olive press dating from
Roman times in Capernaum, Israel.
Thales’ political life had mainly to do with the involvement of the
Ionians in the defense of Anatolia against the growing power of the Persians, who were then new to the region. A
king had come to power in neighboring Lydia, Croesus, who was somewhat too aggressive for the size of his army.
He had conquered most of the states of coastal Anatolia, including the cities of the Ionians. The story is told in
Herodotus.[9]
Thales
31
The Lydians were at war with the Medes, a remnant of the first wave of Persians in the region, over the issue of
refuge the Lydians had given to some Scythian soldiers of fortune inimical to the Medes. The war endured for five
years, but in the sixth an eclipse of the Sun (mentioned above) spontaneously halted a battle in progress (the Battle of
Halys).
It seems that Thales had predicted this solar eclipse. The Seven Sages
were most likely already in existence, as Croesus was also heavily
influenced by Solon of Athens, another sage. Whether Thales was
present at the battle is not known, nor are the exact terms of the
prediction, but based on it the Lydians and Medes made peace
immediately, swearing a blood oath.
Total eclipse of the Sun
The Medes were dependencies of the Persians under Cyrus. Croesus
now sided with the Medes against the Persians and marched in the
direction of Iran (with far fewer men than he needed). He was stopped
by the river Halys, then unbridged. This time he had Thales with him,
perhaps by invitation. Whatever his status, the king gave the problem
to him, and he got the army across by digging a diversion upstream so
as to reduce the flow, making it possible to ford the river. The channels
ran around both sides of the camp.
The two armies engaged at Pteria in Cappadocia. As the battle was indecisive but paralyzing to both sides, Croesus
marched home, dismissed his mercenaries and sent emissaries to his dependents and allies to ask them to dispatch
fresh troops to Sardis. The issue became more pressing when the Persian army showed up at Sardis. Diogenes
Laertius[10] tells us that Thales gained fame as a counsellor when he advised the Milesians not to engage in a
symmachia, a “fighting together”, with the Lydians. This has sometimes been interpreted as an alliance, but a ruler
does not ally with his subjects.
Croesus was defeated before the city of Sardis by Cyrus, who subsequently spared Miletus because it had taken no
action. Cyrus was so impressed by Croesus’ wisdom and his connection with the sages that he spared him and took
his advice on various matters.
The Ionians were now free. Herodotus says that Thales advised them to form an Ionian state; that is, a bouleuterion
(“deliberative body”) to be located at Teos in the center of Ionia. The Ionian cities should be demoi, or “districts”.
Miletus, however, received favorable terms from Cyrus. The others remained in an Ionian League of 12 cities
(excluding Miletus now), and were subjugated by the Persians.
Sagacity
Diogenes Laertius[11] tells us that the Seven Sages were created in the
archonship of Damasius at Athens about 582 BC and that Thales was
the first sage. The same story, however, asserts that Thales emigrated
to Miletus. There is also a report that he did not become a student of
nature until after his political career. Much as we would like to have a
date on the seven sages, we must reject these stories and the tempting
date if we are to believe that Thales was a native of Miletus, predicted
the eclipse, and was with Croesus in the campaign against Cyrus.
Thales had instruction from Egyptian priests, we are told. It was fairly
certain that he came from a wealthy and established family, and the
The Ionic Stoa on the Sacred Way in Miletus
Thales
32
wealthy customarily educated their children. Moreover, the ordinary citizen, unless he was a seafaring man or a
merchant, could not afford the grand tour in Egypt, and in any case did not consort with noble lawmakers such as
Solon.
He did participate in some games, most likely Panhellenic, at which he won a bowl twice. He dedicated it to Apollo
at Delphi. As he was not known to have been athletic, his event was probably declamation, and it may have been
victory in some specific phase of this event that led to his being designated sage.
Theories
The Greeks often invoked idiosyncratic explanations of natural phenomena by reference to the will of
anthropomorphic gods and heroes. Thales, however, aimed to explain natural phenomena via a rational explanation
that referenced natural processes themselves. For example, Thales attempted to explain earthquakes by
hypothesizing that the Earth floats on water, and that earthquakes occur when the Earth is rocked by waves, rather
than assuming that earthquakes were the result of supernatural processes. Thales was a Hylozoist(those who think
matter is alive).[12] It is unclear whether the interpretation that he treated matter as being alive might have been
mistaken for his thinking the properties of nature arise directly from material processes, more consistent with modern
ideas of how properties arise as emergent characteristics of complex systems involved in the processes of evolution
and developmental change.
Thales, according to Aristotle, asked what was the nature (Greek Arche) of the object so that it would behave in its
characteristic way. Physis (φύσις) comes from phyein (φύειν), "to grow", related to our word "be".[13] (G)natura is
the way a thing is "born",[14] again with the stamp of what it is in itself.
Aristotle[15] characterizes most of the philosophers "at first" (πρῶτον) as thinking that the "principles in the form of
matter were the only principles of all things", where "principle" is arche, "matter" is hyle ("wood" or "matter",
"material") and "form" is eidos.
Arche is translated as "principle", but the two words do not have precisely the same meaning. A principle of
something is merely prior (related to pro-) to it either chronologically or logically. An arche (from αρχειν, "to rule")
dominates an object in some way. If the arche is taken to be an origin, then specific causality is implied; that is, B is
supposed to be characteristically B just because it comes from A, which dominates it.
The archai that Aristotle had in mind in his well-known passage on the first Greek scientists are not necessarily
chronologically prior to their objects, but are constituents of it. For example, in pluralism objects are composed of
earth, air, fire and water, but those elements do not disappear with the production of the object. They remain as
archai within it, as do the atoms of the atomists.
What Aristotle is really saying is that the first philosophers were trying to define the substance(s) of which all
material objects are composed. As a matter of fact, that is exactly what modern scientists are attempting to
accomplish in nuclear physics, which is a second reason why Thales is described as the first western scientist.
Water as a first principle
Thales' most famous belief was his cosmological thesis, which held that the world started from water. Aristotle
considered this belief roughly equivalent to the later ideas of Anaximenes, who held that everything in the world was
composed of air.
The best explanation of Thales' view is the following passage from Aristotle's Metaphysics.[16] The passage contains
words from the theory of matter and form that were adopted by science with quite different meanings.
"That from which is everything that exists and from which it first becomes and into which it is rendered at last,
its substance remaining under it, but transforming in qualities, that they say is the element and principle of
things that are."
And again:
Thales
33
"For it is necessary that there be some nature (φύσις), either one or more than one, from which become the
other things of the object being saved... Thales the founder of this type of philosophy says that it is water."[17]
Aristotle's depiction of the problem of change and the definition of substance is clear. If an object changes, is it the
same or different? In either case how can there be a change from one to the other? The answer is that the substance
"is saved", but acquires or loses different qualities (πάθη, the things you "experience").
A deeper dip into the waters of the theory of matter and form is properly reserved to other articles. The question for
this article is, how far does Aristotle reflect Thales? He was probably not far off, and Thales was probably an
incipient matter-and-formist.
The essentially non-philosophic Diogenes Laertius states that Thales taught as follows:
"Water constituted (ὑπεστήσατο, 'stood under') the principle of all things."[18]
Heraclitus Homericus[19] states that Thales drew his conclusion from seeing moist substance turn into air, slime and
earth. It seems likely that Thales viewed the Earth as solidifying from the water on which it floated and which
surrounded Ocean.[citation needed]
Beliefs in divinity
Thales applied his method to objects that changed to become other objects, such as water into earth (he thought). But
what about the changing itself? Thales did address the topic, approaching it through lodestone and amber, which,
when electrified by rubbing together, also attracts. A concern for magnetism and electrification never left science,
being a major part of it today. Even the subatomic particle of electric current is derived from the Greek word
ήλεκτρον (ēlektron), which means "amber".
How was the power to move other things without the movers changing to be explained? Thales saw a commonality
with the powers of living things to act. The lodestone and the amber must be alive, and if that were so, there could be
no difference between the living and the dead. When asked why he didn’t die if there was no difference, he replied
“because there is no difference.”
Aristotle defined the soul as the principle of life, that which imbues the matter and makes it live, giving it the
animation, or power to act. The idea did not originate with him, as the Greeks in general believed in the distinction
between mind and matter, which was ultimately to lead to a distinction not only between body and soul but also
between matter and energy.
If things were alive, they must have souls. This belief was no innovation, as the ordinary ancient populations of the
Mediterranean did believe that natural actions were caused by divinities. Accordingly, the sources say that Thales
believed that "all things were full of gods.".[20] In their zeal to make him the first in everything some said he was the
first to hold the belief, which must have been widely known to be false.
However, Thales was looking for something more general, a universal substance of mind. That also was in the
polytheism of the times. Zeus was the very personification of supreme mind, dominating all the subordinate
manifestations. From Thales on, however, philosophers had a tendency to depersonify or objectify mind, as though it
were the substance of animation per se and not actually a god like the other gods. The end result was a total removal
of mind from substance, opening the door to a non-divine principle of action. This tradition persisted until Einstein,
whose cosmology is quite a different one and does not distinguish between matter and energy.
Classical thought, however, had proceeded only a little way along that path. Instead of referring to the person, Zeus,
they talked about the great mind:
"Thales", says Cicero,[21] "assures that water is the principle of all things; and that God is that Mind which
shaped and created all things from water."
The universal mind appears as a Roman belief in Virgil as well:
"In the beginning, SPIRIT within (spiritus intus) strengthens Heaven and Earth,
Thales
34
The watery fields, and the lucid globe of Luna, and then -Titan stars; and mind (mens) infused through the limbs
Agitates the whole mass, and mixes itself with GREAT MATTER (magno corpore)"[22]
Geometry
Thales was known for his innovative use of geometry. His understanding was theoretical as well as practical. For
example, he said:
Megiston topos: hapanta gar chorei (Μέγιστον τόπος· άπαντα γαρ χωρεί)
”Space is the greatest thing, as it contains all things”
Topos is in Newtonian-style space, since the verb, chorei, has the connotation of yielding before things, or spreading
out to make room for them, which is . Within this extension, things have a position. Points, lines, planes and solids
related by distances and angles follow from this presumption.
Thales understood similar triangles and right triangles, and what is more, used that knowledge in practical ways. The
story is told in DL (loc. cit.) that he measured the height of the pyramids by their shadows at the moment when his
own shadow was equal to his height. A right triangle with two equal legs is a 45-degree right triangle, all of which
are similar. The length of the pyramid’s shadow measured from the center of the pyramid at that moment must have
been equal to its height.
This story indicates that he was familiar with the Egyptian seked, or seqed - the ratio of the run to the rise of a slope
(cotangent). The seked is at the base of problems 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60 of the Rhind papyrus - an ancient Egyptian
mathematics document.
Our cotangents require the same units for run and rise, but the papyrus uses cubits for rise and palms for run,
resulting in different (but still characteristic) numbers. Since there were 7 palms in a cubit, the seked was 7 times the
cotangent.
To use an example often quoted in modern
reference works, suppose the base of a
pyramid is 140 cubits and the angle of rise
5.25 seked. The Egyptians expressed their
fractions as the sum of fractions, but the
decimals are sufficient for the example.
What is the rise in cubits? The run is 70
cubits, 490 palms. X, the rise, is 490 divided
by 5.25 or 93 1/3 cubits. These figures
sufficed for the Egyptians and Thales. We
would go on to calculate the cotangent as 70
divided by 93 1/3 to get 3/4 or .75 and
looking that up in a table of cotangents find
that the angle of rise is a few minutes over
53 degrees.
Whether the ability to use the seked, which
preceded Thales by about 1000 years, means
that he was the first to define trigonometry
is a matter of opinion. More practically
Thales used the same method to measure the
Thales' Theorem :
Thales
35
distances of ships at sea, said Eudemus as reported by Proclus (“in Euclidem”). According to Kirk & Raven
(reference cited below), all you need for this feat is three straight sticks pinned at one end and knowledge of your
altitude. One stick goes vertically into the ground. A second is made level. With the third you sight the ship and
calculate the seked from the height of the stick and its distance from the point of insertion to the line of sight.
The seked is a measure of the angle. Knowledge of two angles (the seked and a right angle) and an enclosed leg (the
altitude) allows you to determine by similar triangles the second leg, which is the distance. Thales probably had his
own equipment rigged and recorded his own sekeds, but that is only a guess.
Thales’ Theorem is stated in another article. (Actually there are two theorems called Theorem of Thales, one having
to do with a triangle inscribed in a circle and having the circle's diameter as one leg, the other theorem being also
called the intercept theorem.) In addition Eudemus attributed to him the discovery that a circle is bisected by its
diameter, that the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal and that vertical angles are equal. It would be hard to
imagine civilization without these theorems.
It is possible, of course, to question whether Thales really did discover these principles. On the other hand, it is not
possible to answer such doubts definitively. The sources are all that we have, even though they sometimes contradict
each other.
(The most we can say is that Thales knew these principles. There is no evidence for Thales discovering these
principles, and, based on the evidence, we cannot say that Thales discovered these principles.)
Interpretations
In the long sojourn of philosophy there has existed hardly a philosopher or historian of philosophy who did not
mention Thales and try to characterize him in some way. He is generally recognized as having brought something
new to human thought. Mathematics, astronomy and medicine already existed. Thales added something to these
different collections of knowledge to produce a universality, which, as far as writing tells us, was not in tradition
before, but resulted in a new field.
Ever since, interested persons have been asking what that new something is. Answers fall into (at least) two
categories, the theory and the method. Once an answer has been arrived at, the next logical step is to ask how Thales
compares to other philosophers, which leads to his classification (rightly or wrongly).
Theory
The most natural epithets of Thales are "materialist" and "naturalist", which are based on ousia and physis. The
Catholic Encyclopedia goes so far as to call him a physiologist, a person who studied physis, despite the fact that we
already have physiologists. On the other hand, he would have qualified as an early physicist, as did Aristotle. They
studied corpora, "bodies", the medieval descendants of substances.
Most agree that Thales' stamp on thought is the unity of substance, hence Bertrand Russell:[23]
"The view that all matter is one is quite a reputable scientific hypothesis."
"...But it is still a handsome feat to have discovered that a substance remains the same in different states of
aggregation."
Russell was only reflecting an established tradition; for example: Nietzsche, in his Philosophy in the Tragic Age of
the Greeks, wrote:[24]
"Greek philosophy seems to begin with an absurd notion, with the proposition that water is the primal origin
and the womb of all things. Is it really necessary for us to take serious notice of this proposition? It is, and for
three reasons. First, because it tells us something about the primal origin of all things; second, because it does
so in language devoid of image or fable, and finally, because contained in it, if only embryonically, is the
thought, 'all things are one.'"
Thales
36
This sort of materialism, however, should not be confused with deterministic materialism. Thales was only trying to
explain the unity observed in the free play of the qualities. The arrival of uncertainty in the modern world made
possible a return to Thales; for example, John Elof Boodin writes ("God and Creation"):
"We cannot read the universe from the past..."
Boodin defines an "emergent" materialism, in which the objects of sense emerge uncertainly from the substrate.
Thales is the innovator of this sort of materialism.
The Rise of Theoretical Inquiry
In the West, Thales represents a new kind of inquiring community as well. Edmund Husserl[25] attempts to capture
the new movement as follows. Philosophical man is a "new cultural configuration" based in stepping back from
"pregiven tradition" and taking up a rational "inquiry into what is true in itself;" that is, an ideal of truth. It begins
with isolated individuals such as Thales, but they are supported and cooperated with as time goes on. Finally the
ideal transforms the norms of society, leaping across national borders.
Classification
The term "Pre-Socratic" derives ultimately from the philosopher Aristotle, who distinguished the early philosophers
as concerning themselves with substance.
Diogenes Laertius on the other hand took a strictly geographic and ethnic approach. Philosophers were either Ionian
or Italian. He used "Ionian" in a broader sense, including also the Athenian academics, who were not Pre-Socratics.
From a philosophic point of view, any grouping at all would have been just as effective. There is no basis for an
Ionian or Italian unity. Some scholars, however, concede to Diogenes' scheme as far as referring to an "Ionian"
school. There was no such school in any sense.
The most popular approach refers to a Milesian school, which is more justifiable socially and philosophically. They
sought for the substance of phenomena and may have studied with each other. Some ancient writers qualify them as
Milesioi, "of Miletus."
Influence on others
Thales
37
Thales had a profound influence on other Greek thinkers and therefore
on Western history. Some believe Anaximander was a pupil of Thales.
Early sources report that one of Anaximander's more famous pupils,
Pythagoras, visited Thales as a young man, and that Thales advised
him to travel to Egypt to further his philosophical and mathematical
studies.
Many philosophers followed Thales' lead in searching for explanations
in nature rather than in the supernatural; others returned to supernatural
explanations, but couched them in the language of philosophy rather
than of myth or of religion.
Looking specifically at Thales' influence during the pre-Socratic era, it
is clear that he stood out as one of the first thinkers who thought more
in the way of logos than mythos. The difference between these two
more profound ways of seeing the world is that mythos is concentrated
around the stories of holy origin, while logos is concentrated around
Thales (Electricity), sculpture from "The Progress
the argumentation. When the mythical man wants to explain the world
of Railroading" (1908), main facade of Union
Station (Washington, DC)
the way he sees it, he explains it based on gods and powers. Mythical
thought does not differentiate between things and persons and
furthermore it does not differentiate between nature and culture. The way a logos thinker would present a world view
is radically different from the way of the mythical thinker. In its concrete form, logos is a way of thinking not only
about individualism, but also the abstract. Furthermore, it focuses on sensible and continuous argumentation. This
lays the foundation of philosophy and its way of explaining the world in terms of abstract argumentation, and not in
the way of gods and mythical stories.
Sources
Our sources on the Milesian philosophers (Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes) were either roughly
contemporaneous (such as Herodotus) or lived within a few hundred years of his passing. Moreover, they were
writing from a tradition that was well-known. Most modern dissension comes from trying to interpret what we know,
in particular, distinguishing legend from fact.
The main secondary source concerning the details of Thales' life and career is Diogenes Laertius, "Lives of Eminent
Philosophers".[26] This is primarily a biographical work, as the name indicates. Compared to Aristotle, Diogenes is
not much of a philosopher. He is the one who, in the Prologue to that work, is responsible for the division of the
early philosophers into "Ionian" and "Italian", but he places the Academics in the Ionian school and otherwise
evidences considerable disarray and contradiction, especially in the long section on forerunners of the "Ionian
School". Diogenes quotes two letters attributed to Thales, but Diogenes wrote some eight centuries after Thales'
death and that his sources often contained "unreliable or even fabricated information",[27] hence the concern for
separating fact from legend in accounts of Thales.
Most philosophic analyses of the philosophy of Thales come from Aristotle, a professional philosopher, tutor of
Alexander the Great, who wrote 200 years after Thales death. Aristotle, judging from his surviving books, does not
seem to have access to any works by Thales, although he probably had access to works of other authors about
Thales, such as Herodotus, Hecataeus, Plato etc, as well as others whose work is now extinct. It was Aristotle's
express goal to present Thales work not because it was significant in itself, but as a prelude to his own work in
natural philosophy.[28] Geoffrey Kirk and John Raven, English compilers of the fragments of the Pre-Socratics,
assert that Aristotle's "judgments are often distorted by his view of earlier philosophy as a stumbling progress toward
the truth that Aristotle himself revealed in his physical doctrines."[29] There was also an extensive oral tradition.
Thales
Both the oral and the written were commonly read or known by all educated men in the region.
Aristotle's philosophy had a distinct stamp: it professed the theory of matter and form, which modern scholastics
have dubbed hylomorphism. Though once very widespread, it was not generally adopted by rationalist and modern
science, as it mainly is useful in metaphysical analyses, but does not lend itself to the detail that is of interest to
modern science. It is not clear that the theory of matter and form existed as early as Thales, and if it did, whether
Thales espoused it.
Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
Aristotle, Metaphysics Alpha, 983b18.
Russell, Bertrand (1945). The History of Western Philosophy. New York: Simon and Schuster.
Singer, C. (2008). A Short History of Science to the 19th century. Streeter Press. p. 35.
Needham, C. W. (1978). Cerebral Logic: Solving the Problem of Mind and Brain. Loose Leaf. p. 75. ISBN 039803754X.
(Boyer 1991, "Ionia and the Pythagoreans" p. 43)
Herodotus, 1.74.2 (http:/ / www. perseus. tufts. edu/ cgi-bin/ ptext?lookup=Hdt. + 1. 74. 1), and A. D. Godley's footnote 1; Pliny, 2.9 (12)
(http:/ / www. perseus. tufts. edu/ cgi-bin/ ptext?lookup=Plin. + Nat. + 2. 9) and Bostock's footnote 2.
[7] Diogenes Laërtius, 1.43, 44.
[8] Aristotle, Politics 1259a (http:/ / www. perseus. tufts. edu/ cgi-bin/ ptext?lookup=Aristot. + Pol. + 1. 1259a)
[9] Book 1
[10] 1.25
[11] 1.22
[12] Farrington, B., 1944 Greek Science. Pelican
[13] English physics (http:/ / www. bartleby. com/ 61/ 77/ P0277700. html) comes from it, but the latter is a Greek loan. In addition the quite
ancient native English word be (http:/ / www. bartleby. com/ 61/ roots/ IE62. html) comes from the same Indo-European root.
[14] The initial g of the archaic Latin gives the root away as *genə- (http:/ / www. bartleby. com/ 61/ roots/ IE143. html), "beget."
[15] Metaphysics 983b6
[16] 983 b6 8-11
[17] Lines 17-21 with gaps.
[18] Work cited, paragraph 27.
[19] Quaes. Hom. 22, not the same as Heraclitus of Ephesus
[20] Aristotle, De Anima, 411a7. For other ancient sources see the discussion in Kirk and Raven, The Presocratic Philosophers, 93-7.
[21] De natura Deorum, i.,10
[22] Virgil:"Aeneid," vi., 724-727.)
[23] Wisdom of the West
[24] § 3
[25] The Vienna Lecture
[26] Translation of his biography on Thales: Thales (http:/ / www. classicpersuasion. org/ pw/ diogenes/ dlthales. htm), classicpersuasion site;
original Greek text, under ΘΑΛΗΣ (http:/ / www. mikrosapoplous. gr/ dl/ dl01. html#thales), the Library of Ancient Texts Online site.
[27] See McKirahan, Richard D., Jr. (1994). Philosophy Before Socrates. Indianapolis: Hackett. p. 5. ISBN 0872201767.
[28] See Aristotle, Metaphysics Alpha, 983b 1-27.
[29] Kirk and Raven, The Presocratic Philosophers, Second Edition (Cambridge University Press, 1983) 3.
References
• Burnet, John (1957) [1892]. Early Greek Philosophy. The Meridian Library. (reprinted from the 4th edition, 1930;
the first edition was published in 1892). An online presentation of the Third Edition (http://faculty.evansville.
edu/tb2/courses/phil211/burnet/) can be found in the Online Books Library of the University of Pennsylvania.
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Thales, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
• Herodotus; Histories, A. D. Godley (translator), Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1920; ISBN 0674991338.
Online version (http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Hdt.+1.1.0) at the Perseus Digital
Library.
• Kirk, G.S.; Raven, J.E. (1957). The Presocratic Philosophers. Cambridge: University Press. (subsequently
reprinted)
• G. E. R. Lloyd. Early Greek Science: Thales to Aristotle.
38
Thales
• Nahm, Milton C. (1962) [1934]. Selections from Early Greek Philosophy. Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc.
• Pliny the Elder; The Natural History (eds. John Bostock, M.D., F.R.S. H.T. Riley, Esq., B.A.) London. Taylor
and Francis, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street. (1855). Online version (http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/
ptext?lookup=Plin.+Nat.+toc) at the Perseus Digital Library.
Further reading
• Morse, Sidney H.; Marvin, Joseph B., The Radical (http://books.google.com/books?id=kIAQAAAAIAAJ&
pg=PA170&lpg=PA170&dq=thales+sound+mind+in+sound+body&source=bl&ots=73Il9ErYW3&
sig=Bdpml5rYncGWPcq8y1AqYoSRy7c#PPA170,M1), A. Williams & Co., 1868. Cf. p. 170 and on.
External links
• Thales of Miletus from The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (http://www.iep.utm.edu/t/thales.htm)
• Thales of Miletus (http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Mathematicians/Thales.html) from the
MacTutor History of Mathematics archive
• Livius (http://www.livius.org), Thales of Miletus (http://www.livius.org/th/thales/thales.html) by Jona
Lendering
• Thales (http://www.philosophy.gr/presocratics/thales.htm)
• Thales' Theorem - Math Open Reference (http://www.mathopenref.com/thalestheorem.html) With interactive
animation
• Thales biography by Charlene Douglass (http://www.mathopenref.com/thales.html) With extensive
bibliography.
39
Anaximander
40
Anaximander
Anaximander (Ἀναξίμανδρος)
Detail of Raphael's painting The School of Athens, 1510–1511. This could be a representation of Anaximander leaning towards Pythagoras on his
[1]
left.
Full name
Anaximander (Ἀναξίμανδρος)
Born
c. 610 BC
Died
c. 546 BC (aged around 64)
Era
Region
Western Philosophy
School
Ionian Philosophy, Milesian school, Naturalism
Main interests
Metaphysics, astronomy, geometry, geography
Notable ideas
The apeiron is the first principle
Anaximander (Ancient Greek: Ἀναξίμανδρος, Anaximandros) (c. 610 BC – c. 546 BC) was a pre-Socratic Greek
philosopher who lived in Miletus, a city of Ionia; Milet in modern Turkey. He belonged to the Milesian school and
learned the teachings of his master Thales. He succeeded Thales and became the second master of that school where
he counted Anaximenes and Pythagoras amongst his pupils.
Little of his life and work is known today. According to available historical documents, he is the first philosopher
known to have written down his studies,[2] although only one fragment of his work remains. Fragmentary
testimonies found in documents after his death provide a portrait of the man.
Anaximander was one of the earliest Greek thinkers at the start of the Axial Age, the period from approximately 700
BC to 200 BC, during which similarly revolutionary thinking appeared in China, India, Iran, the Near East, and
Ancient Greece. He was an early proponent of science and tried to observe and explain different aspects of the
universe, with a particular interest in its origins, claiming that nature is ruled by laws, just like human societies, and
anything that disturbs the balance of nature does not last long.[3] Like many thinkers of his time, Anaximander's
contributions to philosophy relate to many disciplines. In astronomy, he tried to describe the mechanics of celestial
bodies in relation to the Earth. In physics, his postulation that the indefinite (or apeiron) was the source of all things
led Greek philosophy to a new level of conceptual abstraction. His knowledge of geometry allowed him to introduce
the gnomon in Greece. He created a map of the world that contributed greatly to the advancement of geography. He
was also involved in the politics of Miletus and was sent as a leader to one of its colonies.
Anaximander claimed that an 'indefinite' (apeiron) principle gives rise to all natural phenomena. Carl Sagan claims
that he conducted the earliest recorded scientific experiment.[4]
Anaximander
Biography
Anaximander, son of Praxiades, was born in Miletus during the third year of the 42nd Olympiad (610 BC).[5]
According to Apollodorus, Greek grammarian of the 2nd century BC, he was sixty-four years old during the second
year of the 58th Olympiad (547-546 BC), and died shortly afterwards.[6]
Establishing a timeline of his work is now impossible, since no document provides chronological references.
Themistius, a 4th century Byzantine rhethorician, mentions that he was the "first of the known Greeks to publish a
written document on nature." Therefore his texts would be amongst the earliest written in prose, at least in the
Western world. By the time of Plato, his philosophy was almost forgotten, and Aristotle, his successor Theophrastus
and a few doxographers provide us with the little information that remains. However, we know from Aristotle that
Thales, also from Miletus, precedes Anaximander. It is debatable whether Thales actually was the teacher of
Anaximander, but there is no doubt that Anaximander was influenced by Thales' theory that everything is derived
from water. One thing that is not debatable is that even the ancient Greeks considered Anaximander to be from the
Monist school which began in Miletus with Thales followed by Anaximander and finished with Anaximenes.[7] 3rd
century Roman rhetorician Aelian depicts him as leader of the Milesian colony to Apollonia on the Black Sea coast,
and hence some have inferred that he was a prominent citizen. Indeed, Various History (III, 17) explains that
philosophers sometimes also dealt with political matters. It is very likely that leaders of Miletus sent him there as a
legislator to create a constitution or simply to maintain the colony’s allegiance.
Theories
Anaximander's theories were influenced by the Greek mythical tradition, and by some ideas of Thales – the father of
philosophy – as well as by observations made by older civilizations in the East (especially by the Babylonian
astrologists).[8] All these were elaborated rationally. In his desire to find some universal principle, he assumed like
traditional religion the existence of a cosmic order and in elaborating his ideas on this he used the old mythical
language which ascribed divine control to various spheres of reality. This was a common practice for the Greek
philosophers in a society which saw gods everywhere, therefore they could fit their ideas into a tolerably elastic
system.[9]
Some scholars saw a gap between the existing mythical and the new rational way of thought which is the main
characteristic of the archaic period (8th to 6th century BC) in the Greek city states. Because of this, they didn't
hesitate to speak for a 'Greek miracle'. But if we follow carefully the course of Anaximander's ideas, we will notice
that there was not such an abrupt break as initially appears. The basic elements of nature (water, air, fire, earth)
which the first Greek philosophers believed that constituted the universe represent in fact the primordial forces of
previous thought. Their collision produced what the mythical tradition had called cosmic harmony. In the old
cosmogonies – Hesiod (8th-7th century BC) and Pherecydes (6th century BC) – Zeus establishes his order in the
world by destroying the powers which were threatening this harmony, (the Titans). Anaximander claimed that the
cosmic order is not monarchic but geometric and this causes the equilibrium of the earth which is lying in the centre
of the universe. This is the projection on nature of a new political order and a new space organized around a centre
which is the static point of the system in the society as in nature.[10] In this space there is isonomy (equal rights) and
all the forces are symmetrical and transferrable. The decisions are now taken by the assembly of demos in the agora
which is lying in the middle of the city.[11]
The same rational way of thought led him to introduce the abstract apeiron (indefinite, infinite, boundless,
unlimited[12] ) as an origin of the universe, a concept that is probably influenced by the original Chaos (gaping void,
abyss, formless state) of the mythical Greek cosmogony from which everything else appeared.[13] It also takes notice
of the mutual changes between the four elements. Origin, then, must be something else unlimited in its source, that
could create without experiencing decay, so that genesis would never stop.[14]
41
Anaximander
Apeiron
The bishop Hippolytus of Rome (I, 5), and the later 6th century Byzantine philosopher Simplicius of Cilicia,
attribute to Anaximander the earliest use of the word apeíron (ἄπειρον infinite or limitless) to designate the original
principle. He was the first philosopher to employ, in a philosophical context, the term arkhế (ἀρχή), which until then
had meant beginning or origin. For him, it became no longer a mere point in time, but a source that could perpetually
give birth to whatever will be. The indefiniteness is spatial in early usages as in Homer (indefinite sea) and as in
Xenophanes (6th century BC) who said that the earth went down indefinitely (to apeiron) i.e. beyond the imagination
or concept of men.[15]
Aristotle writes (Metaphysics, I III 3-4) that the Pre-Socratics were searching for the element that constitutes all
things. While each pre-Socratic philosopher gave a different answer as to the identity of this element (water for
Thales and air for Anaximenes), Anaximander understood the beginning or first principle to be an endless, unlimited
primordial mass (apeiron), subject to neither old age nor decay, that perpetually yielded fresh materials from which
everything we perceive is derived.[16] He proposed the theory of the apeiron in direct response to the earlier theory of
his teacher, Thales, who had claimed that the primary substance was water. The notion of temporal infinity was
familiar to the Greek mind from remote antiquity in the religious concept of immortality and Anaximander's
description was in terms appropriate to this conception. This arche is called "eternal and ageless". (Hippolitus
I,6,I;DK B2)[17]
For Anaximander, the principle of things, the constituent of all substances, is nothing determined and not an element
such as water in Thales' view. Neither is it something halfway between air and water, or between air and fire, thicker
than air and fire, or more subtle than water and earth.[18] Anaximander argues that water cannot embrace all of the
opposites found in nature — for example, water can only be wet, never dry — and therefore cannot be the one
primary substance; nor could any of the other candidates. He postulated the apeiron as a substance that, although not
directly perceptible to us, could explain the opposites he saw around him.
Anaximander explains how the four elements of ancient physics (air, earth, water and fire) are formed, and how
Earth and terrestrial beings are formed through their interactions. Unlike other Pre-Socratics, he never defines this
principle precisely, and it has generally been understood (e.g., by Aristotle and by Saint Augustine) as a sort of
primal chaos. According to him, the Universe originates in the separation of opposites in the primordial matter. It
embraces the opposites of hot and cold, wet and dry, and directs the movement of things; an entire host of shapes and
differences then grow that are found in "all the worlds" (for he believed there were many).
Anaximander maintains that all dying things are returning to the element from which they came (apeiron). The one
surviving fragment of Anaximander's writing deals with this matter. Simplicius transmitted it as a quotation, which
describes the balanced and mutual changes of the elements:[19]
Whence things have their origin,
Thence also their destruction happens,
According to necessity;
For they give to each other justice and recompense
For their injustice
In conformity with the ordinance of Time.
Simplicius mentions that Anaximander said all these "in poetic terms", meaning that he used the old mythical
language. The goddess Justice (Dike) keeps the cosmic order. This concept of returning to the element of origin was
often revisited afterwards, notably by Aristotle,[20] and by the Greek tragedian Euripides: "what comes from earth
must return to earth."[21] Friedrich Nietzsche, in his Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks, stated that
Anaximander viewed "...all coming-to-be as though it were an illegitimate emancipation from eternal being, a wrong
for which destruction is the only penance."[22]
42
Anaximander
43
Cosmology
Anaximander's bold use of non-mythological
explanatory
hypotheses
considerably
distinguishes him from previous cosmology
writers such as Hesiod. It confirms that
pre-Socratic philosophers were making an early
effort to demythify physical processes. His
major contribution to history was writing the
oldest prose document about the Universe and
the origins of life; for this he is often called the
"Father of Cosmology" and founder of
astronomy. However, pseudo-Plutarch states that
he still viewed celestial bodies as deities.[23]
Anaximander was the first to conceive a
mechanical model of the world. In his model, the
Earth floats very still in the centre of the infinite,
not supported by anything. It remains "in the
same place because of its indifference", a point
Map of Anaximander's universe
of view that Aristotle considered ingenious, but
false, in On the Heavens.[24] Its curious shape is
that of a cylinder[25] with a height one-third of its diameter. The flat top forms the inhabited world, which is
surrounded by a circular oceanic mass.
Such a model allowed the concept that celestial bodies could pass under it. It goes further than Thales’ claim of a
world floating on water, for which Thales faced the problem of explaining what would contain this ocean, while
Anaximander solved it by introducing his concept of infinite (apeiron).
At the origin, after the separation of
hot and cold, a ball of flame appeared
that surrounded Earth like bark on a
tree. This ball broke apart to form the
rest of the Universe. It resembled a
system of hollow concentric wheels,
filled with fire, with the rims pierced
by holes like those of a flute.
Consequently, the Sun was the fire that
one could see through a hole the same
size as the Earth on the farthest wheel,
and an eclipse corresponded with the
occlusion of that hole. The diameter of
the solar wheel was twenty-seven
times that of the Earth (or
Illustration of Anaximander's models of the universe. On the left, daytime in summer; on
twenty-eight, depending on the
the right, nighttime in winter.
sources)[26] and the lunar wheel,
whose fire was less intense, eighteen (or nineteen) times. Its hole could change shape, thus explaining lunar phases.
The stars and the planets, located closer,[27] followed the same model.[28]
Anaximander
Anaximander was the first astronomer to consider the Sun as a huge mass, and consequently, to realize how far from
Earth it might be, and the first to present a system where the celestial bodies turned at different distances.
Furthermore, according to Diogenes Laertius (II, 2), he built a celestial sphere. This invention undoubtedly made
him the first to realize the obliquity of the Zodiac as the Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder reports in Natural
History (II, 8). It is a little early to use the term ecliptic, but his knowledge and work on astronomy confirm that he
must have observed the inclination of the celestial sphere in relation to the plane of the Earth to explain the seasons.
The doxographer and theologian Aetius attributes to Pythagoras the exact measurement of the obliquity.
Multiple worlds
According to Simplicius, Anaximander already speculated on the plurality of worlds, similar to atomists Leucippus
and Democritus, and later philosopher Epicurus. These thinkers supposed that worlds appeared and disappeared for a
while, and that some were born when others perished. They claimed that this movement was eternal, "for without
movement, there can be no generation, no destruction".[29]
In addition to Simplicius, Hippolytus[30] reports Anaximander's claim that from the infinite comes the principle of
beings, which themselves come from the heavens and the worlds (several doxographers use the plural when this
philosopher is referring to the worlds within,[31] which are often infinite in quantity). Cicero writes that he attributes
different gods to the countless worlds.[32]
This theory places Anaximander close to the Atomists and the Epicureans who, more than a century later, also
claimed that an infinity of worlds appeared and disappeared. In the timeline of the Greek history of thought, some
thinkers conceptualized a single world (Plato, Aristotle, Anaxagoras and Archelaus), while others instead speculated
on the existence of a series of worlds, continuous or non-continuous (Anaximenes, Heraclitus, Empedocles and
Diogenes).
Meteorological phenomena
Anaximander attributed some phenomena, such as thunder and lightning, to the intervention of elements, rather than
to divine causes.[33] In his system, thunder results from the shock of clouds hitting each other; the loudness of the
sound is proportionate with that of the shock. Thunder without lightning is the result of the wind being too weak to
emit any flame, but strong enough to produce a sound. A flash of lightning without thunder is a jolt of the air that
disperses and falls, allowing a less active fire to break free. Thunderbolts are the result of a thicker and more violent
air flow.[34]
He saw the sea as a remnant of the mass of humidity that once surrounded Earth.[35] A part of that mass evaporated
under the sun's action, thus causing the winds and even the rotation of the celestial bodies, which he believed were
attracted to places where water is more abundant.[36] He explained rain as a product of the humidity pumped up from
Earth by the sun.[5] For him, the Earth was slowly drying up and water only remained in the deepest regions, which
someday would go dry as well. According to Aristotle's Meteorology (II, 3), Democritus also shared this opinion.
Origin of humankind
Anaximander speculated about the beginnings and origin of animal life. Taking into account the existence of fossils,
he claimed that animals sprang out of the sea long ago. The first animals were born trapped in a spiny bark, but as
they got older, the bark would dry up and break.[37] As the early humidity evaporated, dry land emerged and, in time,
humankind had to adapt. The 3rd century Roman writer Censorinus reports:
Anaximander of Miletus considered that from warmed up water and earth emerged either fish or entirely
fishlike animals. Inside these animals, men took form and embryos were held prisoners until puberty; only
then, after these animals burst open, could men and women come out, now able to feed themselves.[38]
44
Anaximander
45
Anaximander put forward the idea that humans had to spend part of this transition inside the mouths of big fish to
protect themselves from the Earth's climate until they could come out in open air and lose their scales.[39] He thought
that, considering humans' extended infancy, we could not have survived in the primeval world in the same manner
we do presently.
Even though he had no theory of natural selection, some people consider him as evolution's most ancient proponent.
The theory of an aquatic descent of man was re-conceived centuries later as the aquatic ape hypothesis. These
pre-Darwinian concepts may seem strange, considering modern knowledge and scientific methods, because they
present complete explanations of the universe while using bold and hard-to-demonstrate hypotheses. However, they
illustrate the beginning of a phenomenon sometimes called the "Greek miracle": men try to explain the nature of the
world, not with the aid of myths or religion, but with material principles. This is the very principle of scientific
thought, which was later advanced further by improved research methods.
Other accomplishments
Cartography
Both Strabo and Agathemerus (later Greek
geographers) claim that, according to the
geographer Eratosthenes, Anaximander was the
first to publish a map of the world. The map
probably inspired the Greek historian Hecataeus
of Miletus to draw a more accurate version.
Strabo viewed both as the first geographers after
Homer.
Maps were produced in ancient times, also
notably in Egypt, Lydia, the Middle East, and
Babylon. Only some small examples survived
until today. The unique example of a world map
comes from late Babylonian tablet BM 92687
later than 9th century BCE but is based probably
on a much older map. These maps indicated
directions, roads, towns, borders, and geological
features. Anaximander's innovation was to
represent the entire inhabited land known to the
ancient Greeks.
[40]
Possible rendering of Anaximander's world map
Such an accomplishment is more significant than it at first appears. Anaximander most likely drew this map for three
reasons.[41] First, it could be used to improve navigation and trade between Miletus's colonies and other colonies
around the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea. Second, Thales would probably have found it easier to convince the
Ionian city-states to join in a federation in order to push the Median threat away if he possessed such a tool. Finally,
the philosophical idea of a global representation of the world simply for the sake of knowledge was reason enough to
design one.
Surely aware of the sea's convexity, he may have designed his map on a slightly rounded metal surface. The centre
or “navel” of the world (ὀμφαλός γῆς omphalós gẽs) could have been Delphi, but is more likely in Anaximander's
time to have been located near Miletus. The Aegean Sea was near the map's centre and enclosed by three continents,
themselves located in the middle of the ocean and isolated like islands by sea and rivers. Europe was bordered on the
south by the Mediterranean Sea and was separated from Asia by the Black Sea), the Lake Maeotis, and, further east,
Anaximander
either by the Phasis River (now called the Rioni) or the Tanais. The Nile flowed south into the ocean, separating
Libya (which was the name for the part of the then-known African continent) from Asia.
Gnomon
The Suda relates that Anaximander explained some basic notions of geometry. It also mentions his interest in the
measurement of time and associates him with the introduction in Greece of the gnomon. In Lacedaemon, he
participated in the construction, or at least in the adjustment, of sundials to indicate solstices and equinoxes.[42]
Indeed, a gnomon required adjustments from a place to another because of the difference in latitude.
In his time, the gnomon was simply a vertical pillar or rod mounted on a horizontal plane. The position of its shadow
on the plane indicated the time of day. As it moves through its apparent course, the sun draws a curve with the tip of
the projected shadow, which is shortest at noon, when pointing due south. The variation in the tip’s position at noon
indicates the solar time and the seasons; the shadow is longest on the winter solstice and shortest on the summer
solstice.
However, the invention of the gnomon itself cannot be attributed to Anaximander because its use, as well as the
division of days into twelve parts, came from the Babylonians. It is they, according to Herodotus' Histories (II, 109),
who gave the Greeks the art of time measurement. It is likely that he was not the first to determine the solstices,
because no calculation is necessary. On the other hand, equinoxes do not correspond to the middle point between the
positions during solstices, as the Babylonians thought. As the Suda seems to suggest, it is very likely that with his
knowledge of geometry, he became the first Greek to accurately determine the equinoxes.
Prediction of an earthquake
In his philosophical work De Divinatione (I, 50, 112), Cicero states that Anaximander convinced the inhabitants of
Lacedaemon to abandon their city and spend the night in the country with their weapons because an earthquake was
near.[43] The city collapsed when the top of the Taygetus split like the stern of a ship. Pliny the Elder also mentions
this anecdote (II, 81), suggesting that it came from an "admirable inspiration", as opposed to Cicero, who did not
associate the prediction with divination.
Interpretations
Bertrand Russell in the History of Western Philosophy interprets Anaximander's theories as an assertion of the
necessity of an appropriate balance between earth, fire, and water, all of which may be independently seeking to
aggrandize their proportions relative to the others. Anaximander seems to express his belief that a natural order
ensures balance between these elements, that where there was fire, ashes (earth) now exist.[44] His Greek peers
echoed this sentiment with their belief in natural boundaries beyond which not even their gods could operate.
Friedrich Nietzsche, in Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks, claimed that Anaximander was a pessimist who
asserted that the primal being of the world was a state of indefiniteness. In accordance with this, anything definite
has to eventually pass back into indefiniteness. In other words, Anaximander viewed "...all coming-to-be as though it
were an illegitimate emancipation from eternal being, a wrong for which destruction is the only penance". (Ibid., § 4)
The world of individual objects, in this way of thinking, has no worth and should perish.[45]
Martin Heidegger lectured extensively on Anaximander, and delivered a lecture entitled "Anaximander's Saying"
which was subsequently included in Off the Beaten Track. The lecture examines the ontological difference and the
oblivion of Being or Dasein in the context of the Anaximander fragment.[46] Heidegger's lecture is, in turn, an
important influence on the French philosopher Jacques Derrida.[47]
46
Anaximander
Works
According to the Suda:[48]
•
•
•
•
On Nature (Περὶ φύσεως / Perì phúseôs)
Around the Earth (Γῆς περίοδος / Gễs períodos)
On Fixed Bodies (Περὶ τῶν ἀπλανῶν / Perì tỗn aplanỗn)
The Sphere (Σφαῖρα / Sphaĩra)
Footnotes
[1] This character is traditionally associated with Boethius, however his face offering similarities with a bust of Anaximander, it could be a
representation of the philosopher.See http:/ / www. mlahanas. de/ Greeks/ SchoolAthens2. htm for a description of the characters in this
painting.
[2] Themistius, Oratio 36, §317
[3] Park, David (2005) The Grand Contraption, Princeton University Press ISBN 0-691-12133-8
[4] Sagan, Carl (1985) Cosmos, Ballantine Books, ISBN 0-345-33135-4, pg 143-144.
[5] Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies (I, 5)
[6] In his Chronicles, as reported by Diogenes Laërtius, Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers (II, 2).
[7] Richard D. McKirahan, Philosophy before Socrates, Ch 5, 32-34
[8] C. Mosse (1984) La Grece archaique d' Homere a Eschyle. Edition du Seuil. p236
[9] C. M. Bowra (1957) The Greek experience. World publishing Company. Cleveland and New York. p168,169.
[10] C. Mosse (1984) La Grece archaique d'Homere a Eschyle. Edition du Seuil. p 235
[11] J. P. Vernart (1982) Les origins de la pensee grecque. PUF Pariw. p 128, J. P. Vernart (1982) The origins of the Greek thought. Cornell
University Press.
[12] ἀπείρων (http:/ / www. perseus. tufts. edu/ hopper/ text?doc=Perseus:text:1999. 04. 0057:entry=a)pei/ rwn2), Henry George Liddell, Robert
Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
[13] The Theogony of Hesiod, Transl. H. G. Evelyn White, 736-740
[14] Aetios, I 3,3 [ Pseudo-Plutarch; DK 12 A 14.]; Aristotle, Phys. Γ5,204b 23sq. [DK 12 A 16.]
[15] G.S.Kirk,J.E.Raven and M.Schofield (2003). The Presocratic Philosophers (http:/ / books. google. com/ ?id=kFpd86J8PLsC& pg).
Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521274555. .p 110
[16] Pseudo-Plutarch, The Doctrines of the Philosophers (I, 3).
[17] William Keith Chambers Guthrie (2000). A History of Greek Philosophy (http:/ / books. google. com/ ?id=ogUR3V9wbbIC& pg).
Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521294201. . p83
[18] Aristotle, On Generation and Corruption (II, 5)
[19] Simplicius, Comments on Aristotle's Physics (24, 13):
"Ἀναξίμανδρος [...] λέγει δ' αὐτὴν μήτε ὕδωρ μήτε ἄλλο τι τῶν καλουμένων εἶναι στοιχείων, ἀλλ' ἑτέραν
τινὰ φύσιν ἄπειρον, ἐξ ἧς ἅπαντας γίνεσθαι τοὺς οὐρανοὺς καὶ τοὺς ἐν αὐτοῖς κόσμους· ἐξ ὧν δὲ ἡ
γένεσίς ἐστι τοῖς οὖσι, καὶ τὴν φθορὰν εἰς ταῦτα γίνεσθαι κατὰ τὸ χρεών· διδόναι γὰρ αὐτὰ δίκην καὶ
τίσιν ἀλλήλοις τῆς ἀδικίας κατὰ τὴν τοῦ χρόνου τάξιν, ποιητικωτέροις οὕτως ὀνόμασιν αὐτὰ λέγων.
δῆλον δὲ ὅτι τὴν εἰς ἄλληλα μεταβολὴν τῶν τεττάρων στοιχείων οὗτος θεασάμενος οὐκ ἠξίωσεν ἕν τι
τούτων ὑποκείμενον ποιῆσαι, ἀλλά τι ἄλλο παρὰ ταῦτα· οὗτος δὲ οὐκ ἀλλοιουμένου τοῦ στοιχείου τὴν
γένεσιν ποιεῖ, ἀλλ' ἀποκρινομένων τῶν ἐναντίων διὰ τῆς αἰδίου κινήσεως."
Punctuation does not exist in Ancient Greek and quotes usually blend with surrounding text. Consequently, deciding
where they start and where they end is often difficult. However, it is generally accepted that this quote is not
Simplicius' own interpretation, but Anaximander's writing, in "somewhat poetic terms" as it is mentioned by
Simplicius,
[20]
[21]
[22]
[23]
[24]
Aristotle, Metaphysics, I, 3, 983 b 8-11; Physics, III, 5, 204 b 33-34
EuripidesSupplices, v. 532
Friedrich Nietzsche, Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks (1873) § 4.
Pseudo-Plutarch, Doctrines of the philosophers, i. 7
Aristotle, On the Heavens, ii, 13
[25] "A column of stone", Aetius reports in De Fide (III, 7, 1), or "similar to a pillar-shaped stone", pseudo-Plutarch (III, 10).
[26] In Refutation, Hippolytus reports that the circle of the Sun is twenty-seven times bigger than the Moon.
[27] Aetius, De Fide (II, 15, 6)
47
Anaximander
[28] Most of Anaximander's model of the Universe comes from pseudo-Plutarch (II, 20-28):
"[The Sun] is a circle twenty-eight times as big as the Earth, with the outline similar to that of a fire-filled
chariot wheel, on which appears a mouth in certain places and through which it exposes its fire, as through the
hole on a flute. [...] the Sun is equal to the Earth, but the circle on which it breathes and on which it's born is
twenty-seven times as big as the whole earth. [...] [The eclipse] is when the mouth from which comes the fire
heat is closed. [...] [The Moon] is a circle nineteen times as big as the whole earth, all filled with fire, like that
of the Sun".
[29]
[30]
[31]
[32]
Simplicius, Commentary on Aristotle's Physics, 1121, 5-9
Hippolytus, Refutation I, 6
Notably pseudo-Plutarch (III, 2) and Aetius, (I, 3, 3; I, 7, 12; II, 1, 3; II, 1, 8).
On the Nature of the Gods (I, 10, 25):
"Anaximandri autem opinio est nativos esse deos longis intervallis orientis occidentisque, eosque
innumerabiles esse mundos."
"For Anaximander, gods were born, but the time is long between their birth and their death; and the worlds are
countless."
[33] Pseudo-Plutarch (III, 3):
"Anaximander claims that all this is done by the wind, for when it happens to be enclosed in a thick cloud,
then by its subtlety and lightness, the rupture produces the sound; and the scattering, because of the darkness
of the cloud, creates the light."
[34] According to Seneca, Naturales quaestiones (II, 18).
[35] Pseudo-Plutarch (III, 16)
[36] It is then very likely that by observing the moon and the tides, Anaximander thought the latter were the cause, and not the effect of the
satellite's movement.
[37] Pseudo-Plutarch (V, 19)
[38] Censorinus, De Die Natali, IV, 7
[39] Plutarch also mentions Anaximander's theory that humans were born inside fish, feeding like sharks, and that when they could defend
themselves, they were thrown ashore to live on dry land.
[40] According to John Mansley Robinson, An Introduction to Early Greek Philosophy, Houghton and Mifflin, 1968.
[41] As established by Marcel Conche, Anaximandre. Fragments et témoignages, introduction (p. 43-47).
[42] These accomplishments are often attributed to him, notably by Diogenes Laertius (II, 1) and by the Roman historian Eusebius of Caesarea,
Preparation for the Gospel (X, 14, 11).
[43] Da Divinatione (in Latin) (http:/ / www. thelatinlibrary. com/ cicero/ divinatione1. shtml)
[44] Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy and Its Connection with Political and Social Circumstances from the Earliest Times to
the Present Day (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1946).
[45] Friedrich Nietzsche, Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks (Washington, D.C.: Regnery Gateway, 1962).
[46] Martin Heidegger, Off the Beaten Track (Cambridge & New York: Cambridge University Press, 2002).
[47] Cf., Jacques Derrida, Margins of Philosophy (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1982), pp. 66–7; Derrida, "Geschlecht II: Heidegger's
Hand," in John Sallis (ed.), Deconstruction and Philosophy (Chicago & London: University of Chicago Press, 1987), pp. 181–2; Derrida,
Given Time: I. Counterfeit Money (Chicago & London: University of Chicago Press, 1992), p. 159, n. 28.
[48] Themistius and Simplicius also mention some work "on nature". The list could refer to book titles or simply their topics. Again, no one can
tell because there is no punctuation sign in Ancient Greek. Furthermore, this list is incomplete since the Suda ends it with ἄλλα τινά, thus
implying "other works".
48
Anaximander
References
Primary sources
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Aelian: Various History (III, 17)
Aëtius: De Fide (I-III; V)
Agathemerus: A Sketch of Geography in Epitome (I, 1)
Aristotle: Meteorology (II, 3) Translated by E. W. Webster (http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/a/aristotle/
meteorology/)
Aristotle: On Generation and Corruption (II, 5) Translated by H. H. Joachim (http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.
au/a/aristotle/corruption/)
Aristotle: On the Heavens (II, 13) Translated by J. L. Stocks (http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/a/aristotle/
heavens/)
Aristotle: Physics (III, 5, 204 b 33-34)
Censorinus: De Die Natali (IV, 7) See original text at LacusCurtius (http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/L/
Roman/Texts/Censorinus/text*.html)
Cicero: On divination on Wikisource (I, 50, 112)
Cicero: On the Nature of the Gods (I, 10, 25)
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Anaximander, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
• Euripides: The Suppliants (532) Translated by E. P. Coleridge (http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/e/
euripides/suppliants/)
• Eusebius of Caesarea: Preparation for the Gospel (X, 14, 11) Translated by E.H. Gifford (http://www.tertullian.
org/fathers/index.htm#Praeparatio_Evangelica_(The_Preparation_of_the_Gospel))
• Herodotus: Histories (II, 109) See original text in Perseus project (http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/
ptext?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0125)
• Hippolytus: Refutation of All Heresies (I, 5) Translated by Roberts and Donaldson (http://www.ccel.org/
fathers2/ANF-05/anf05-06.htm#TopOfPage)
• Pliny the Elder: Natural History (II, 8) See original text in Perseus project (http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/
cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus:text:1999.02.0138:toc)
• Pseudo-Plutarch: The Doctrines of the Philosophers (I, 3; I, 7; II, 20-28; III, 2-16; V, 19)
• Seneca the Younger: Natural Questions (II, 18)
• Simplicius: Comments on Aristotle's Physics (24, 13-25; 1121, 5-9)
• Strabo: Geography (I, 1) Books 1‑7, 15‑17 translated by H. L. Jones (http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/
Roman/Texts/Strabo/home.html)
• Themistius: Oratio (36, 317)
• The Suda Search for Anaximander online (http://www.stoa.org/sol/)
Secondary sources
• Brumbaugh, Robert S. (1964). The Philosopher's of Greece. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell.
• Burnet, John (1920). Early Greek Philosophy (http://classicpersuasion.org/pw/burnet/index.htm) (3rd ed.).
London: Black.
• Conche, Marcel (1991) (in French). Anaximandre: Fragments et témoignages. Paris: Presses universitaires de
France. ISBN 2130437850. The default source; anything not otherwise attributed should be in Conche.
• Couprie, Dirk L.; Robert Hahn, Gerard Naddaf (2003). Anaximander in Context: New Studies in the Origins of
Greek Philosophy. Albany: State University of New York Press. ISBN 0791455386.
• Furley, David J.; Reginald E. Allen (1970). Studies in Presocratic Philosophy, vol. 1. London: Routledge.
OCLC 79496039.
49
Anaximander
• Guthrie, W.K.C. (1962). The Earlier Presocratics and the Pythagoreans. A History of Greek Philosophy. 1.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Heidegger, Martin (2002). Off the Beaten Track. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521801141.
• Kahn, Charles H. (1960). Anaximander and the Origins of Greek Cosmology. New York: Columbia University
Press.
• Kirk, Geoffrey S.; Raven, John E. (1983). The Presocratic Philosophers (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
• Nietzsche, Friedrich (1962). Philosophy in the tragic age of the Greeks. Chicago: Regnery. ISBN 0895269449.
• Robinson, John Mansley (1968). An Introduction to Early Greek Philosophy. Houghton and Mifflin.
ISBN 0395053161.
• Ross, Stephen David (1993). Injustice and Restitution: The Ordinance of Time. Albany: State University of New
York Press. ISBN 0791416704.
• Russell, Bertrand (1945) [1946]. History of Western philosophy: and its connection with political and social
circumstances from the earliest times to the present day. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0671201581.
• Sandywell, Barry (1996). Presocratic Reflexivity: The Construction of Philosophical Discourse, c. 600-450 BC.
3. London: Routledge.
• Seligman, Paul (1962). The "Apeiron" of Anaximander. London: Athlone Press.
• Vernant, Jean-Pierre (1982). The Origins of Greek Thought. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 0801492939.
• Wheelwright, Philip, ed (1966). The Presocratics. New York: Macmillan.
• Wright, M.R. (1995). Cosmology in Antiquity. London: Routledge.
•
External links
•
•
•
•
Philoctete - Anaximandre: Fragments (http://philoctetes.free.fr/unianaximandre.htm) (French) (English)
The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Anaximander (http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/a/anaximan.htm)
Extensive bibliography by Dirk Couprie (http://www.dirkcouprie.nl/Anaximander-bibliography.htm)
Weisstein, Eric W., Anaximander of Miletus (610-ca. 546 BC) (http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/biography/
Anaximander.html) from ScienceWorld.
50
Anaximenes (Greek: Άναξιμένης) of Miletus (b. 585 BCE, d. 528
BCE) was an Archaic Greek Pre-Socratic philosopher also known as
the father of philosophy active in the latter half of the 6th century
BC.[1] [2] One of the three Milesian philosophers, he is identified as a
younger friend or student of Anaximander.[3] [4] Anaximenes, like
others in his school of thought, practiced material monism.[5] [4] This
tendency to identify one specific underlying reality made up of a
material thing constitutes the bulk of the contributions for which
Anaximenes is most famed.
Anaximenes and the Arche
While his predecessors Thales and Anaximander proposed that the
arche, the underlying material of the world, were water and the
ambiguous substance apeiron, respectively, Anaximenes asserted that
air was this most basic stuff of which all other things are made.[1] To
him air was not just one of the four basic elements but was the substance from which all things came and to which
they would all eventually return. While the choice of air may seem arbitrary, he based his conclusion on naturally
observable phenomena in the process of rarefaction and condensation.[6] When air condenses it becomes visible, as
mist and then rain and other forms of precipitation, and as the condensed air cools Anixemenes supposed that it went
on to form earth and ultimately stones. In contrast, water evaporates into air which ignites and produces flame when
further rarefied.[7] While other philosophers also recognized such transitions in states of matter, Anaximenes was the
first to associate the quality pairs hot/dry and cold/wet with the density of a single material and add a quantitative
dimension to the Milesian monistic system.[7] [8]
The Origin of the Cosmos
Having concluded that everything in the world is composed of air, Anaximenes then used his theory to devise a
scheme explaining the origins and nature of the earth as well as of the surrounding celestial bodies. Air felted to
create the flat disk of the earth, which he said was table-like and behaved like a leaf floating on air. In keeping with
the prevailing view of celestial bodies as balls of fire in the sky, Anaximenes proposed that the earth let out an
exhalation of air that rarefied, ignited and became the stars. While the sun is similarly described as being aflame, it is
not composed of rarefied air like the stars but rather of earth like the moon; its burning comes not from its
composition but rather from its rapid motion.[9] The moon and sun are likewise considered to be flat and floating on
streams of air, and when the sun sets it does not pass under the earth but is merely obscured by higher parts of the
earth as it circles around and becomes more distant; the motion of the sun and the other celestial bodies around the
earth is likened by Anaximenes to the way that a cap may be turned around the head.[2] [10]
Other Phenomena
Anaximenes used his observations and reasoning to provide causes for other natural phenomena on the earth as well.
Earthquakes he asserted were the result either of lack of moisture, which causes the earth to break apart because of
how parched it is, or of overabundance thereof, which also causes cracks in the earth because of the excess of water.
In either case the earth becomes weakened by its cracks and hills collapse, causing earthquakes. Lightning is also
caused by a violent separation, this time of clouds by winds to create a bright, fire-like flash. Rainbows are formed
51
when densely compressed air is touched by the rays of the sun.[11] These examples further show how Anaximenes
like the other Milesians looked for the broader picture in nature, seeking unifying causes for diversely occurring
events rather than treating each one on a case-by-case basis or attributing them to gods or a personified nature.[5]
References
[1] Lindberg, David C. “The Greeks and the Cosmos.” The Beginnings of Western Science. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007. 28.
[2] Graham, Daniel W. "Anaximenes". The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 29.10.2009 (http:/ / www. iep. utm. edu/ anaximen).
[3] Kirk, G.S., J.E. Raven, and M. Schofield. “Anaximenes of Miletus.” The Presocratic Philosophers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
1984. 143.
[4] Guthrie, W.K.C. “The Milesians: Anaximenes.” A History of Greek Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1962. 115.
[5] Lindberg, David C. “The Greeks and the Cosmos.” The Beginnings of Western Science. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007. 29.
[6] Guthrie, W.K.C. “The Milesians: Anaximenes.” A History of Greek Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1962. 116.
[7] Guthrie, W.K.C. “The Milesians: Anaximenes.” A History of Greek Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1962. 124-126.
1984. 146.
1984. 152-153.
[10] Fairbanks, Arthur. " Anaximenes (http:/ / people. cs. uchicago. edu/ ~simon/ TEACH/ 28000/ DavisUniversal. pdf)". The First Philosophers
of Greece. K. Paul, Trench, Trübner & co., ltd., 1898. 20.
[11] Fairbanks, Arthur. " Anaximenes (http:/ / people. cs. uchicago. edu/ ~simon/ TEACH/ 28000/ DavisUniversal. pdf)". The First Philosophers
of Greece. K. Paul, Trench, Trübner & co., ltd., 1898. 18;20-21.
Further reading
• Barnes, Jonathan (1982). The Presocratic Philosophers. London: Routledge.
• Burnet, John (1920). Early Greek Philosophy (http://classicpersuasion.org/pw/burnet/index.htm) (3rd ed.).
London: Black.
• Freeman, Kathleen (1978). Ancilla to the Pre-Socratic Philosophers. Harvard University Press.
ISBN 0674035003.
• Guthrie, W.K.C. (1962). The Earlier Presocratics and the Pythagoreans. A History of Greek Philosophy. 1.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Hurwit, Jeffrey M. (1985). The Art and Culture of Early Greece, 1100-480 BC. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University
Press.
• Kirk, G.S.; Raven, J.E. (1983). The Presocratic Philosophers (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Stokes, M. C. (1971). The One and Many in Presocratic Philosophy. Washington, DC: Center for Hellenic
Studies with Harvard University Press.
• Sweeney, Leo (1972). Infinity in the Presocratics: A Bibliographical and Philosophical Study. The Hague:
Martinus Nijhoff.
• Taran, L. (1970). "Anaximenes of Miletus". Dictionary of Scientific Biography. 1. New York: Charles Scribner's
Sons. pp. 151–152. ISBN 0684101149.
External links
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Anaximenes, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
52
53
Pythagoreanism
Pythagoreanism
Pythagoreanism is a term used for the esoteric and metaphysical beliefs
held by Pythagoras and his followers, the Pythagoreans, who were
considerably influenced by mathematics. Pythagoreanism greatly
influenced Platonism. Later revivals of Pythagorean doctrines led to what is
now called Neopythagoreanism.
Two schools
According to tradition, Pythagoreanism developed at some point into two
separate schools of thought, the mathēmatikoi Μαθηματικοι ("learners")
and the akousmatikoi Ακουσματικοι, ("listeners"). The mathēmatikoi were
supposed to have extended and developed the more mathematical and
scientific work begun by Pythagoras, while the akousmatikoi focused on
the more religious and ritualistic aspects of his teachings. The akousmatikoi
Bust of Pythagoras
claimed that the mathēmatikoi were not genuinely Pythagorean, but
followers of the "renegade" Pythagorean Hippasus. The mathēmatikoi, on
the other hand, allowed that the akousmatikoi were Pythagorean, but felt that their own group was more
representative of Pythagoras.[1]
Natural philosophy
Pythagorean thought was dominated
by mathematics, but it was also
profoundly mystical. In the area of
cosmology there is less agreement
about what Pythagoras himself actually
taught, but most scholars believe that
the Pythagorean idea of the
transmigration of the soul is too central
to have been added by a later follower
of Pythagoras. The Pythagorean
conception of substance, on the other
hand, is of unknown origin, partly
because various accounts of his
Pythagoreans celebrate sunrise by Fyodor Bronnikov
teachings
are
conflicting.
The
Pythagorean account actually begins
with Anaximander's teaching that the ultimate substance of things is "the boundless," or what Anaximander called
the "apeiron." The Pythagorean account holds that it is only through the notion of the "limit" that the "boundless"
takes form.
Pythagoreanism
Pythagoras wrote nothing down, and relying on the writings of Parmenides, Empedocles, Philolaus and Plato (people
either considered Pythagoreans, or whose works are thought deeply indebted to Pythagoreanism) results in a very
diverse picture in which it is difficult to ascertain what the common unifying Pythagorean themes were. Relying on
Philolaus, whom most scholars agree is highly representative of the Pythagorean school, one has a very intricate
picture. Aristotle explains how the Pythagoreans (by which he meant the circle around Philolaus) developed
Anaximander's ideas about the apeiron and the peiron, the unlimited and limited, by writing that:
... for they [the Pythagoreans] plainly say that when the one had been constructed, whether out of planes or of
surface or of seed or of elements which they cannot express, immediately the nearest part of the unlimited
began to be drawn in and limited by the limit.
Continuing with the Pythagoreans:
The Pythagoreans, too, held that void exists, and that it enters the heaven from the unlimited breath – it, so to
speak, breathes in void. The void distinguishes the natures of things, since it is the thing that separates and
distinguishes the successive terms in a series. This happens in the first case of numbers; for the void
distinguishes their nature.
When the apeiron is inhaled by the peiron it causes separation, which also apparently means that it "separates and
distinguishes the successive terms in a series." Instead of an undifferentiated whole we have a living whole of
inter-connected parts separated by "void" between them. This inhalation of the apeiron is also what makes the world
mathematical, not just possible to describe using maths, but truly mathematical since it shows numbers and reality to
be upheld by the same principle. Both the continuum of numbers (that is yet a series of successive terms, separated
by void) and the field of reality, the cosmos — both are a play of emptiness and form, apeiron and peiron. What
really sets this apart from Anaximander's original ideas is that this play of apeiron and peiron must take place
according to harmonia (harmony), about which Stobaeus commentated:
About nature and harmony this is the position. The being of the objects, being eternal, and nature itself admit
of divine, not human, knowledge – except that it was not possible for any of the things that exist and are
known by us to have come into being, without there existing the being of those things from which the universe
was composed, the limited and the unlimited. And since these principles existed being neither alike nor of the
same kind, it would have been impossible for them to be ordered into a universe if harmony had not
supervened – in whatever manner this came into being. Things that were alike and of the same kind had no
need of harmony, but those that were unlike and not of the same kind and of unequal order – it was necessary
for such things to have been locked together by harmony, if they are to be held together in an ordered universe.
A musical scale presupposes an unlimited continuum of pitches, which must be limited in some way in order for a
scale to arise. The crucial point is that not just any set of limiters will do. One may not simply choose pitches at
random along the continuum and produce a scale that will be musically pleasing. The diatonic scale, also known as
"Pythagorean," is such that the ratio of the highest to the lowest pitch is 2:1, which produces the interval of an
octave. That octave is in turn divided into a fifth and a fourth, which have the ratios of 3:2 and 4:3 respectively and
which, when added, make an octave. If we go up a fifth from the lowest note in the octave and then up a fourth from
there, we will reach the upper note of the octave. Finally the fifth can be divided into three whole tones, each
corresponding to the ratio of 9:8 and a remainder with a ratio of 256:243 and the fourth into two whole tones with
the same remainder. This is a good example of a concrete applied use of Philolaus’ reasoning. In Philolaus' terms the
fitting together of limiters and unlimiteds involves their combination in accordance with ratios of numbers
(harmony). Similarly the cosmos and the individual things in the cosmos do not arise by a chance combination of
limiters and unlimiteds; the limiters and unlimiteds must be fitted together in a "pleasing" (harmonic) way in
accordance with number for an order to arise.
This teaching was recorded by Philolaus' pupil Archytas in a lost work entitled On Harmonics or On Mathematics,
and this is the influence that can be traced in Plato. Plato's pupil Aristotle made a distinction in his Metaphysics
between Pythagoreans and "so-called" Pythagoreans. He also recorded the Table of Opposites, and commented that
54
Pythagoreanism
it might be due to Alcmaeon of the medical school at Croton, who defined health as a harmony of the elements in the
body.
After attacks on the Pythagorean meeting-places at Croton, the movement dispersed, but regrouped in Tarentum,
also in Southern Italy. A collection of Pythagorean writings on ethics collected by Taylor show a creative response to
the troubles.
The legacy of Pythagoras, Socrates and Plato was claimed by the wisdom tradition of the Hellenized Jews of
Alexandria, on the ground that their teachings derived from those of Moses. Through Philo of Alexandria this
tradition passed into the Medieval culture, with the idea that groups of things of the same number are related or in
sympathy. This idea evidently influenced Hegel in his concept of internal relations.
The ancient Pythagorean pentagram was drawn with two points up and represented the doctrine of Pentemychos.
Pentemychos means "five recesses" or "five chambers," also known as the pentagonas — the five-angle, and was the
title of a work written by Pythagoras' teacher and friend Pherecydes of Syros.[2]
Cosmology
The Pythagoreans are known for their theory of the transmigration of
souls, and also for their theory that numbers constitute the true nature
of things. They performed purification rites and followed and
developed various rules of living which they believed would enable
their souls to achieve a higher rank among the gods. Much of their
mysticism concerning the soul seems inseparable from the Orphic
tradition. The Orphics included various purifactory rites and practices
as well as incubatory rites of descent into the underworld. Apart from
being linked with this, Pythagoras is also closely linked with
Pherecydes of Syros, the man ancient commentators tend to credit as
the first Greek to teach a transmigration of souls. Ancient
commentators agree that Pherekydes was Pythagoras's most "intimate"
The Monad was a symbol referred by the Greek
teacher. Pherecydes expounded his teaching on the soul in terms of a
philosophers as "The First," "The Seed," "The
Essence," "The Builder," and "The Foundation"
pentemychos ("five-nooks," or "five hidden cavities") — the most
likely origin of the Pythagorean use of the pentagram, used by them as
a symbol of recognition among members and as a symbol of inner health (eugieia Eudaimonia).
"Wheel of Birth" and scientific contemplation
The Pythagoreans believed that a release from the "wheel of birth" was possible. They followed the Orphic traditions
and practices to purify the soul but at the same time they suggested a deeper idea of what such a purification might
be. Aristoxenus said that music was used to purify the soul just like medicine was used to purge the body. But in
addition to this, Pythagoreans distinguished three kinds of lives: Theoretic, Practical and Apolautic. Pythagoras is
said to have used the example of Olympic games to distinguish between these three kind of lives. Pythagoras
suggests that the lowest class of people who come to the games are the people who come to buy or sell. The next
higher class comprises people who come to participate in the games. And the highest class contains people who
simply come to look on. Thus Pythagoras suggests that the highest purification of a life is in pure contemplation. It is
the philosopher who contemplates about science and mathematics who is released from the "cycle of birth." The pure
mathematician's life is, according to Pythagoras, the life at the highest plane of existence.[3] [4]
Thus the root of mathematics and scientific pursuits in Pythagoreanism is also based on a spiritual desire to free
oneself from the cycle of birth and death. It is this contemplation about the world that forms the greatest virtue in
Pythagorean philosophy.
55
Pythagoreanism
Vegetarianism
The Pythagoreans were well-known in antiquity for their vegetarianism, which they practised for religious, ethical
and ascetic reasons, in particular the idea of metempsychosis - the transmigration of souls into the bodies of other
animals.[5] "Pythagorean diet" was a common name for the abstention from eating meat and fish, until the coining of
"vegetarian" in the nineteenth century.[6]
The Pythagorean code further restricted the diet of its followers, prohibiting the consumption or even touching of
any sort of bean. It is probable that this is due to their belief in the soul, and the fact that beans obviously showed the
potential for life. Some, for example Cicero,[7] say perhaps the flatulence beans cause, perhaps as protection from
potential favism, perhaps because they resemble the genitalia,[8] but most likely for magico-religious reasons,[9] such
as the belief that beans and human beings were created from the same material.[10] Most stories of Pythagoras'
murder revolve around his aversion to beans. According to legend, enemies of the Pythagoreans set fire to
Pythagoras' house, sending the elderly man running toward a bean field, where he halted, declaring that he would
rather die than enter the field - whereupon his pursuers slit his throat.[11]
Views on women
Women were given equal opportunity to study as Pythagoreans, and learned practical domestic skills in addition to
philosophy.[12] Women were held to be different from men, but sometimes in good ways.[12] The priestess,
philosopher and mathematician Themistoclea is regarded as Pythagoras' teacher; Theano, Damo and Melissa as
female disciples. Pythagoras is also said to have preached that men and women ought not to have sex during the
summer, holding that winter was the appropriate time.[13]
Neopythagoreanism
Neopythagoreanism was a revival in the 2nd century BC—2nd century AD period of various ideas traditionally
associated with the followers of Pythagoras, the Pythagoreans. Notable Neopythagoreans include first century
Apollonius of Tyana and Moderatus of Gades. Middle and Neo-Platonists such as Numenius and Plotinus also
showed some Neopythagorean influence.
They emphasized the distinction between the soul and the body. God must be worshipped spiritually by prayer and
the will to be good. The soul must be freed from its material surroundings by an ascetic habit of life. Bodily
pleasures and all sensuous impulses must be abandoned as detrimental to the spiritual purity of the soul. God is the
principle of good; Matter the groundwork of Evil. The non-material universe was regarded as the sphere of mind or
spirit.[14]
In 1915, a subterranean basilica where 1st century Neo-Pythagoreans held their meetings was discovered near Porta
Maggiore on Via Praenestina, Rome. The groundplan shows a basilica with three naves and an apse similar to early
Christian basilicas that did not appear until much later, in the 4th century. The vaults are decorated with white
stuccoes symbolizing Neopythagorean beliefs but its exact meaning remains a subject of debate.[15]
Influences
• The Pythagorean idea that whole numbers and harmonic (euphonic) sounds are intimately connected in music,
must have been well known to lute-player and maker Vincenzo Galilei, father of Galileo Galilei. While possibly
following Pythagorean modes of thinking, Vincenzo is known to have discovered a new mathematical
relationship between string tension and pitch, thus suggesting a generalization of the idea that music and musical
instruments can be mathematically quantified and described. This may have paved the way to his son's crucial
insight that all physical phenomena may be described quantitatively in mathematical language (as physical
"laws"), thus beginning and defining the era of modern physics.
56
Pythagoreanism
• Pythagoreanism has had a clear and obvious influence on the texts found in the hermetica corpus and thus flows
over into hermeticism, gnosticism and alchemy.
• The Pythagorean cosmology also inspired the Arabic gnostic Monoimus to combine this system with monism and
other things to form his own cosmology.
• The pentagram (five-pointed star) was an important religious symbol used by the Pythagoreans, which is often
seen as being related to the elements theorized by Empedocles to comprise all matter.
• The Pythagorean school doubtless had a monumental impact on the development of numerology and number
mysticism, an influence that still resonates today. For example, it is from the Pythagoreans that the number 3
acquires its modern reputation as the noblest of all digits.[16]
• The Pythagoreans were advised to "speak the truth in all situations," which Pythagoras said he learned from the
Magi of Babylon.
References
[1] On the two schools and these differences, see Charles Kahn, p. 15, Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans, Hackett 2001.
[2] This is actually a lost book whose contents are preserved in Damascius, de principiis, quoted in Kirk and Raven, The Pre-Socratic
Philosophers, Cambridge Univ. Press, 1956, page 55.
[3] Burnet J. (1892) Early Greek Philosophy A. & C. Black, London, OCLC 4365382 (http:/ / worldcat. org/ oclc/ 4365382), and subsequent
editions, 2003 edition published by Kessinger, Whitefish, Montana, ISBN 0-7661-2826-1
[4] Russell, Bertrand, History of Western Philosophy
[5] "Vegetarianism" (http:/ / www. oup. com/ us/ brochure/ 0195154371/ samples/ vegetarianism. pdf). The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and
Drink. OUP. 2004.
[6] See for instance the popular treatise by Antonio Cocchi, Del vitto pitagorico per uso della medicina, Firenze 1743, which initiated a debate on
the "Pythagorean diet".
[7] Cicero, On Divination, I xxx 62, quoted in (http:/ / www. philosophicalmisadventures. com/ ?p=15)
[8] Seife, Charles. Zero p 26
[9] Gabrielle Hatfield, review of Frederick J. Simoons, Plants of Life, Plants of Death, University of Wisconsin Press, 1999. ISBN
0-299-15904-3. In Folklore 111:317-318 (2000).
[10] Riedweg, Christoph, Pythagoras: his life, teaching, and influence. Ithaca : Cornell University Press, pp. 39, 70. (2005), ISBN
0-8014-4240-0
[11] Seife, p 38
[12] Glenn, Cheryl, Rhetoric Retold: Regendering the Tradition from Antiquity Through the Renaissance. Southern Illinois University, 1997.
30-31.
[13] Seife, Charles. Zero p. 27
[14] This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). "Neopythagoreanism" (http:/ / www.
1911encyclopedia. org/ Neopythagoreanism). Encyclopædia Britannica (Eleventh ed.). Cambridge University Press. .
[15] Ball Platner, Samuel. "Basilicae" (http:/ / penelope. uchicago. edu/ Thayer/ E/ Gazetteer/ Places/ Europe/ Italy/ Lazio/ Roma/ Rome/ _Texts/
PLATOP*/ basilicae. html). penelope.uchicago.edu. .
[16] Cohen, Mark, Readings In Ancient Greek Philosophy: From Thales To Aristotle. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publishing Company, 2005.
15-20.
57
Pythagoreanism
Further reading
• O'Meara, Dominic J. Pythagoras Revived: Mathematics and Philosophy in Late Antiquity , Clarendon Press,
Oxford, 1989. ISBN 0-19-823913-0
• Riedweg, Christoph Pythagoras : his life, teaching, and influence ; translated by Steven Rendall in collaboration
with Christoph Riedweg and Andreas Schatzmann, Ithaca : Cornell University Press, (2005), ISBN
0-8014-4240-0
External links
• Pythagoreanism Web Article (http://cyberspacei.com/jesusi/inlight/philosophy/western/Pythagoreanism.
htm)
• Pythagoreanism Discussion Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pythagorean-L)
• Pythagoreanism Web Site (http://users.ucom.net/~vegan)
• Pythagoreanism Web Site (http://www.fourfoldpath.org/pita.htm)
• Pythagoreanism (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pythagoreanism) entry by Carl Huffman in the Stanford
Encyclopedia of Philosophy
58
Pythagoras
59
Pythagoras
Pythagoras (Πυθαγόρας)
Bust of Pythagoras of Samos in the Capitoline Museums, Rome
Full name
Pythagoras (Πυθαγόρας)
Born
c. 570 BCSamos Island
Died
c. 495 BC (aged around 75)Metapontum
Era
Ancient philosophy
Region
Western philosophy
School
Pythagoreanism
Main interests Metaphysics, Music, Mathematics, Ethics, Politics
Notable ideas
Musica universalis, Golden ratio, Pythagorean tuning, Pythagorean theorem
Pythagoras of Samos (Ancient Greek: Ὁ Πυθαγόρας ὁ Σάμιος Ho Pythagóras ho Sámios "Pythagoras the
Samian", or simply Ὁ Πυθαγόρας; c. 570–c. 495 BC[1] ) was an Ionian Greek philosopher, mathematician, and
founder of the religious movement called Pythagoreanism. Most of the information about Pythagoras was written
down centuries after he lived, so that very little reliable information is known about him. He was born on the island
of Samos, and may have travelled widely in his youth, visiting Egypt and other places seeking knowledge. He had a
teacher named Themistoclea, who introduced him to the principles of ethics.[2] [3] Around 530 BC, he moved to
Croton, a Greek colony in southern Italy, and there set up a religious sect. His followers pursued the religious rites
and practices developed by Pythagoras, and studied his philosophical theories. The society took an active role in the
politics of Croton, but this eventually led to their downfall. The Pythagorean meeting-places were burned, and
Pythagoras was forced to flee the city. He is said to have ended his days in Metapontum.
Pythagoras made influential contributions to philosophy and religious teaching in the late 6th century BC. He is
often revered as a great mathematician, mystic and scientist, and he is best known for the Pythagorean theorem
which bears his name. However, because legend and obfuscation cloud his work even more than with the other
pre-Socratic philosophers, one can say little with confidence about his teachings, and some have questioned whether
he contributed much to mathematics and natural philosophy. Many of the accomplishments credited to Pythagoras
may actually have been accomplishments of his colleagues and successors. Whether or not his disciples believed that
everything was related to mathematics and that numbers were the ultimate reality is unknown. It was said that he was
the first man to call himself a philosopher, or lover of wisdom,[4] and Pythagorean ideas exercised a marked
influence on Plato, and through him, all of Western philosophy.
Pythagoras
Biographical sources
Accurate facts about the life of Pythagoras are so few, and most information concerning him is of so late a date, and
so untrustworthy, that it is impossible to provide more than a vague outline of his life. The lack of information by
contemporary writers, together with the secrecy which surrounded the Pythagorean brotherhood, meant that
invention took the place of facts. The stories which were created were eagerly sought by the Neoplatonist writers
who provide most of the details about Pythagoras, but who were uncritical concerning anything which related to the
gods or which was considered divine.[5] Thus many myths were created – such as that Apollo was his father; that
Pythagoras gleamed with a supernatural brightness; that he had a golden thigh; that Abaris came flying to him on a
golden arrow; that he was seen in different places at one and the same time.[6] With the exception of a few remarks
by Xenophanes, Heraclitus, Herodotus, Plato, Aristotle, and Isocrates, we are mainly dependent on Diogenes
Laërtius, Porphyry, and Iamblichus for the biographical details. Aristotle had written a separate work on the
Pythagoreans, which unfortunately has not survived.[7] His disciples Dicaearchus, Aristoxenus, and Heraclides
Ponticus had written on the same subject. These writers, late as they are, were among the best sources from whom
Porphyry and Iamblichus drew, besides the legendary accounts and their own inventions. Hence historians are often
reduced to considering the statements based on their inherent probability, but even then, if all the credible stories
concerning Pythagoras were supposed true, his range of activity would be impossibly vast.[8]
Life
Herodotus, Isocrates, and other early writers all agree that Pythagoras
was born on Samos, the Greek island in the eastern Aegean, and we
also learn that Pythagoras was the son of Mnesarchus.[9] His father was
a gem-engraver or a merchant. His name led him to be associated with
Pythian Apollo; Aristippus explained his name by saying, "He spoke
(agor-) the truth no less than did the Pythian (Pyth-)," and Iamblichus
tells the story that the Pythia prophesied that his pregnant mother
would give birth to a man supremely beautiful, wise, and beneficial to
humankind.[10] A late source gives his mother's name as Pythais.[11] As
to the date of his birth, Aristoxenus stated that Pythagoras left Samos
in the reign of Polycrates, at the age of 40, which would give a date of
birth around 570 BC.[12]
It was natural for the ancient biographers to inquire as to the origins of
Pythagoras' remarkable system. In the absence of reliable information,
however, a huge range of teachers were assigned to Pythagoras. Some
Bust of Pythagoras, Vatican
made his training almost entirely Greek, others exclusively Egyptian
and Oriental. We find mentioned as his instructors Creophylus,[13]
Hermodamas,[14] Bias,[13] Thales,[13] Anaximander,[15] and Pherecydes of Syros.[16] The Egyptians are said to have
taught him geometry, the Phoenicians arithmetic, the Chaldeans astronomy, the Magians the principles of religion
and practical maxims for the conduct of life.[17] Of the various claims regarding his Greek teachers, Pherecydes is
mentioned most often.
It was the standard belief in antiquity that Pythagoras had undertaken extensive travels, and had visited not only
Egypt, but Arabia, Phoenicia, Judaea, Babylon, and even India, for the purpose of collecting all available knowledge,
and especially to learn information concerning the secret or mystic cults of the gods.[18] The journey to Babylon is
possible, and not very unlikely. Plutarch asserted in his book On Isis and Osiris that during his visit to Egypt,
Pythagoras received instruction from the Egyptian priest Oenuphis of Heliopolis.[19] Other ancient writers asserted
his visit to Egypt.[20] Enough of Egypt was known to attract the curiosity of an inquiring Greek, and contact between
60
Pythagoras
61
Samos and other parts of Greece with Egypt is mentioned.[21]
It is not easy to say how much Pythagoras learned from the Egyptian priests, or indeed, whether he learned anything
at all from them. There was nothing in the symbolism which the Pythagoreans adopted which showed the distinct
traces of Egypt. The secret religious rites of the Pythagoreans exhibited nothing but what might have been adopted in
the spirit of Greek religion, by those who knew nothing of Egyptian mysteries. The philosophy and the institutions of
Pythagoras might easily have been developed by a Greek mind exposed to the ordinary influences of the age. Even
the ancient authorities note the similarities between the religious and ascetic peculiarities of Pythagoras with the
Orphic or Cretan mysteries,[22] or the Delphic oracle.[23]
There is little direct evidence as to the kind and amount of knowledge which Pythagoras acquired, or as to his
definite philosophical views. Everything of the kind mentioned by Plato and Aristotle is attributed not to Pythagoras,
but to the Pythagoreans. Heraclitus stated that he was a man of extensive learning;[24] and Xenophanes claimed that
he believed in the transmigration of souls.[25] Xenophanes mentions the story of his interceding on behalf of a dog
that was being beaten, professing to recognise in its cries the voice of a departed friend. Pythagoras is supposed to
have claimed that he had been Euphorbus, the son of Panthus, in the Trojan war, as well as various other characters,
a tradesman, a courtesan, etc.[26]
Many mathematical and scientific discoveries were attributed to Pythagoras, including his famous theorem,[27] as
well as discoveries in the field of music,[28] astronomy,[29] and medicine.[30] But it was the religious element which
made the profoundest impression upon his contemporaries. Thus the people of Croton were supposed to have
identified him with the Hyperborean Apollo,[31] and he was said to have practised divination and prophecy.[32] In the
visits to various places in Greece – Delos, Sparta, Phlius, Crete, etc. which are ascribed to him, he usually appears
either in his religious or priestly guise, or else as a lawgiver.[33]
After his travels, Pythagoras moved (around 530 BC) to Croton, in
Italy (Magna Graecia). Possibly the tyranny of Polycrates in Samos
made it difficult for him to achieve his schemes there. His later
admirers claimed that Pythagoras was so overburdened with public
duties in Samos, because of the high estimation in which he was held
by his fellow-citizens, that he moved to Croton.[34] On his arrival in
Croton, he quickly attained extensive influence, and many people
began to follow him. Later biographers tell fantastical stories of the
effects of his eloquent speech in leading the people of Croton to
abandon their luxurious and corrupt way of life and devote themselves
to the purer system which he came to introduce.[35]
Croton on the southern coast of Italy
His followers established a select brotherhood or club for the purpose of pursuing the religious and ascetic practices
developed by their master. The accounts agree that what was done and taught among the members was kept a
profound secret. The esoteric teachings may have concerned the secret religious doctrines and usages, which were
undoubtedly prominent in the Pythagorean system, and may have been connected with the worship of Apollo.[36]
Temperance of all kinds seems to have been strictly urged. There is disagreement among the biographers as to
whether Pythagoras forbade all animal food,[37] or only certain types.[38] The club was in practice at once "a
philosophical school, a religious brotherhood, and a political association."[39]
Pythagoras
62
Such an aristocratic and exclusive club could easily have made many
people in Croton jealous and hostile, and this seems to have led to its
destruction. The circumstances, however, are uncertain. Conflict seems
to have broken out between the towns of Sybaris and Croton. The
forces of Croton were headed by the Pythagorean Milo, and it is likely
that the members of the brotherhood took a prominent part. After the
decisive victory by Croton, a proposal for establishing a more
democratic constitution, was unsuccessfully resisted by the
Pythagoreans. Their enemies, headed by Cylon and Ninon, the former
of whom is said to have been irritated by his exclusion from the
brotherhood, roused the populace against them. An attack was made
upon them while assembled either in the house of Milo, or in some
Pythagoras, depicted on a 3rd-century coin
other meeting-place. The building was set on fire, and many of the
assembled members perished; only the younger and more active escaping.[40] Similar commotions ensued in the
other cities of Magna Graecia in which Pythagorean clubs had been formed.
As an active and organised brotherhood the Pythagorean order was everywhere suppressed, and did not again revive.
Still the Pythagoreans continued to exist as a sect, the members of which kept up among themselves their religious
observances and scientific pursuits, while individuals, as in the case of Archytas, acquired now and then great
political influence. Concerning the fate of Pythagoras himself, the accounts varied. Some say that he perished in the
temple with his disciples,[41] others that he fled first to Tarentum, and that, being driven from there, he escaped to
Metapontum, and there starved himself to death.[42] His tomb was shown at Metapontum in the time of Cicero.[43]
According to some accounts Pythagoras married Theano, a lady of Croton. Their children are variously stated to
have included a son, Telauges, and three daughters, Damo, Arignote, and Myia.
Writings
No texts by Pythagoras are known to have survived, although forgeries under his name — a few of which remain
extant — did circulate in antiquity. Critical ancient sources like Aristotle and Aristoxenus cast doubt on these
writings. Ancient Pythagoreans usually quoted their master's doctrines with the phrase autos ephe ("he himself said")
— emphasizing the essentially oral nature of his teaching.
Mathematics
The so-called Pythagoreans, who were the first to take up
mathematics, not only advanced this subject, but saturated with
it, they fancied that the principles of mathematics were the
principles of all things.
—Aristotle, Metaphysics 1–5 , cc. 350 BC
The Pythagorean theorem: The sum of the areas
of the two squares on the legs (a and b) equals the
area of the square on the hypotenuse (c).
Pythagoras
63
Pythagorean theorem
Since the fourth century AD, Pythagoras has commonly been given
credit for discovering the Pythagorean theorem, a theorem in geometry
that states that in a right-angled triangle the area of the square on the
hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the
areas of the squares of the other two sides—that is,
.
While the theorem that now bears his name was known and previously
utilized by the Babylonians and Indians, he, or his students, are often
said to have constructed the first proof. It must, however, be stressed
that the way in which the Babylonians handled Pythagorean numbers
implies that they knew that the principle was generally applicable, and
knew some kind of proof, which has not yet been found in the (still
A visual proof of the Pythagorean theorem
largely unpublished) cuneiform sources.[44] Because of the secretive
nature of his school and the custom of its students to attribute
everything to their teacher, there is no evidence that Pythagoras himself worked on or proved this theorem. For that
matter, there is no evidence that he worked on any mathematical or meta-mathematical problems. Some attribute it
as a carefully constructed myth by followers of Plato over two centuries after the death of Pythagoras, mainly to
bolster the case for Platonic meta-physics, which resonate well with the ideas they attributed to Pythagoras. This
attribution has stuck down the centuries up to modern times.[45] The earliest known mention of Pythagoras's name in
connection with the theorem occurred five centuries after his death, in the writings of Cicero and Plutarch.
Musical theories and investigations
According to legend, the way Pythagoras discovered that musical notes
could be translated into mathematical equations was when one day he
passed blacksmiths at work, and thought that the sounds emanating
from their anvils being hit were beautiful and harmonious and decided
that whatever scientific law caused this to happen must be
mathematical and could be applied to music. He went to the
blacksmiths to learn how this had happened by looking at their tools,
he discovered that it was because the hammers were "simple ratios of
each other, one was half the size of the first, another was 2/3 the size,
and so on."
This legend has since proven to be false by virtue of the fact that these
ratios are only relevant to string length (such as the string of a
monochord), and not to hammer weight.[46] [47] However, it may be
that Pythagoras was indeed responsible for discovering these properties
of string length.
Medieval woodcut showing Pythagoras with bells
Pythagoreans elaborated on a theory of numbers, the exact meaning of
and other instruments in Pythagorean tuning
which is still debated among scholars. Another belief attributed to
Pythagoras was that of the "harmony of the spheres". Thus the planets
and stars moved according to mathematical equations, which corresponded to musical notes and thus produced a
symphony.[48]
Pythagoras
64
Tetractys
Pythagoras was also credited with devising the tetractys, the triangular figure of four rows, which add up to the
perfect number, ten. As a mystical symbol, it was very important to the worship of the Pythagoreans, who would
swear oaths by it:
And the inventions were so admirable, and so divinised by those who understood them, that the members used
them as forms of oath: "By him who handed to our generation the tetractys, source of the roots of ever-flowing
nature."
—Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth., 29
Religion and science
Pythagoras’ religious and scientific views were, in his opinion, inseparably interconnected. Religiously, Pythagoras
was a believer of metempsychosis. He believed in transmigration, or the reincarnation of the soul again and again
into the bodies of humans, animals, or vegetables until it became immortal. His ideas of reincarnation were
influenced by ancient Greek religion. Heraclides Ponticus reports the story that Pythagoras claimed that he had lived
four lives that he could remember in detail,[49] and, according to Xenophanes, Pythagoras heard the cry of his dead
friend in the bark of a dog.[50]
Lore
Pythagoras became the subject of elaborate legends surrounding his historic persona. Aristotle described Pythagoras
as a wonder-worker and somewhat of a supernatural figure, attributing to him such aspects as a golden thigh, which
was a sign of divinity. According to Muslim tradition, Pythagoras was said to have been initiated by Hermes
(Egyptian Thoth).[51] According to Aristotle and others' accounts, some ancients believed that he had the ability to
travel through space and time, and to communicate with animals and plants.[52] An extract from Brewer's Dictionary
of Phrase and Fable's entry entitled "Golden Thigh":
Pythagoras is said to have had a golden thigh, which he showed to Abaris, the Hyperborean priest, and
exhibited in the Olympic games.[53]
Another legend describes his writing on the moon:
Pythagoras asserted he could write on the moon. His plan of operation was to write on a looking-glass
in blood, and place it opposite the moon, when the inscription would appear photographed or reflected
on the moon's disc.[54]
Pythagoras
65
Pythagoreans
Both Plato and Isocrates affirm that, above all else, Pythagoras was
famous for leaving behind him a way of life.[55] Both Iamblichus and
Porphyry give detailed accounts of the organisation of the school,
although the primary interest of both writers is not historical accuracy,
but rather to present Pythagoras as a divine figure, sent by the gods to
benefit humankind.[56]
Pythagoras set up an organization which was in some ways a school, in
some ways a brotherhood (and here it should be noted that sources
indicate that as well as men there were many women among the
adherents of Pythagoras),[57] and in some ways a monastery. It was
based upon the religious teachings of Pythagoras and was very
secretive. The adherents were bound by a vow to Pythagoras and each
other, for the purpose of pursuing the religious and ascetic
observances, and of studying his religious and philosophical theories.
The claim that they put all their property into a common stock is
perhaps only a later inference from certain Pythagorean maxims and
practices.[58]
Pythagoras, the man in the center with the book,
teaching music, in The School of Athens by
Raphael
As to the internal arrangements of the sect, we are informed that what was done and taught among the members was
kept a profound secret towards all. Porphyry stated that this silence was "of no ordinary kind." Candidates had to
pass through a period of probation, in which their powers of maintaining silence (echemythia) were especially tested,
as well as their general temper, disposition, and mental capacity.[59] There were also gradations among the members
themselves. It was an old Pythagorean maxim, that every thing was not to be told to every body.[60] Thus the
Pythagoreans were divided into an inner circle called the mathematikoi ("learners") and an outer circle called the
akousmatikoi ("listeners").[61] Iamblichus describes them in terms of esoterikoi and exoterikoi (or alternatively
Pythagoreioi and Pythagoristai),[62] according to the degree of intimacy which they enjoyed with Pythagoras.
Porphyry wrote "the mathematikoi learned the more detailed and exactly elaborated version of this knowledge, the
akousmatikoi (were) those who had heard only the summary headings of his (Pythagoras's) writings, without the
more exact exposition."
There were ascetic practices (many of which had, perhaps, a symbolic meaning) in the way of life of the sect.[63]
Some represent Pythagoras as forbidding all animal food. This may have been due to the doctrine of
metempsychosis.[64] Other authorities contradict the statement. According to Aristoxenus,[65] he allowed the use of
all kinds of animal food except the flesh of oxen used for ploughing, and rams.[66] There is a similar discrepancy as
to the prohibition of fish and beans.[67] But temperance of all kinds seems to have been urged. It is also stated that
they had common meals, resembling the Spartan system, at which they met in companies of ten.[68]
Considerable importance seems to have been attached to music and gymnastics in the daily exercises of the disciples.
Their whole discipline is represented as encouraging a lofty serenity and self-possession, of which, there were
various anecdotes in antiquity.[69] Iamblichus (apparently on the authority of Aristoxenus)[70] gives a long
description of the daily routine of the members, which suggests many similarities with Sparta. The members of the
sect showed a devoted attachment to each other, to the exclusion of those who did not belong to their ranks.[71] There
were even stories of secret symbols, by which members of the sect could recognise each other, even if they had never
met before.[72]
Pythagoras
66
Influence
Influence on Plato
Pythagoras, or in a broader sense, the Pythagoreans, allegedly
exercised an important influence on the work of Plato. According to R.
M. Hare, this influence consists of three points: (1) The platonic
Republic might be related to the idea of "a tightly organized
community of like-minded thinkers", like the one established by
Pythagoras in Croton. (2) There is evidence that Plato possibly took
from Pythagoras the idea that mathematics and, generally speaking,
abstract thinking is a secure basis for philosophical thinking as well as
"for substantial theses in science and morals". (3) Plato and Pythagoras
shared a "mystical approach to the soul and its place in the material
world". It is probable that both were influenced by Orphism.[73]
Pythagoras, depicted as a medieval scholar in the
Aristotle claimed that the philosophy of Plato closely followed the
Nuremberg Chronicle
teachings of the Pythagoreans,[74] and Cicero repeats this claim:
Platonem ferunt didicisse Pythagorea omnia ("They say Plato learned all things Pythagorean").[75] Bertrand Russell,
in his A History of Western Philosophy, contended that the influence of Pythagoras on Plato and others was so great
that he should be considered the most influential of all Western philosophers.
Influence on esoteric groups
Pythagoras started a secret society called the Pythagorean brotherhood devoted to the study of mathematics. This had
a great effect on future esoteric traditions, such as Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry, both of which were occult
groups dedicated to the study of mathematics and both of which claimed to have evolved out of the Pythagorean
brotherhood. The mystical and occult qualities of Pythagorean mathematics are discussed in a chapter of Manly P.
Hall's The Secret Teachings of All Ages entitled "Pythagorean Mathematics".
Pythagorean theory was tremendously influential on later numerology, which was extremely popular throughout the
Middle East in the ancient world. The 8th-century Muslim alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan grounded his work in an
elaborate numerology greatly influenced by Pythagorean theory. Today, Pythagoras is revered as a prophet by the
Ahl al-Tawhid or Druze faith along with his fellow Greek, Plato.
References
[1] "The dates of his life cannot be fixed exactly, but assuming the approximate correctness of the statement of Aristoxenus (ap. Porph. V.P. 9)
that he left Samos to escape the tyranny of Polycrates at the age of forty, we may put his birth round about 570 BC, or a few years earlier. The
length of his life was variously estimated in antiquity, but it is agreed that he lived to a fairly ripe old age, and most probably he died at about
seventy-five or eighty." William Keith Chambers Guthrie, (1978), A history of Greek philosophy, Volume 1: The earlier Presocratics and the
Pythagoreans, page 173. Cambridge University Press
[2] Mary Ellen Waithe, Ancient women philosophers, 600 B.C.–500 A.D., p. 11 (http:/ / books. google. com. br/ books?id=x7ngECDpxmMC&
printsec=frontcover)
[3] Malone, John C. (30 June 2009). Psychology: Pythagoras to present (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=e6Qa6cMQj8AC& pg=PA22).
MIT Press. p. 22. ISBN 9780262012966. . Retrieved 25 October 2010.
[4] Cicero, Tusculan Disputations, 5.3.8–9 = Heraclides Ponticus fr. 88 Wehrli, Diogenes Laërtius 1.12, 8.8, Iamblichus VP 58. Burkert
attempted to discredit this ancient tradition, but it has been defended by C.J. De Vogel, Pythagoras and Early Pythagoreanism (1966), pp.
97–102, and C. Riedweg, Pythagoras: His Life, Teaching, And Influence (2005), p. 92.
[5] Iamblichus, Adhort. ad Philos. p. 324, ed. Kiessling.
[6] Comp. Herodian, iv. 94, etc.
[7] He alludes to it himself, Met. i. 5. p. 986. 12, ed. Bekker.
[8] This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology by William Smith (1870).
Pythagoras
[9] Herodotus, iv. 95, Isocrates, Busiris, 28–9; Later writers called him a Tyrrhenian or Phliasian, and gave Marmacus, or Demaratus, as the
name of his father, Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 1; Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 1, 2; Justin, xx. 4; Pausanias, ii. 13.
[10] Riedweg, Christoph (2005). Pythagoras: His Life, Teaching and Influence. Cornell University. pp. 5–6, 59, 73.
[11] Apollonius of Tyana ap. Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 2
[12] Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 9
[13] Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 9
[14] Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 2, Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 2
[15] Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 9; Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 2
[16] Aristoxenus and others in Diogenes Laërtius, i. 118, 119; Cicero, de Div. i. 49
[18] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 2; Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 11, 12; Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 14, etc.
[19] Plutarch, On Isis And Osiris (http:/ / penelope. uchicago. edu/ Thayer/ E/ Roman/ Texts/ Plutarch/ Moralia/ Isis_and_Osiris*/ A. html), ch.
10.
[20] Antiphon. ap. Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 7; Isocrates, Busiris, 28–9; Cicero, de Finibus, v. 27; Strabo, xiv.
[21] Herodotus, ii. 134, 135, iii. 39.
[22] Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 25; Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 17; Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 3
[23] Ariston. ap. Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 8, 21; Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 41
[24] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 6, ix. 1, comp. Herodotus, i. 29, ii. 49, iv. 95
[25] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 36, comp. Aristotle, de Anima, i. 3; Herodotus, ii. 123.
[26] Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 26; Pausanias, ii. 17; Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 5; Horace, Od. i. 28,1. 10
[27] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 12 ; Plutarch, Non posse suav. vivi sec. Ep. p. 1094
[28] Porphyry, in Ptol. Harm. p. 213; Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 12
[29] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 14 ; Pliny, Hist. Nat. ii. 8
[30] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 12, 14, 32
[31] Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 20; Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 31, 140; Aelian, Varia Historia, ii. 26; Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 36.
[32] Cicero, de Divin. i. 3, 46; Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 29.
[33] Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 25; Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 17; Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 3, 13; Cicero, Tusc. Qu. v. 3
[34] Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 28; Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 9
[35] Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 18; Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 37, etc.
[36] Aelian, Varia Historia, ii. 26; Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 13; Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 8, 91, 141
[37] as Empedocles did afterwards, Aristotle, Rhet. i. 14. § 2; Sextus Empiricus, ix. 127. This was also one of the Orphic precepts, Aristoph. Ran.
1032
[38] Aristo ap. Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 20; comp. Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 7; Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 85, 108
[39] Thirlwall, Hist. of Greece, vol. ii. p. 148
[40] Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 255–259; Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 54–57; Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 39; comp. Plutarch, de Gen. Socr. p. 583
[41] Arnob. adv. Gentes, i. p. 23
[42] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 39, 40; Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 56; Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 249; Plutarch, de Stoic. Rep. 37
[43] Cicero, de Fin. v. 2
[44] There are about 100,000 unpublished cuneiform sources in the British Museum alone. Babylonian knowledge of proof of the Pythagorean
Theorem is discussed by J. Høyrup, 'The Pythagorean "Rule" and "Theorem" – Mirror of the Relation between Babylonian and Greek
Mathematics,' in: J. Renger (red.): Babylon. Focus mesopotamischer Geschichte, Wiege früher Gelehrsamkeit, Mythos in der Moderne (1999).
[45] From Christoph Riedweg , Pythagoras, His Life, Teaching and Influence, Cornell: Cornell University Press, 2005: "Had Pythagoras and his
teachings not been since the early Academy overwritten with Plato’s philosophy, and had this ‘palimpsest’ not in the course of the Roman
Empire achieved unchallenged authority among Platonists, it would be scarcely conceivable that scholars from the Middle Ages and
modernity down to the present would have found the Presocratic charismatic from Samos so fascinating. In fact, as a rule it was the image of
Pythagoras elaborated by Neopythagoreans and Neoplatonists that determined the idea of what was Pythagorean over the centuries."
[46] Weiss, Piero, and Richard Taruskin, eds. Music in the Western World: A History in Documents. 2nd ed. N.p.: Thomson Schirmer, 1984. 3.
Print.
[47] Christensen, Thomas, ed. The Cambridge history of Western music theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. 143. Print. (http:/
/ books. google. com/ books?id=ioa9uW2t7AQC& pg=PA143& lpg=PA143& dq=pythagoras+ hammers+ myth& source=bl&
ots=wtLXShWfVQ& sig=LlyPLjIoE0O25ieAj9-2h7J1Qq8& hl=en& ei=itsgTduSB8L7lwf6os3UCw& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result&
resnum=4& ved=0CCoQ6AEwAw#v=onepage& q=pythagoras hammers myth& f=false)
[48] Christoph Riedweg, Pythagoras: His Life, Teaching and Influence, Cornell: Cornell University Press, 2005 .
[49] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 3–4
[50] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 36
[51] See Antoine Faivre, in The Eternal Hermes (1995)
[52] Huffman, Carl. Pythagoras (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) (http:/ / plato. stanford. edu/ entries/ pythagoras/ #PytWon)
[53] Brewer, E. Cobham, Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (http:/ / www. infoplease. com/ dictionary/ brewers/ golden-thigh. html)
[54] Brewer, E. Cobham, Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (http:/ / www. infoplease. com/ dictionary/ brewers/ pythagoras. html)
67
Pythagoras
[55] Plato, Republic, 600a, Isocrates, Busiris, 28
[56] John Dillon and Jackson Hershbell, (1991), Iamblichus, On the Pythagorean Way of Life, page 14. Scholars Press.; D. J. O'Meara, (1989),
Pythagoras Revived. Mathematics and Philosophy in Late Antiquity, pages 35–40. Clarendon Press.
[58] comp. Cicero, de Leg. i. 12, de Off. i. 7; Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 10
[59] Aristonexus ap. Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 94
[60] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 15; Aristonexus ap. Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 31
[61] Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 80, cf. Aulus Gellius, i. 9
[62] Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 80
[63] comp. Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 32; Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 96, etc.
[64] Plutarch, de Esu Carn. pp. 993, 996, 997
[65] Aristoxenus ap. Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 20
[66] comp. Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 7; Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 85, 108
[67] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 19, 34; Aulus Gellius, iv. 11; Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 34, de Abst. i. 26; Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 98
[68] Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 98; Strabo, vi.
[69] Athenaeus, xiv. 623; Aelian, Varia Historia, xiv. 18; Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 197
[70] Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 96–101
[71] Aristonexus ap. Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 94, 101, etc., 229, etc.; comp. the story of Damon and Phintias; Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. 60; Iamblichus,
Vit. Pyth. 233, etc.
[72] Scholion ad Aristophanes, Nub. 611; Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. 237, 238
[73] R.M. Hare, Plato in C.C.W. Taylor, R.M. Hare and Jonathan Barnes, Greek Philosophers, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 1999 (1982), 103–189, here 117–9.
[74] Metaphysics, 1.6.1 (987a)
[75] Tusc. Disput. 1.17.39.
Sources
Classical secondary sources
Only a few relevant source texts deal with Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans, most are available in different
translations. Other texts usually build solely on information in these works.
• Diogenes Laërtius, Vitae philosophorum VIII (Lives of Eminent Philosophers), c. 200 AD, which in turn
references the lost work Successions of Philosophers by Alexander Polyhistor — Life of Pythagoras, translated
by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
• Porphyry, Vita Pythagorae (Life of Pythagoras), c. 270 AD — Porphyry, Life of Pythagoras (http://www.ccel.
org/ccel/pearse/morefathers/files/porphyry_life_of_pythagoras_02_text.htm), translated by Kenneth Sylvan
Guthrie (1920)
• Iamblichus, De Vita Pythagorica (On the Pythagorean Life), c. 300 AD — Iamblichus, Life of Pythagoras (http:/
/www.completepythagoras.net/mainframeset.html), translated by Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie (1920)
• Apuleius also writes about Pythagoras in Apologia, c. 150 AD, including a story of him being taught by
Babylonian disciples of Zoroaster
• Hierocles of Alexandria, Golden Verses of Pythagoras, c. 430 AD
68
Pythagoras
Modern secondary sources
• Burkert, Walter. Lore and Science in Ancient Pythagoreanism. Harvard University Press, June 1, 1972. ISBN
0-674-53918-4
• Burnyeat, M. F. "The Truth about Pythagoras" (http://www.lrb.co.uk/v29/n04/burn02_.html). London
Review of Books, 22 February 2007.
• Guthrie, W. K. A History of Greek Philosophy: Earlier Presocratics and the Pythagoreans, Cambridge University
Press, 1979. ISBN 0-521-29420-7
• Kingsley, Peter. Ancient Philosophy, Mystery, and Magic: Empedocles and the Pythagorean Tradition. Oxford
University Press, 1995.
• Hermann, Arnold. To Think Like God: Pythagoras and Parmenides—the Origins of Philosophy. Parmenides
Publishing, 2005. ISBN 978-1-930972-00-1
• O'Meara, Dominic J. Pythagoras Revived. Oxford University Press, 1989. ISBN 0-19-823913-0 (paperback),
ISBN 0-19-824485-1 (hardcover)
External links
• Pythagoras (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00p693b) on In Our Time at the BBC. ( listen now (http://
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00p693b/In_Our_Time_Pythagoras))
• Pythagoras (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pythagoras) entry by Carl Huffman in the Stanford Encyclopedia
of Philosophy
• Pythagoras of Samos (http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Mathematicians/Pythagoras.html), The
MacTutor History of Mathematics archive, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews,
Scotland
• Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans, Fragments and Commentary (http://history.hanover.edu/texts/presoc/
pythagor.htm), Arthur Fairbanks Hanover Historical Texts Project, Hanover College Department of History
• Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans (http://www.math.tamu.edu/~don.allen/history/pythag/pythag.html),
Department of Mathematics, Texas A&M University
• Pythagoras and Pythagoreanism (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12587b.htm), The Catholic
Encyclopedia
• Tetraktys (http://www.organelle.org/organelle/tetra/tetraktys.html)
• Golden Verses of Pythagoras (http://pythagoras.name/golden_verses_of_pythagoras.html)
• Pythagoras on Vegetarianism (http://www.animalrightshistory.org/animal-rights-antiquity/pythagoras.htm)
Quotes from primary source historical literature on Pythagoras' view on Vegetarianism, Justice and Kindness
• Homage to Pythagoras (http://users.ucom.net/~vegan/)
• Occult conception of Pythagoreanism (http://web.archive.org/web/20091027110142/http://geocities.com/
go_darkness/god-pythagorean-pentacle.html)
• Pythagoreanism Web Article (http://cyberspacei.com/jesusi/inlight/philosophy/western/Pythagoreanism.
htm)
• Wandering Souls: The Doctrine of Transmigration in Pythagorean Philosophy (http://luchte.wordpress.com/
wandering-souls-the-doctrine-of-transmigration-in-pythagorean-philosophy/), by Dr. James Luchte
• 45-minute documentary (http://freedocumentaries.net/media/164/Pythagoras/) about Pythagoras
• Io and Pi – theatrical play on Pythagoras' life (http://www.regolish.com/Plays.htm)
• The Symbols (http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/gvp/gvp11.htm) of Pythagoras at The Sacred Texts online
69
Philolaus
70
Philolaus
Philolaus (Greek: Φιλόλαος; c. 470–c. 385 BCE[1] ) was a Greek
Pythagorean and Presocratic philosopher. He argued that all matter is
composed of limiting and limitless things, and that the universe is
determined by numbers. He is credited with originating the theory that
the earth was not the center of the universe.
Life
Philolaus is variously reported as being born in either Croton,[2]
Tarentum,[3] or Metapontum.[4] All three places were located in
southern Italy. He may have fled the second burning of the
Pythagorean meeting-place around 454 BCE,[5] after which he
migrated to Greece. According to Plato's Phaedo, he was the instructor
of Simmias and Cebes at Thebes, around the time the Phaedo takes
Medieval woodcut depicting Pythagoras and
place, in 399 BCE.[6] This would make him a contemporary of
Philolaus conducting musical investigations
Socrates, and agrees with the statement that Philolaus and Democritus
were contemporaries.[7] The various reports about his life are scattered
among the writings of much later writers and are of dubious value in reconstructing his life. He apparently lived for
some time at Heraclea, where he was the pupil of Aresas, or (as Plutarch calls him) Arcesus.[8] Diogenes Laërtius is
the only authority for the claim that Plato, shortly after the death of Socrates, traveled to Italy where he met with
Philolaus and Eurytus.[9] The pupils of Philolaus and were said to have included Xenophilus, Phanto, Echecrates,
Diocles and Polymnastus.[10] As to his death, Diogenes Laërtius reports a dubious story that Philolaus was put to
death at Croton on account of being suspected of wanting to be the tyrant;[11] a story which Laërtius even took the
trouble to put into verse.[12]
Writings
Diogenes Laërtius speaks of Philolaus composing one book,[13] but elsewhere he speaks of three books,[14] as do
Aulus Gellius and Iamblichus. It may have been one treatise, divided into three books. Plato is said to have procured
a copy of his book, from which, it was later claimed, Plato composed much of his Timaeus.[15] One of the works of
Philolaus was called On Nature,[13] which seems to be the same work which Stobaeus calls On the World, and from
which he has preserved a series of passages.[16] Other writers refer to a work entitled Bacchae, which may have been
another name for the same work.
Cosmology
Philolaus did away with the ideas of fixed direction in space, and developed one of the first non-geocentric views of
the universe. His new way of thinking quite literally revolved around a hypothetical astronomical object he called the
Central Fire.
Philolaus says that there is fire in the middle at the centre ... and again more fire at the highest point and
surrounding everything. By nature the middle is first, and around it dance ten divine bodies - the sky, the
planets, then the sun, next the moon, next the earth, next the counterearth, and after all of them the fire of the
hearth which holds position at the centre. The highest part of the surrounding, where the elements are found in
their purity, he calls Olympus; the regions beneath the orbit of Olympus, where are the five planets with the
sun and the moon, he calls the world; the part under them, being beneath the moon and around the earth, in
Philolaus
71
which are found generation and change, he calls the sky.
—Stobaeus, i. 22. 1d
A popular misconception about Philolaus is that he supposed that a sphere of the fixed stars, the five planets, the
Sun, Moon and Earth, all moved round his Central Fire, but as these made up only nine revolving bodies, he
conceived in accordance with his number theory a tenth, which he called Counter-Earth. This fallacy grows largely
out of Aristotle's attempt to lampoon his ideas in his book, Metaphysics. In reality, Philolaus' ideas predated the idea
of spheres by hundreds of years. He never recognized the fixed stars as any kind of sphere or object.[17]
His ideas about the nature of the Earth's place in the cosmos was influential. Nicolaus Copernicus mentions in De
revolutionibus that Philolaus already knew about the Earth's revolution around a central fire.
Philosophy
Philolaus argued that all matter is composed of limiters and unlimiteds. Limiters set boundaries, such as shape and
quantity. Unlimiteds are universal forms and rules such as the four elements of earth, air, fire and water and the
continua of space and time. Limiters and unlimiteds are combined together in a harmony (harmonia):
This is the state of affairs about nature and harmony. The essence of things is eternal; it is a unique and divine
nature, the knowledge of which does not belong to man. Still it would not be possible that any of the things
that are, and are known by us, should arrive to our knowledge, if this essence was not the internal foundation
of the principles of which the world was founded, that is, of the limiting and unlimited elements. Now since
these principles are not mutually similar, neither of similar nature, it would be impossible that the order of the
world should have been formed by them, unless the harmony intervened . . .
—Philolaus, Frag. 6a.
This harmony can be described mathematically (similar to the combinations of elements in modern chemistry).
Philolaus used the musical scale to illustrate his philosophy, whereby whole number ratios limit pleasing sounds
(e.g., the octave, fifth, and fourth are defined by the ratios 2 : 1, 4 : 3 and 3 : 2). Philolaus also regarded the soul as a
"mixture and harmony" of the bodily parts.
Notes
[1] "The most likely date for Philolaus' birth would then appear to be around 470, although he could have been born as early as 480 or as late as
440. He appears to have lived into the 380s and at the very least until 399." Carl A. Huffman, (1993) Philolaus of Croton: Pythagorean and
Presocratic, pages 5-6. Cambridge University Press
[2] Iamblichus, Vita Pythagorica, 148
[3] Iamblichus, Vita Pythagorica, 267; Diogenes Laërtius, viii, 46
[4] Iamblichus, Vita Pythagorica, 266-67
[5] Not to be confused with the first burning of the meeting place, in the lifetime of Pythagoras, c. 509 BC
[6] Plato, Phaedo, 61DE
[7] Apollodorus ap. Diogenes Laërtius, ix. 38
[8] Iamblichus, Vita Pythagorica; comp. Plutarch, de Gen. Socr. 13, though the account given by Plutarch involves great inaccuracies
[9] Diogenes Laërtius, iii. 6
[11] "The story at D.L. 84 that Philolaus was killed because he was thought to be aiming at a tyranny is clearly a confusion with Dion who is
mentioned in the context and did have such a death." Carl A. Huffman, (1993) Philolaus of Croton: Pythagorean and Presocratic, page 6.
Cambridge University Press
[12] Diogenes Laërtius, iii. 84; cf. Suda, Philolaus
[14] Diogenes Laërtius, iii. 9, viii. 15
[15] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 15, 55, 84, 85, iii. 9; Aulus Gellius, iii. 17; Iamblichus, Vita Pythagorica; Tzetzes, Chiliad, x. 792, xi. 38
[16] DK 44 B 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
[17] Burch, George Bosworth. The Counter-Earth. Osirus, vol. 11. Saint Catherines Press, 1954. p. 267-294
Philolaus
External links
• Philolaus (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/philolaus) entry by Carl Huffman in the Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Philolaus, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
• Burch, George Bosworth. The Counter-Earth. Osirus, vol. 11. Saint Catherines Press, 1954. p. 267-294 (http://
www.jstor.org/view/03697827/ap020011/02a00180/0?frame=frame&[email protected]/
01cc99331300501b1684b&dpi=3&config=jstor)
Alcmaeon of Croton
Alcmaeon (Gr. Ἀλκμαίων, Alkmaiōn, gen.: Ἀλκμαίωνος; 5th century BC) of Croton (in Magna Græcia) was one of
the most eminent natural philosophers and medical theorists of antiquity. His father's name was Peirithus (Peirithos).
He is said by some to have been a pupil of Pythagoras, and he may have been born around 510 BC.[1] Although he
wrote mostly on medical topics there is some suggestion that he was not a physician but a philosopher of science; he
also indulged in astrology and meteorology. Nothing more is known of the events of his life.[2]
Works
He was considered by many an early pioneer and advocate of anatomical dissection and was said to be the first to
identify Eustachian tubes. His celebrated discoveries in the field of dissection were noted in antiquity, but whether
his knowledge in this branch of science was derived from the dissection of animals or of human bodies is still a
disputed question.[3] Calcidius, on whose authority the fact rests, merely says "qui primus exsectionem aggredi est
ausus," and the word exsectio would apply equally well in either case;[4] some modern scholars doubt Calcidius'
word entirely.[5]
He also was the first to dwell on the internal causes of illnesses. It was he who first suggested that health was a state
of equilibrium between opposing humors and that illnesses were because of problems in environment, nutrition and
lifestyle. He is said also to have been the first person who wrote on natural philosophy (φυσικὸν λόγον),[6] [7] and to
have invented fables.[8] He also wrote several other medical and philosophical works, of which nothing but the titles
and a few fragments have been preserved by Stobaeus,[9] Plutarch,[10] and Galen.[11] His Concerning Nature might
be the earliest example of Greek medical literature.
Alcmaeon of Croton experimented with live animals by cutting the nerve behind the eye to study vision. He also
contributed to the study of medicine by establishing the connection between the brain and the sense organs, and
outlined the paths of the optic nerves as well as stating that the brain is the organ of the mind. However, his theories
were not without mistakes. He said that sleep occurs when blood vessels in the brain are filled and that waking is
caused by the emptying of these vessels. He also stated that the eye contains both fire and water.[12] [13]
Pythagorean
Although Alcmaeon is often called a pupil of Pythagoras, there is great reason to doubt whether he was a
Pythagorean at all;[14] his name seems to have crept into lists of Pythagoreans given us by later writers.[15] Aristotle
mentions him as nearly contemporary with Pythagoras, but distinguishes between the stoicheia (στοιχεῖα) of
opposites, under which the Pythagoreans included all things;[16] and the double principle of Alcmaeon, according to
Aristotle, less extended, although he does not explain the precise difference. Other doctrines of Alcmaeon have been
preserved to us. He said that the human soul was immortal and partook of the divine nature, because like the
heavenly bodies it contained in itself a principle of motion.[17] [18] The eclipse of the moon, which was also eternal,
he supposed to arise from its shape, which he said was like a boat. All his doctrines which have come down to us
72
Alcmaeon of Croton
relate to physics or medicine; and seem to have arisen partly out of the speculations of the Ionian School, with which
rather than the Pythagorean, Aristotle appears to connect Alcmaeon, partly from the traditional lore of the earliest
medical science.[15]
References
• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology
by William Smith (1870).
Notes
[1] "There is disagreement about the date of his birth: Aristotle says that "Alcmaeon of Croton lived when Pythagoras was old," [Metaphysics, 1,
v, 30, 986a] but it would appear that the passage is interpolated. Diogenes Laertius states that he was a disciple of Pythagoras, [viii. 83] and
this could have been possible it we assume that the latter died about 490 and that Alcmaeon was born about 510 BC." Plinio Prioreschi,
(1996), A History of Medicine: Greek medicine, page 167.
[2] Greenhill, William Alexander (1867). "Alcmaeon (3)" (http:/ / www. ancientlibrary. com/ smith-bio/ 0113. html). In William Smith.
Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. 1. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. pp. 104–105. .
[3] Dict. of Ant., p. 756, a
[4] Calcidius, Comment. in Plat. "Tim." p. 368, ed. Fabr.
[5] Owen, Gwilym Ellis Lane (1996). "Alcmaeon (2)". In Hornblower, Simon. Oxford Classical Dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press
[7] Clement of Alexandria, Stromata i. p. 308
[8] fabulas, Isid. Orig. i. 39
[9] Stobaeus, Eclog. Phys.
[10] Plutarch, De Phys. Philos. Decr.
[11] Galen, Histor. Philosoph.
[12] Albert S. Lyons, M.D., F.A.C.S., R. Joseph Petrucelli,II, M.D., Medicine: An Illustrated History, pp. 187, 192
[13] A further account of his philosophical opinions may be found in Gilles Ménage's Notes to Diogenes Laertius, viii. 83, p. 387; Le Clerc, Hist.
de la Med.; Alphonsus Ciacconius ap. Fabric. Biblioth. Graec. vol. xiii. p. 48, ed. vet.; Sprengel, Hist. de la Med. vol. i. p. 239; C. G. Kühn,
De Philosoph. ante Hippocr. Medicinae Cultor. Lips. 1781, 4to., reprinted in Ackermann's Opusc. ad Histor. Medic. Pertinentia, Norimb.
1797, 8vo., and in Kühn's Opusc. Acad. Med. et Philol. Lips. 1827-8, 2 vols. 8vo.; Isensee, Gesch. der Medicin.
[14] Jowett, Benjamin (1867). "Alcmaeon (3)" (http:/ / www. ancientlibrary. com/ smith-bio/ 0114. html). In William Smith. Dictionary of Greek
and Roman Biography and Mythology. 1. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. pp. 105. .
[15] Christian August Brandis, Geschichte der Philosophie vol. i. p. 507-508
[16] Aristotle, Metaphysics A. 5
[17] Aristotle, de Anima, i. 2, p. 405
[18] Cicero, De Natura Deorum i. 11
Further reading
• Andriopoulos, D.Z. (1990). "Alcmeon's and Hippocrates's Concept of Aetia". In Nicolacopoulos, Pantelis. Greek
Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science. Dordrecht: Kluwer.
• Codellas, P.S. (1931/1932). "Alcmaeon of Croton: His Life, Work, and Fragments". Proceedings of the Royal
Society of Medicine 25: 1041-1046.
• Foca, A. (2002). "The Origin of Experimental Medicine in the School of Alcmaeon from Kroton and the
Diffusion of His Philosophy within the Mediterranean Area". Skepsis 13-14: 242-253.
• Guthrie, W.K.C (1962). A History of Greek Philosophy:The Earlier Presocratics and the Pythagoreans. 1.
London: Cambridge University Press.
• Jones, W.H.S. (1979). Philosophy and Medicine in Ancient Greece. New York: Arno Press.
• Lloyd, Geoffrey (1975). "Alcmaeon and the Early History of Dissection". Sudhoffs Archiv 59: 113-147.
• Longrigg, James (1993). Greek Rational Medicine: Philosophy and Medicine from Alcmaeon to the Alexandrians.
London and New York: Routledge.
• Mansfeld, Jaap (1975). "Alcmaeon: 'Physikos' or Physician?". In de Vogel, C.J.; Mansfeld, Jaap; de Rijk,
Lambertus Marie. Kephalaion: Studies in Greek Philosophy and its Continuation Offered to Professor C. J. de
73
Alcmaeon of Croton
Vogel. Assen: Van Gorcum.
• Sigerist, Henry E., ed (1961). A History of Medicine:Early Greek, Hindu, and Persian Medicine. 2. New York:
Oxford University Press.
External links
• Alcmaeon (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/alcmaeon) entry by Carl Huffman in the Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy
• Kudlien, Fridolf (2008) [1970-80]. " Alcameon of Crotona (http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/
1G2-2830900075.html)". Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography. Encyclopedia.com.
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Alcmaeon, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
74
Archytas
75
Archytas
Archytas
Archytas
Full name
Archytas
Born
428 BC
Died
347 BC
Era
Region
Western Philosophy
School
Pythagoreanism
Main interests Notable ideas
-
Archytas (Greek: Ἀρχύτας; 428–347 BC) was an Ancient Greek philosopher, mathematician, astronomer,
statesman, and strategist. He was a scientist of the Pythagorean school and famous for being the reputed founder of
mathematical mechanics, as well as a good friend of Plato.
Archytas
76
Life and work
Archytas was born in Tarentum, Magna Graecia (now southern Italy) and was the son of Mnesagoras or Histiaeus.
For a while, he was taught by Philolaus, and was a teacher of mathematics to Eudoxus of Cnidus. Archytas and
Eudoxus' student was Menaechmus.
Archytas is believed to be the founder of mathematical mechanics.[1]
As only described in the writings of Aulus Gellius five centuries after
him, he was reputed to have designed and built the first artificial,
self-propelled flying device, a bird-shaped model propelled by a jet of
what was probably steam, said to have actually flown some 200
meters.[2] [3] This machine, which its inventor called The Dove, may
have been suspended on a wire or pivot for its flight.[4] [5] Archytas
also wrote some lost works, as he was included by Vitruvius in the list
of the twelve authors of works of mechanics.[6] Thomas Winter has
suggested that the pseudo-Aristotelian Mechanical Problems is an
important mechanical work by Archytas, not lost after all, but
misattributed.[7]
Archytas introduced the concept of a harmonic mean, important much
later in projective geometry and number theory. According to Eutocius,
Archytas
Archytas solved the problem of doubling the cube in his manner with a
geometric construction.[8] Hippocrates of Chios before, reduced this
problem to finding mean proportionals. Archytas' theory of proportions is treated in book VIII of Euclid's Elements,
where is the construction for two proportional means, equivalent to the extraction of the cube root. According to
Diogenes Laertius, this demonstration, which uses lines generated by moving figures to construct the two
proportionals between magnitudes, was the first in which geometry was studied with concepts of mechanics.[9] The
Archytas curve, which he used in his solution of the doubling the cube problem, is named after him.
Politically and militarily, Archytas appears to have been the dominant figure in Tarentum in his generation,
somewhat comparable to Pericles in Athens a half-century earlier. The Tarentines elected him strategos, 'general',
seven years in a row – a step that required them to violate their own rule against successive appointments. He was
allegedly undefeated as a general, in Tarentine campaigns against their southern Italian neighbors. The Seventh
Letter of Plato asserts that Archytas attempted to rescue Plato during his difficulties with Dionysius II of Syracuse.
In his public career, Archytas had a reputation for virtue as well as efficacy. Some scholars have argued that
Archytas may have served as one model for Plato's philosopher king, and that he influenced Plato's political
philosophy as expressed in The Republic and other works (i.e., how does a society obtain good rulers like Archytas,
instead of bad ones like Dionysus II?).
Archytas may have drowned in a shipwreck in the sea of Mattinata, where his body lay unburied on the shore until a
sailor humanely cast a handful of sand on it. Otherwise, he would have had to wander on this side of the Styx for a
hundred years, such the virtue of a little dust, munera pulveris, as Horace calls it in Ode 1.28 on which this
information on his death is based. The poem, however, is difficult to interpret and it is not certain that the
shipwrecked and Archytas are in fact the same person.
The crater Archytas on the Moon is named in his honour.
Archytas
The Archytas Curve
The Archytas Curve is created by placing a semicircle (with a diameter of d) on the diameter of one of the two
circles of a cylinder (which also has a diameter of d) such that the plane of the semicircle is at right angles to the
plane of the circle and then rotating the semicircle about one of its ends in the plane of the cylinder's diameter. This
rotation will cut out a portion of the cylinder forming the Archytas Curve.[10]
Another, less mathematical, way of thinking of this construction is that the Archytas Curve is basically the result of
cutting out a torus formed by rotating a hemisphere of diameter d out of a cylinder also of diameter d. A cone can go
through the same procedures also producing the Archytas Curve. Archytas used his curve to determine the
construction of a cube with a volume of half of that of a given cube.
Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
Diogenes Laertius, Vitae philosophorum, viii.83.
Aulus Gellius, "Attic Nights", Book X, 12.9 at LacusCurtius (http:/ / penelope. uchicago. edu/ Thayer/ E/ Roman/ Texts/ Gellius/ 10*. html)
ARCHYTAS OF TARENTUM, Technology Museum of Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece (http:/ / www. tmth. edu. gr/ en/ aet/ 1/ 14. html)
Modern rocketry (http:/ / www. pressconnects. com/ apps/ pbcs. dll/ article?AID=/ 20070104/ NEWS02/ 701040323/ 1006/ )
Automata history (http:/ / automata. co. uk/ History page. htm)
Vitruvius, De architectura, vii.14.
[7] Thomas Nelson Winter, " The Mechanical Problems in the Corpus of Aristotle (http:/ / digitalcommons. unl. edu/ classicsfacpub/ 68/ ),"
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2007.
[8] Eutocius, commentary on Archimedes' On the sphere and cylinder.
[9] Plato blamed Archytas for his contamination of geometry with mechanics (Plutarch, Symposiacs, Book VIII, Question 2 (http:/ / ebooks.
adelaide. edu. au/ p/ plutarch/ symposiacs/ chapter8. html#section80)): And therefore Plato himself dislikes Eudoxus, Archytas, and
Menaechmus for endeavoring to bring down the doubling the cube to mechanical operations; for by this means all that was good in geometry
would be lost and corrupted, it falling back again to sensible things, and not rising upward and considering immaterial and immortal images,
in which God being versed is always God.
[10] http:/ / mathforum. org/ dr/ math/ faq/ davies/ cubedbl. htm
Further reading
• von Fritz, Kurt (1970). "Archytas of Tarentum". Dictionary of Scientific Biography. 1. New York: Charles
Scribner's Sons. pp. 231–233. ISBN 0684101149.
• Carl A. Huffman, "Archytas of Tarentum", Cambridge University Press, 2005, ISBN 0521837464
External links
• Archytas (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/archytas) entry by Carl Huffman in the Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy
• O'Connor, John J.; Robertson, Edmund F., "Archytas" (http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/
Biographies/Archytas.html), MacTutor History of Mathematics archive, University of St Andrews.
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Archytas, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
• Pseudo-Aristotle, Mechanica (http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/classicsfacpub/68/) - Greek text and English
translation
77
78
Ephesian School
Heraclitus
Heraclitus
Heraclitus by Johannes Moreelse. The image depicts him as "the weeping philosopher" wringing his hands over the world and "the obscure" dressed
in dark clothing, both traditional motifs.
Full name
Heraclitus
Born
c. 535 BCEEphesus
Died
c. 475 BCE (aged around 60)
Era
Ancient philosophy
Region
Western Philosophy
School
Not considered to belong to any school of thought, but later subscribers to the
philosophy were "Heracliteans."
Main interests
Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, Politics
Notable ideas
Logos, flow
Heraclitus of Ephesus (Ancient Greek: Ἡράκλειτος ὁ Ἐφέσιος — Hērákleitos ho Ephésios; c. 535–c. 475 BCE)
was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, a native of the Greek city Ephesus, Ionia, on the coast of Asia Minor. He was
of distinguished parentage. Little is known about his early life and education, but he regarded himself as self-taught
and a pioneer of wisdom. From the lonely life he led, and still more from the riddling nature of his philosophy and
his contempt for humankind in general, he was called "The Obscure," and the "Weeping Philosopher."
Heraclitus is famous for his doctrine of change being central to the universe, as stated in his famous saying, "You
cannot step twice into the same stream." He believed in the unity of opposites, stating that "the path up and down are
one and the same," existing things being characterized by pairs of contrary properties, and other explorations of the
concept of dualism. His cryptic utterance that "all things come to be in accordance with this Logos," (literally,
"word," "reason," or "account") has been the subject of numerous interpretations.
Heraclitus
Life
The main source for the life of Heraclitus is Diogenes Laërtius, although some have questioned the validity of his
account as "a tissue of Hellenistic anecdotes, most of them obviously fabricated on the basis of statements in the
preserved fragments."[1] Diogenes said that Heraclitus flourished in the 69th Olympiad,[2] 504-501 BCE. All the rest
of the evidence – the people Heraclitus is said to have known, or the people who were familiar with his work –
confirms the floruit. His dates of birth and death are based on a life span of 60 years, the age at which Diogenes says
he died,[3] with the floruit in the middle.
Heraclitus was born to an aristocratic family in Ephesus, present-day
Efes, Turkey. His father was named either Blosôn or Herakôn.[2]
Diogenes says that he abdicated the kingship (basileia) in favor of his
brother[4] and Strabo confirms that there was a ruling family in
Ephesus descended from the Ionian founder, Androclus, which still
kept the title and could sit in the chief seat at the games, as well as a
few other privileges.[5] How much power the king had is another
question. Ephesus had been part of the Persian Empire since 547 and
was ruled by a satrap, a more distant figure, as the Great King allowed
Ephesus on the coast of Asia Minor, birthplace of
the Ionians considerable autonomy. Diogenes says that Heraclitus used
Heraclitus
to play knucklebones with the youths in the temple of Artemis and
when asked to start making laws he refused saying that the constitution
(politeia) was ponêra,[6] which can mean either that it was fundamentally wrong or that he considered it toilsome.
With regard to education, Diogenes says that Heraclitus was "wondrous" (thaumasios, which, as Plato explains in the
Theaetetus and elsewhere, is the beginning of philosophy) from childhood. Diogenes relates that Sotion said he was
a "hearer" of Xenophanes, which contradicts Heraclitus' statement (so says Diogenes) that he had taught himself by
questioning himself. Burnet states in any case that "... Xenophanes left Ionia before Herakleitos was born."[7]
Diogenes relates that as a boy Heraclitus had said he "knew nothing" but later claimed to "know everything."[8] His
statement that he "heard no one" but "questioned himself," can be placed alongside his statement that "the things that
can be seen, heard and learned are what I prize the most."[9]
Diogenes relates that Heraclitus had a poor opinion of human affairs.[2] He believed that Hesiod and Pythagoras
lacked understanding though learned[10] and that Homer and Archilochus deserved to be beaten.[11] Laws needed to
be defended as though they were city walls.[12] Timon is said to have called him a "mob-reviler." Heraclitus hated
the Athenians and his fellow Ephesians, wishing the latter wealth in punishment for their wicked ways.[13] Says
Diogenes: "Finally, he became a hater of his kind (misanthrope) and wandered the mountains ... making his diet of
grass and herbs."
Heraclitus' life as a philosopher was interrupted by dropsy. The physicians he consulted were unable to prescribe a
cure. He treated himself with a liniment of cow manure and baking in the sun, believing that this method would
remove the fluid. After a day of treatment he died and was interred in the marketplace.[14]
79
Heraclitus
80
Works
Diogenes states that Heraclitus' work was "a continuous treatise On Nature, but was divided into three discourses,
one on the universe, another on politics, and a third on theology." Theophrastus says (in Diogenes) "... some parts of
his work are half-finished, while other parts make a strange medley."[4]
Diogenes also tells us that Heraclitus deposited his book as a dedication in the great temple of Artemis, the
Artemisium, one of the largest temples of the 6th century BCE and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Ancient temples were regularly used for storing treasures, and were open to private individuals under exceptional
circumstances; furthermore, many subsequent philosophers in this period refer to the work. Says Kahn:[1] "Down to
the time of Plutarch and Clement, if not later, the little book of Heraclitus was available in its original form to any
reader who chose to seek it out." Diogenes says:[4] "the book acquired such fame that it produced partisans of his
philosophy who were called Heracliteans."
As with other pre-Socratics, his writings only survive in fragments quoted by other authors.
Ancient characterizations
The obscure
At some time in antiquity he acquired this epithet denoting that his major sayings were difficult to understand.
Timon of Phlius calls him "the riddler" (ainiktēs) according to Diogenes Laërtius,[4] who had just explained that
Heraclitus wrote his book "rather unclearly" (asaphesteron) so that only the "capable" should attempt it. By the time
of Cicero he had become "the dark" (Ancient Greek ὁ Σκοτεινός — ho Skoteinós)[15] because he had spoken nimis
obscurē, "too obscurely", concerning nature and had done so deliberately in order to be misunderstood. The
customary English translation of ὁ Σκοτεινός follows the Latin, "the obscure."
The weeping philosopher
Diogenes Laërtius ascribes to Theophrastus the theory that Heraclitus did not complete some of his works because of
melancholia.[4] Later he was referred to as the "weeping philosopher," as opposed to Democritus, who is known as
the "laughing philosopher."[16] If Stobaeus[17] writes correctly, Sotion in the early 1st century CE was already
combining the two in the imaginative duo of weeping and laughing philosophers: "Among the wise, instead of anger,
Heraclitus was overtaken by tears, Democritus by laughter." The view is expressed by the satirist Juvenal:[18]
The first of prayers, best known at all the temples, is mostly for riches .... Seeing this then do you not
commend the one sage Democritus for laughing ... and the master of the other school Heraclitus for his tears?
The motif was also adopted by Lucian of Samosata in his "Sale of Creeds," in which the duo is sold together as a
complementary product in the satirical auction of philosophers. Subsequently they were considered an indispensable
feature of philosophic landscapes. Montaigne proposed two archetypical views of human affairs based on them,
selecting Democritus' for himself.[19] The weeping philosopher makes an appearance in William Shakespeare's The
Merchant of Venice.[20] Donato Bramante painted a fresco, "Democritus and Heraclitus," in Casa Panigarola in
Milan.[21]
Heraclitus
81
Philosophy
Logos
"The idea that all things come to pass in accordance with this Logos"[22] and "the Logos is common,"[23] is expressed
in two famous but obscure fragments:
This Logos holds always but humans always prove unable to understand it, both before hearing it and
when they have first heard it. For though all things come to be in accordance with this Logos, humans
are like the inexperienced when they experience such words and deeds as I set out, distinguishing each
in accordance with its nature and saying how it is. But other people fail to notice what they do when
awake, just as they forget what they do while asleep. (DK 22B1)
For this reason it is necessary to follow what is common. But although the Logos is common, most
people live as if they had their own private understanding. (DK 22B2)
The meaning of Logos also is subject to interpretation: "word", "account", "plan", "formula", "measure",
"proportion", "reckoning."[24] Though Heraclitus "quite deliberately plays on the various meanings of logos",[25]
there is no compelling reason to suppose that he used it in a special technical sense, significantly different from the
way it was used in ordinary Greek of his time.[26]
The later Stoics understood it as "the account which governs everything,"[27] and Hippolytus, in the 3rd century CE,
identified it as meaning the Christian Word of God.[28]
Ta Panta rhei, "everything flows"
Τα Πάντα ῥεῖ (ta panta rhei) "everything flows" either was not spoken by Heraclitus or did not survive as a
quotation of his. This famous aphorism used to characterize Heraclitus' thought comes from Simplicius,[29] a
neoplatonist and Plato's Cratylus. The word rhei, adopted by rhe-o-logy, is the Greek word for "to stream, and to the
etymology of Rhea according to Plato's Cratylus."[30]
The philosophy of Heraclitus is summed up in his cryptic
utterance:[31]
ποταμοῖσι τοῖσιν αὐτοῖσιν ἐμϐαίνουσιν, ἕτερα καὶ
ἕτερα ὕδατα ἐπιρρεῖ.
Potamoisi toisin autoisin embainousin, hetera kai
hetera hudata epirrei
"Ever-newer waters flow on those who step into the
same rivers ."
The quote from Heraclitus appears in Plato's Cratylus twice; in
401,d as:[32]
τὰ ὄντα ἰέναι τε πάντα καὶ μένειν οὐδέν”
Ta onta ienai te panta kai menein ouden
"All things move and nothing remains still"
and in 402,a[33]
Heraclitus by Hendrick ter Brugghen
πάντα χωρεῖ καὶ οὐδὲν μένει” καὶ "δὶς ἐς τὸν αὐτὸν
ποταμὸν οὐκ ἂν ἐμβαίης"
Panta chōrei kai ouden menei ... kai ... dis es ton auton potamon ouk an embaies
"Everything changes and nothing remains still .... and ... you cannot step twice into the same stream"
Instead of "flow" Plato uses chōrei, to change chōros.
The assertions of flow are coupled in many fragments with the enigmatic river image:[34]
Heraclitus
82
"Ποταμοῖς τοῖς αὐτοῖς ἐμβαίνομέν τε καὶ οὐκ ἐμβαίνομεν, εἶμέν τε καὶ οὐκ εἶμεν."
"We both step and do not step in the same rivers. We are and are not."
Compare with the Latin adages Omnia mutantur and Tempora mutantur (8 CE) and the Japanese tale Hōjōki, (1200
CE) which contains the same image of the changing river.
Hodos ano kato, "the way up and the way down"
In ὁδὸς ἄνω κάτω[35] the structure anō katō is more accurately translated as a hyphenated word: "the
upward-downward path." They go on simultaneously and instantaneously and result in "hidden harmony".[36] A way
is a series of transformations: the πυρὸς τροπαὶ, "turnings of fire,"[37] first into sea, then half of sea to earth and half
to rarefied air.
The transformation is a replacement of one element by another: "The death of fire is the birth of air, and the death of
air is the birth of water."[38]
This world, which is the same for all, no one of gods or men has made. But it always was and will be: an
ever-living fire, with measures of it kindling, and measures going out.[39]
This latter phraseology is further elucidated:
All things are an interchange for fire, and fire for all things, just like goods for gold and gold for
goods.[40]
Heraclitus considered fire as the most fundamental element. He believed fire gave rise to the other elements and thus
to all things. He regarded the soul as being a mixture of fire and water, with fire being the noble part of the soul, and
water the ignoble part. A soul should therefore aim toward becoming more full of fire and less full of water: a "dry"
soul was best. According to Heraclitus, worldly pleasures made the soul "moist", and he considered mastering one's
worldly desires to be a noble pursuit which purified the soul's fire.[41] Norman Melchert interpreted Heraclitus as
using "fire" metaphorically, in lieu of Logos, as the origin of all things.[42]
Dike eris, "strife is justice"
If objects are new from moment to moment so that one can never touch the same object twice, then each object must
dissolve and be generated continually momentarily and an object is a harmony between a building up and a tearing
down. Heraclitus calls the oppositional processes eris, "strife", and hypothesizes that the apparently stable state, dikê,
or "justice," is a harmony of it:[43]
We must know that war (polemos) is common to all and strife is justice, and that all things come into
being through strife necessarily.
As Diogenes explains:[44]
All things come into being by conflict of opposites, and the sum of things (ta hola, "the whole") flows
like a stream.
In the bow metaphor Heraclitus compares the resultant to a strung bow held in shape by an equilibrium of the string
tension and spring action of the bow:[45]
There is a harmony in the bending back (palintropos) as in the case of the bow and the lyre.
Heraclitus
83
Hepesthai to koino, "follow the common"
People must "follow the common (hepesthai tō ksunō)"[46] and not live having "their own judgement (phonēsis)". He
distinguishes between human laws and divine law (tou theiou "of God").[47]
He removes the human sense of justice from his concept of God; i.e., humanity is not the image of God: "To God all
things are fair and good and just, but people hold some things wrong and some right."[48] God's custom has wisdom
but human custom does not,[49] and yet both humans and God are childish: "human opinions are children's toys"[50]
and "Eternity is a child moving counters in a game; the kingly power is a child's."[51]
Wisdom is "to know the thought by which all things are steered through all things",[52] which must not imply that
people are or can be wise. Only Zeus is wise.[53] To some degree then Heraclitus seems to be in the mystic's position
of urging people to follow God's plan without much of an idea what that may be. In fact there is a note of despair:
"The fairest universe (kallistos kosmos) is but a heap of rubbish (sarma, sweepings) piled up (kechumenon, poured
out) at random (eikê)."[54]
Influence
Plato
In Heraclitus a perceived object is a harmony between two
fundamental units of change, a waxing and a waning. He typically
uses the ordinary word "to become" (gignesthai or ginesthai, root
sense of being born), which led to his being characterized as the
philosopher of becoming rather than of being. He recognizes the
changing of objects with the flow of time.
Plato argues against Heraclitus as follows:[55]
How can that be a real thing which is never in the
same state? ... for at the moment that the observer
approaches, then they become other ... so that you
cannot get any further in knowing their nature or state
.... but if that which knows and that which is known
exist ever ... then I do not think they can resemble a
process or flux ....
In Plato one experienced unit is a state, or object existing, which
can be observed. The time parameter is set at "ever"; that is, the
Heraclitus - detail from The School of Athens by
state is to be presumed present between observations. Change is to
Raphael, 1510
be deduced by comparing observations, but no matter how many
of those you are able to make, you cannot get through the mysterious gap between them to account for the change
that must be occurring there.
Heraclitus
Stoics
Stoicism was a philosophical school which flourished between the 3rd century BCE and about the 3rd century CE. It
began among the Greeks and became the major philosophy of the Roman Empire before declining with the rise of
Christianity in the 3rd century.
Throughout their long tenure the Stoics believed that the major tenets of their philosophy derived from the thought of
Heraclitus.[56] According to Long, "the importance of Heraclitus to later Stoics is evident most plainly in Marcus
Aurelius."[57] Explicit connections of the earliest Stoics to Heraclitus showing how they arrived at their
interpretation are missing but they can be inferred from the Stoic fragments. Long concludes to "modifications of
Heraclitus."[58]
The Stoics were interested in Heraclitus' treatment of fire. In addition to seeing it as the most fundamental of the four
elements and the one that is quantified and determines the quantity (logos) of the other three, he presents fire as the
cosmos, which was not made by any of the gods or men, but "was and is and ever shall be ever-living fire."[59] This
is the closest he comes to a substance, but it is an active one altering other things quantitatively and performing an
activity Heraclitus describes as "the judging and convicting of all things."[60] It is "the thunderbolt that steers the
course of all things."[61] There is no reason to interpret the judgement, which is actually "to separate" (krinein), as
outside of the context of "strife is justice" (see subsection above).
The earliest surviving Stoic work, the Hymn to Zeus of Cleanthes,[62] though not explicitly referencing Heraclitus,
adopts what appears to be the Heraclitean logos modified. Zeus rules the universe with law (nomos) wielding on its
behalf the "forked servant", the "fire" of the "ever-living lightning." So far nothing has been said that differs from the
Zeus of Homer. But then, says Cleanthes, Zeus uses the fire to "straighten out the common logos" that travels about
(phoitan, "to frequent") mixing with the greater and lesser lights (heavenly bodies). This is Heraclitus' logos, but
now it is confused with the "common nomos", which Zeus uses to "make the wrong (perissa, left or odd) right (artia,
right or even)" and "order (kosmein) the disordered (akosma)."[63]
The Stoic modification of Heraclitus' idea of the Logos was also influential on Jewish philosophers such as Philo of
Alexandria, who connected it to "Wisdom personified" {Sophia?}as God's creative principle. Philo uses the term
Logos throughout his treatises on Hebrew Scripture in a manner clearly influenced by the Stoics.
Church fathers
The church fathers were the leaders of the Christian church during its first five centuries of existence, roughly
contemporaneous to Stoicism under the Roman Empire. The works of dozens of writers in hundreds of pages have
survived.
All of them had something to say about the Christian form of the logos. The church found it necessary to
discriminate between the Christian logos and that of Heraclitus as part of its ideological distancing from paganism.
The necessity to convert by defeating paganism was of paramount importance. Hippolytus of Rome therefore
identifies Heraclitus along with the other Pre-Socratics (and Academics) as sources of heresy. Church use of the
methods and conclusions of ancient philosophy as such was as yet far in the future, even though many were
converted philosophers.
In Refutation of All Heresies[64] Hippolytus says: "What the blasphemous folly is of Noetus, and that he devoted
himself to the tenets of Heraclitus the Obscure, not to those of Christ." Hippolytus then goes on to present the
inscrutable DK B67: "God (theos) is day and night, winter and summer, ... but he takes various shapes, just as fire,
when it is mingled with spices, is named according to the savor of each." The fragment seems to support pantheism
if taken literally.
Hippolytus condemns the obscurity of it. He cannot accuse Heraclitus of being a heretic so he says instead: "Did not
(Heraclitus) the Obscure anticipate Noetus in framing a system ...?" The apparent pantheist deity of Heraclitus (if
that is what DK B67 means) must be equal to the union of opposites and therefore must be corporeal and
84
Heraclitus
incorporeal, divine and not-divine, dead and alive, etc., and the Trinity can only be reached by some sort of illusory
shape-shifting.[65]
Notes
[1] Kahn, Charles (1979). The Art and Thought of Heraclitus: Fragments with Translation and Commentary. London: Cambridge University
Press. pp. 1–23. ISBN 0-521-28645-X.
[2] Diogenes Laërtius, ix. 1
[5] Strabo, Chapter 1, section 3.
[7] Chapter 3 beginning.
[9] DK B55.
[10] DK B40.
[11] DK B42.
[12] DK B44.
[13] DK B125a.
[15] De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum, Chapter 2, Section 15.
[16] Seneca, Lucius Annaeus; John M. Cooper & J.F. Procopé (translators) (1995). Moral and Political Essays. Cambridge University Press.
pp. 50 note 17. ISBN 0521348188.
[17] III.20.53
[18] Satire X. Translation from Juvenal; Sidney George Owen (translator) (1903). Thirteen Satires of Juvenal. London: Methuen & Co.. pp. 61.
[19] Montaigne, Michel de. "Of Democritus and Heraclitus" (http:/ / www. gutenberg. org/ etext/ 3600). The Essays of Michel de Montaigne.
www.gutenberg.org. .
[20] Act I Scene II Line 43.
[21] Levenson, Jay, editor (1991). Circa 1492: Art in the Age of Exploration. New Haven: Yale University Press. pp. 229. ISBN 0300051670.
[22] DK B1.
[23] DK B2.
[24] For the etymology see Watkins, Calvert (2000). "Appendix I: Indo-European Roots: leg-" (http:/ / www. bartleby. com/ 61/ roots/ IE267.
html). The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. .
[25] K.F. Johansen, "Logos" in Donald Zeyl (ed.), Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy, Greenwood Press 1997.
[26] pp. 419ff. , W. K. C. Guthrie, A History of Greek Philosophy, vol. 1, Cambridge University Press, 1962.
[27] DK B72, from Marcus Aurelius, Meditations iv. 46
[28] DK B2, DK B50, from Hippolytus, Refutation of all Heresies, ix. 9
[29] Barnes page 65, and also Peters, Francis E. (1967). Greek Philosophical Terms: A Historical Lexicon. NYU Press. pp. 178.
ISBN 081476552. Simplicius' commentary on Aristotle's physica 1313.11.
[30] For the etymology see Watkins, Calvert (2000). "Appendix I: Indo-European Roots: sreu" (http:/ / www. bartleby. com/ 61/ roots/ IE493.
html). The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. . In pronunciation the -ei- is a diphthong sounding like the
-ei- in reindeer. The initial r is aspirated or made breathy, which indicates the dropping of the s in *sreu-.
[31] DK22B12, quoted in Arius Didymus apud Eusebius, Praeparatio Evangelica, 15.20.2
[32] Cratylus Paragraph Crat. 401 section d line 5 (http:/ / www. perseus. tufts. edu/ hopper/ text?doc=Perseus:text:1999. 01. 0171:text=Crat.
:section=401d).
[33] Cratylus Paragraph 402 section a line 8 (http:/ / www. perseus. tufts. edu/ hopper/ text?doc=Plat. + Crat. + 402&
fromdoc=Perseus:text:1999. 01. 0171).
[34] DK B49a, Harris 110. Others like it are DK B12, Harris 20; DK B91, Harris 21.
[35] DK B60
[36] DK B54.
[37] DK B31
[38] DK B76.
[39] DK B30.
[40] DK B90
[41] Russell, Bertrand, History of Western Philosophy
[42]
[43]
[44]
[45]
Melchert, Norman (2006) (5th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195306828.
DK B80.
Diogenes Laërtius, ix. 8
DK B51.
85
Heraclitus
[46]
[47]
[48]
[49]
[50]
[51]
[52]
[53]
[54]
[55]
[56]
[57]
[58]
[59]
[60]
[61]
The initial part of DK B2, often omitted because broken by a note explaining that ksunos (Ionic) is koinos (Attic).
DK B114.
DK B102.
DK B78.
DK B70.
DK B52.
DK B41.
DK B32.
DK B124.
Cratylus Paragraph 440 sections c-d.
Long, A.A. (2001). Stoic Studies. University of California Press. Chapter 2. ISBN 0520229746.
Long, page 56.
Long, page 51.
DK B60.
DK B66.
DK B64.
[62] Different translations of this critical piece of literature, transitional from pagan polytheism to the modern religions and philosophies, can be
found at Rolleston, T.W.. "Stoic Philosophers: Cleanthes' Hymn to Zeus" (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20090805153252/ http:/ / geocities.
com/ WestHollywood/ Heights/ 4617/ stoic/ zeus. html). www.numinism.net. Archived from the original (http:/ / www. geocities. com/
WestHollywood/ Heights/ 4617/ stoic/ zeus. html) on 2009-08-05. . Retrieved 2007-11-28. Ellery, M.A.C. (1976). "Cleanthes' Hymn to Zeus"
(http:/ / www. utexas. edu/ courses/ citylife/ readings/ cleanthes_hymn. html). Tom Sienkewicz at www.utexas.edu. . Retrieved 2007-11-28.
Translator not stated. "Hymn to Zeus" (http:/ / thriceholy. net/ Texts/ Cleanthes. html). Holy, Holy, Holy at thriceholy.net: Hypatia's
Bookshelf. .
[63] The ancient Greek can be found in Blakeney, E.H.. The Hymn of Cleanthes: Greek Text Translated into English: with Brief Introduction and
Notes. The MacMillan Company. Downloadable Google Books at (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=C-gqSkvGz-kC& pg=PA2&
dq=Hymn+ to+ Zeus+ Cleanthes& as_brr=3& ei=nQ9QR6fdNIuEpgK-o4DyDQ#PPA1,M1).
[64] Book IX leading sentence.
[65] Hippolytus. "Refutation of All Heresies" (http:/ / www. newadvent. org/ fathers/ 050109. htm). New Advent. pp. Book IX Chapter 5. .
Retrieved 2007-12-01.
Further reading
• Bakalis, Nikolaos (2005). Handbook of Greek Philosophy: From Thales to the Stoics: Analysis and Fragments.
Trafford Publishing. pp. 26–45 under Heraclitus. ISBN 1-4120-4843-5.
• Barnes, Jonathan (1982). The Presocratic Philosophers [Revised Edition]. London & New York: Routledge
Taylor & Francis Group. ISBN 0-415-05079-0.
• Burnet, John (2003). Early Greek Philosophy (http://books.google.com/books?id=LQYrAAAAMAAJ&
dq=Early+Greek+philosophy&as_brr=3). Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 0-7661-2826-1. First published in 1892,
this book has had dozens of editions and has been used as a textbook for decades. The first edition is
downloadable from Google Books.
• Davenport, Guy (translator) (1979). Herakleitos and Diogenes. Bolinas: Grey Fox Press. ISBN 0-912516-36-4.
Complete fragments of Heraclitus in English.
• Heidegger, Martin; Fink, Eugen; Seibert (translator), Charles H. (1993). Heraclitus Seminar. Evanston:
Northwestern University Press. ISBN 0-8101-1067-9.. Transcript of seminar in which two German philosophers
analyze and discuss Heraclitus' texts.
• Heraclitus; Haxton (translator), Brooks; Hillman (Forward), James (2001). Fragments: The Collected Wisdom of
Heraclitus. New York: Viking (The Penguin Group, Penguin Putnam, Inc.). ISBN 0-670-89195-9.. Parallel Greek
& English.
• Laertius, Diogenes. Lives of the Eminent Philosophers.. Life of Heraclitus, translated by Robert Drew Hicks
(1925)..
• Lavine, T.Z. (1984). From Socrates to Sartre: The Philosophic Quest. New York, New York: Bantam Doubleday
Dell Publishing Group, Inc. (Bantam Books). Chapter 2: Shadow and Substance; Section: Plato's Sources: The
Pre-SocraticPhilosophers: Heraclitus and Parmenides. ISBN 0-553-25161-9.
86
Heraclitus
• Magnus, Magus; Fuchs (introduction), Wolfgang (2010). Heraclitean Pride. Towson: Furniture Press Books.
ISBN 978-098262992-5. Creative re-creation of Heraclitus' lost book, from the fragments.
• Pyle, C. M. (1997). 'Democritus and Heracleitus: An Excursus on the Cover of this Book,' Milan and Lombardy
in the Renaissance. Essays in Cultural History. Rome, La Fenice. (Istituto di Filologia Moderna, Università di
Parma: Testi e Studi, Nuova Serie: Studi 1.) (Fortuna of the Laughing and Weeping Philosophers topos)
• Robinson, T.M. (1987). Heraclitus: Fragments: A Text and Translation with a Commentary. Toronto: University
of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-6913-4.
• Taylor, C. C. W (ed.), Routledge History of Philosophy: From the Beginning to Plato, Vol. I, pp. 80 – 117. ISBN
0-203-02721-3 Master e-book ISBN, ISBN 0-203-05752-X (Adobe eReader Format) and ISBN 0-415-06272-1
(Print Edition).
• Wright, M.R. (1985). The Presocratics: The main Fragments in Greek with Introduction, Commentary and
Appendix Containing Text and Translation of Aristotle on the Presocratics. Bristol: Bristol Classical Press.
ISBN 0-86292-079-5.
External links
• Elpenor. "Heraclitus: The Word is Common" (http://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/ancient-greece/
herakleitus-word.asp). The Greek Word: Three Millenia of Greek Literature. Elpenor. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
Heraclitus bilingual anthology from DK in Greek and English, side by side, the translations being provided by the
organization, Elpenor.
• Graham, Daniel W. (2006). "Heraclitus" (http://www.iep.utm.edu/heraclit/). The Internet Encyclopedia of
Philosophy. The editors. Retrieved 2007-10-09.
• Harris, William, translator (1994). "Heraclitus: The Complete Fragments: Translation and Commentary and The
Greek Text" (http://community.middlebury.edu/~harris/Philosophy/heraclitus.pdf) (pdf). Humanities and the
Liberal Arts: Greek Language and Literature: Text and Commentary. Middlebury College. Retrieved
2007-10-09. Greek and English with DK numbers and commentary.
• "Heraclitus the Obscure: The Father of the Doctrine of Flux and the Unity of Opposites" (http://www.
archimedes-lab.org/heraclitus_aphorism.html). Archimedes' Laboratory. Retrieved 2007-11-09. Text and
selected aphorisms in Greek, English, Italian and French.
• Hooker, Richard (1996). "Heraclitus" (http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/HERAC.HTM). World
Civilizations: An Internet Classroom and Anthology: Greek Philosophy. Washington State University. Retrieved
2007-10-11. Selected fragments translated by Hooker.
• Hoyt, Randy (2002). "The Fragments of Heraclitus" (http://www.heraclitusfragments.com/). Retrieved
2007-10-09. The fragments also cited in DK in Greek (Unicode) with the English translations of John Burnet (see
Bibliography).
• Knierim, Thomas (2007). "Heraclitus:[Ephesus, around 500 BC (http://www.thebigview.com/greeks/
heraclitus.html)"]. thebigview.com. Essay on the flux and fire philosophy of Heraclitus.
• Lancereau, M. Daniel; M. Samuel Béreau (2007). "Heraclitus" (http://philoctetes.free.fr/heraclitus.htm).
Philoctetes: ΦΙΛΟΚΤΗΤΗΣ. Retrieved 2007-10-10. Site with links to pdf's containing the fragments of DK in
Greek (Unicode) with the English translations of John Burnet (see Bibliography) and translations into French,
either in parallel columns or interlinear, with links on the lexical items to Perseus (http://www.perseus.tufts.
edu/) dictionaries. Includes also Heraclitus article from Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition.
• Magnus, Magus. "The Turning" (http://furniturepressbooks.com/books/magnuspride/).
• Stamatellos, Giannis. "Heraclitus of Ephesus: Life and Work" (http://www.philosophy.gr/presocratics/
heraclitus.htm). Retrieved 2007-10-12.
• Trix. "Heraclitus' Epistemological Views" (http://web.archive.org/web/20070929094137/http://journal.
ilovephilosophy.com/Article/Heraclitus--Epistemological-Views/29). sym•pos•i•a: σψμποσια: the online
philosophy journal. Archived from the original (http://journal.ilovephilosophy.com/Article/
87
Heraclitus
Heraclitus--Epistemological-Views/29) on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
• Osho. "Osho discourse on Heraclitus,The Hidden Harmony" (http://www.livingworkshop.net/PDF-files/
The_Hidden_Harmony.pdf).
• "Heraclitus Series" (http://canopycanopycanopy.com/4/heraclitus_series). Heraclitus' fragments rendered into
the language of deductive logic on Triple Canopy (online magazine).
88
89
Eleatic School
Eleatics
The Eleatics were a school of pre-Socratic philosophers at Elea (now Velia), a Greek colony in Campania, Italy. The
group was founded in the early fifth century BCE by Parmenides. Other members of the school included Zeno of
Elea and Melissus of Samos. Xenophanes is sometimes included in the list, though there is some dispute over this.
History
The school took its name from Elea, a Greek city of lower Italy, the home of its chief exponents, Parmenides and
Zeno. Its foundation is often attributed to Xenophanes of Colophon, but, although there is much in his speculations
which formed part of the later Eleatic doctrine, it is probably more correct to regard Parmenides as the founder of the
school.
Xenophanes espoused a belief that "God is one, supreme among gods and men, and not like mortals in body or in
mind." [Zeller, Vorsokrastische Philosophie, p. 530, n. 3.] Parmenides developed some of Xenophanes's
metaphysical ideas. Subsequently, the school debated the possibility of motion and other such fundamental
questions. The work of the school was influential upon Platonic metaphysics.
Philosophy
The Eleatics rejected the epistemological validity of sense experience, and instead took logical standards of clarity
and necessity to be the criteria of truth. Of the members, Parmenides and Melissus built arguments starting from
indubitably sound premises. Zeno, on the other hand, primarily employed the reductio ad absurdum, attempting to
destroy the arguments of others by showing their premises led to contradictions (Zeno's paradoxes).
The main doctrines of the Eleatics were evolved in opposition to the theories of the early physicalist philosophers,
who explained all existence in terms of primary matter, and to the theory of Heraclitus, which declared that all
existence may be summed up as perpetual change. The Eleatics maintained that the true explanation of things lies in
the conception of a universal unity of being. According to their doctrine, the senses cannot cognize this unity,
because their reports are inconsistent; it is by thought alone that we can pass beyond the false appearances of sense
and arrive at the knowledge of being, at the fundamental truth that the All is One. Furthermore, there can be no
creation, for being cannot come from non-being, because a thing cannot arise from that which is different from it.
They argued that errors on this point commonly arise from the ambiguous use of the verb to be, which may imply
existence or be merely the copula which connects subject and predicate.
Though the conclusions of the Eleatics were rejected by the later Presocratics and Aristotle, their arguments were
taken seriously, and they are generally credited with improving the standards of discourse and argument in their
time. Their influence was likewise longlasting -- Gorgias, a Sophist, argued in the style of the Eleatics in his work
"On Nature or What Is Not," and Plato acknowledged them in the Parmenides, the Sophist and the Statesman.
Furthermore, much of the later philosophy of the ancient period borrowed from the methods and principles of the
Eleatics.
Eleatics
90
References
•
Xenophanes
Xenophanes [1] of Colophon (Ancient Greek: Ξενοφάνης ὁ
Κολοφώνιος IPA: [ksenopʰánɛːs ho kolopʰɔ́ːnios]; c.570 – c.475 BC)[2]
was a Greek philosopher, theologian, poet, and social and religious
critic. Knowledge of his views comes from fragments of his poetry,
surviving as quotations by later Greek writers. To judge from these, his
elegiac and iambic[3] poetry criticized and satirized a wide range of
ideas, including Homer and Hesiod, the belief in the pantheon of
anthropomorphic gods and the Greeks' veneration of athleticism. He is
the earliest Greek poet who claims explicitly to be writing for future
generations, creating "fame that will reach all of Greece, and never die
while the Greek kind of songs survives."[4]
Philosophy
Xenophanes' surviving writings display a skepticism that became more
commonly expressed during the fourth century. He cleverly satirized
Xenophanes
the polytheistic beliefs of earlier Greek poets and of his own
contemporaries: "Homer and Hesiod" one fragment states, "have attributed to the gods all sorts of things that are
matters of reproach and censure among men: theft, adultery, and mutual deception." Sextus Empiricus reported
that[5] such observations were appreciated by Christian apologists. Xenophanes is quoted, memorably, in Clement of
Alexandria,[6] arguing against the conception of gods as fundamentally anthropomorphic:
But if cattle and horses and lions had hands
or could paint with their hands and create works such as men do,
horses like horses and cattle like cattle
also would depict the gods' shapes and make their bodies
of such a sort as the form they themselves have.
...
Ethiopians say that their gods are snubnosed and black
Thracians that they are pale and red-haired.[7]
Because of his development of the concept of a "one god greatest among gods and men" that is abstract, universal,
unchanging, immobile and always present, Xenophanes is often seen as one of the first monotheists, in the Western
philosophy of religion, though this vision is disputed.
Xenophanes concluded from his examination of fossils that water once must have covered all of the Earth's surface.
His epistemology, which is still influential today, held that there actually exists a truth of reality, but that humans as
mortals are unable to know it. Karl Popper read Xenophanes as saying that it is possible to act only on the basis of
working hypotheses - we may act as if we knew the truth, as long as we know that this is extremely unlikely. [8]
Xenophanes' views then might serve as a basis of Critical rationalism.
Until the 1950s, there was some controversy over many aspects of Xenophanes, including whether or not he could be
properly characterized as a philosopher. In today's philosophical and classics discourse, Xenophanes is seen as one
Xenophanes
of the most important presocratic philosophers. It had also been common since antiquity to see him as the teacher of
Zeno of Elea, the colleague of Parmenides, and generally associated with the Eleatic school, but common opinion
today is likewise that this is false (see Lesher, p. 102).
There is one fragment dealing with the management of a feast, another which denounces the exaggerated importance
attached to athletic victories, and several which deny the humanized gods of Homer.
There are traces of Anaximander's cosmology in the fragments , and Xenophanes may easily have been his disciple
before he left Ionia . He maintained there was one greatest god. God is one eternal being, spherical in form,
comprehending all things within himself, is intelligent, and moves all things, but bears no resemblance to human
nature either in body or mind.
Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
http:/ / cougar. eb. com/ soundc11/ bix/ bixxen02. wav
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Early Greek philosophy By Jonathan Barnes Page 40 ISBN 0140444610
See Dalby, Andrew (2006), Rediscovering Homer, New York, London: Norton, ISBN 0393057887 p. 123.
Sextus Empiricus, Against the Mathematicians, I.289, and IX.192f.
Clement, Miscellanies V.110 and VII.22.
[7] Diels-Kranz, Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker, Xenophanes frr. 15-16. Many other translations of this passage have Xenophanes state that
the Thracians were "blond".
[8] K. Popper, A. Friemuth Petersen, J. Mejer: The World of Parmenides, p. 46 (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=V76PlyggwQkC&
pg=PA46& dq=B34)
Bibliography
Editions
• E. Zeller, Die Philosophie der Griechen, 1st Volume, p. 378-395 (http://books.google.com/
books?id=aTUCAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA378), Tübingen, 1856
• A. Fairbanks, The First Philosophers of Greece (http://www.archive.org/details/firstphilosopher00fairiala),
p. 65-85, New York, 1898 (cf. Hanover Historical Texts (http://history.hanover.edu/texts/presoc/Xenophan.
html))
• H. Diels and W. Kranz (eds.), Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker (http://www.archive.org/details/
diefragmenteder00krangoog), pp. 38–58, 1st Edition, Berlin, 1903 (6th Ed. is considered standard work and
reprinted unaltered; much superior to Kirk/Raven)
• G. S. Kirk, J. E. Raven, and M. Schofield (http://www.classics.cam.ac.uk/faculty/staff-bios/
academic-research-staff/malcolm_schofield/), The Presocratic Philosophers, Chapter 5 (http://books.google.
com/books?id=kFpd86J8PLsC&pg=PA163), 2nd Edition, Cambridge, 1983
• M. R. Wright, The Presocratics - the main fragments in Greek, Bistrol, 1985 (cf. Xenophanes of Colophon (http:/
/www.philosophy.gr/presocratics/xenophanes.htm) by Giannis Stamatellos)
• B. Gentili and C. Prato (eds.), Poetarum Elegiacorum Testimonia et Fragmenta 1, Leipzig 1988 (best Greek text
available)
• J.H. Lesher (http://philosophy.unc.edu/lesher.htm) (ed.), Xenophanes. Fragments (http://books.google.com/
books?id=LxxJXTviacgC), Toronto 1992 (best English edition and translation)
91
Xenophanes
Further reading
• J. Lesher, Presocratic Contributions to the Theory of Knowledge (http://faculty.washington.edu/smcohen/320/
Lesher.html), 1998
• U. De Young, "The Homeric Gods and Xenophanes' Opposing Theory of the Divine", 2000 (http://ablemedia.
com/ctcweb/showcase/deyoung1.html)
• W. Drechsler and R. Kattel, "Mensch und Gott bei Xenophanes", in: M. Witte, ed., Gott und Mensch im Dialog.
Festschrift für Otto Kaiser zum 80. Geburtstag, Berlin – New York 2004, 111-129
• H. Fränkel, "Xenophanesstudien", Hermes 60 (1925), 174-192
• E. Heitsch, Xenophanes und die Anfänge kritischen Denkens. Mainzer Akademie der Wissenschaften und der
Literatur, Abh. d. Geistes- und Sozialwiss. Kl., 1994, H. 7
• W. Jaeger, The Theology of the Early Greek Philosophers, Gifford Lectures 1936, repr. Westport, Ct. 1980
• K. Jaspers, The Great Philosophers 3, New York etc. 1993
• R. Kattel, "The Political Philosophy of Xenophanes of Colophon", Trames 1(51/46) (1997), 125-142
• O. Kaiser, "Der eine Gott und die Götter der Welt", in: Zwischen Athen und Jerursalem. Studien zur griechischen
und biblischen Theologie, ihrer Eigenart und ihrem Verhältnis, Berlin - New York 2003, 135-152
• K. Ziegler, "Xenophanes von Kolophon, ein Revolutionär des Geistes", Gymmasium 72 (1965), 289-302
External links
• Xenophanes (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/xenophanes) entry by James Lesher in the Stanford
• Xenophanes (http://www.iep.utm.edu/x-phanes) entry in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• Xenophanes of Colophon (http://www.philosophy.gr/presocratics/xenophanes.htm) by Giannis Stamatellos
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Xenophanes, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
92
Parmenides
93
Parmenides
Παρμενίδης
Parmenides
Full name
Παρμενίδης
Era
Region
Western Philosophy
School
Eleatic school
Main interests Metaphysics, Ontology
Notable ideas
Determinism, Ultimate reality
Parmenides of Elea (Greek: Παρμενίδης ὁ Ἐλεάτης; fl. early 5th century BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher
born in Elea, a Greek city on the southern coast of Italy. He was the founder of the Eleatic school of philosophy. The
single known work of Parmenides is a poem, On Nature, which has survived only in fragmentary form. In this poem,
Parmenides describes two views of reality. In "the way of truth" (a part of the poem), he explains how reality (coined
as "what-is") is one, change is impossible, and existence is timeless, uniform, necessary, and unchanging. In "the
way of opinion," he explains the world of appearances, in which one's sensory faculties lead to conceptions which
are false and deceitful. These ideas strongly influenced the whole of Western philosophy, perhaps most notably
through its effect on Plato.
Life
Parmenides was born in the Greek colony of Elea (now Ascea), which, according to Herodotus,[1] had been founded
shortly before 535 BCE. He was descended from a wealthy and illustrious family.[2] His dates are uncertain;
according to Diogenes Laërtius, he flourished just before 500 BCE,[3] which would put his year of birth near 540
BCE, but Plato has him visiting Athens at the age of 65, when Socrates was a young man, c. 450 BCE,[4] which, if
true, suggests a year of birth of c. 515 BCE. He was said to have been a pupil of Xenophanes,[5] and regardless of
whether they actually knew each other, Xenophanes' philosophy is the most obvious influence on Parmenides.[6]
Diogenes Laërtius also describes Parmenides as a disciple of "Ameinias, son of Diochaites, the Pythagorean"; but
there are no obvious Pythagorean elements in his thought. The first hero cult of a philosopher we know of was
Parmenides' dedication of a heroon to his teacher Ameinias in Elea.[7] Parmenides was the founder of the School of
Elea, which also included Zeno of Elea and Melissus of Samos. Of his life in Elea, it was said that he had written the
laws of the city.[8] His most important pupil was Zeno, who according to Plato, was twenty-five years his junior, and
was his eromenos.[9] Parmenides had a large influence on Plato, who not only named a dialogue, Parmenides, after
him, but always spoke of him with veneration.[10]
Parmenides
On Nature
Parmenides is one of the most significant of the pre-Socratic philosophers.[11] His only known work, conventionally
titled On Nature, is a poem, which has only survived in fragmentary form. Approximately 160 lines of the poem
remain today; reportedly the original text had 3,000 lines. It is known, however, that the work originally divided into
three parts:
• A proem (Greek: προοίμιον), which introduced the entire work,
• A section known as "The Way of Truth" (aletheia - ἀλήθεια), and
• A section known as "The Way of Appearance/Opinion" (doxa - δόξα).
The proem is a narrative sequence in which the narrator travels "beyond the beaten paths of mortal men" to receive a
revelation from an unnamed goddess (generally thought to be Persephone or Dike) on the nature of reality. Aletheia,
an estimated 90% of which has survived, and doxa, most of which no longer exists, are then presented as the spoken
revelation of the goddess without any accompanying narrative.
Parmenides attempted to distinguish between the unity of nature and its variety, insisting in the Way of Truth upon
the reality of its unity, which is therefore the object of knowledge, and upon the unreality of its variety, which is
therefore the object, not of knowledge, but of opinion. In the Way of Opinion he propounded a theory of the world of
seeming and its development, pointing out however that, in accordance with the principles already laid down, these
cosmological speculations do not pretend to anything more than mere appearance.
The Proem
In the proem, Parmenides describes the journey of a young man from darkness to light. Carried in a whirling chariot,
and attended by the daughters of the Sun, the man reaches a temple sacred to an unnamed goddess (variously
identified by the commentators with Nature, Wisdom, or Themis), by whom the rest of the proem is spoken. He must
learn all things, she tells him, both truth, which is certain, and human opinions; for, though one cannot rely on human
opinions, they represent an aspect of the whole truth.
94
Parmenides
The Way of Truth
The section known as "the way of truth" discusses that which is real, which
contrasts in some way with the argument of the section called "the way of
opinion," which discusses that which is illusory. Under the "way of truth,"
Parmenides stated that there are two ways of inquiry: that it is, that it is
not.[12] He said that the latter argument is never feasible because nothing
can not be:
For never shall this prevail, that things that are not are. (B 7.1)
There are extremely delicate issues here. In the original Greek the two ways
are simply named "that Is" (ὅπως ἐστίν) and "that Not-Is" (ὡς οὐκ ἐστίν) (B
2.3 and 2.5) without the "it" inserted in our English translation. In ancient
Greek, which, like many languages in the world, does not always require the
presence of a subject for a verb, "is" functions as a grammatically complete
sentence. Much debate has been focused on where and what the subject is.
The simplest explanation as to why there is no subject here is that
Parmenides wishes to express the simple, bare fact of existence in his
mystical experience without the ordinary distinctions, just as the Latin
"pluit" and the Greek huei (ὕει "rains") mean "it rains"; there is no subject
for these impersonal verbs because they express the simple fact of raining
without specifying what is doing the raining. This is, for instance, Hermann
Fraenkel's thesis.[13] Many scholars still reject this explanation and have
produced more complex metaphysical explanations. Since existence is an
immediately intuited fact, non-existence is the wrong path because a thing
Parmenides. Detail from The School of
cannot disappear, just as something cannot originate from nothing. In such
Athens by Raphael.
mystical experience (unio mystica), however, the distinction between subject
and object disappears along with the distinctions between objects, in
addition to the fact that if nothing cannot be, it cannot be the object of thought either:
Thinking and the thought that it is are the same; for you will not find thought apart from what is, in relation to
which it is uttered. (B 8.34-36)
For thought and being are the same. (B 3)
It is necessary to speak and to think what is; for being is, but nothing is not. (B 6.1-2)
Helplessness guides the wandering thought in their breasts; they are carried along deaf and blind alike,
dazed, beasts without judgment, convinced that to be and not to be are the same and not the same, and that the
road of all things is a backward-turning one. (B 6.5-9)
Thus, he concluded that "Is" could not have "come into being" because "nothing comes from nothing". Existence is
necessarily eternal. That which truly is [x], has always been [x], and was never becoming [x]; that which is
becoming [x] was never nothing (Not-[x]), but will never actually be. Parmenides was not struggling to formulate the
conservation of mass-energy; he was struggling with the metaphysics of change, which is still a relevant
philosophical topic today.
Moreover he argued that movement was impossible because it requires moving into "the void", and Parmenides
identified "the void" with nothing, and therefore (by definition) it does not exist. That which does exist is The
Parmenidean One, which is timeless, uniform, and unchanging:
How could what is perish? How could it have come to be? For if it came into being, it is not; nor is it if ever it
is going to be. Thus coming into being is extinguished, and destruction unknown. (B 8.20-22)
95
Parmenides
Nor was [it] once, nor will [it] be, since [it] is, now, all together, / One, continuous; for what coming-to-be of
it will you seek? / In what way, whence, did [it] grow? Neither from what-is-not shall I allow / You to say or
think; for it is not to be said or thought / That [it] is not. And what need could have impelled it to grow / Later
or sooner, if it began from nothing? Thus [it] must either be completely or not at all. (B 8.5-11)
[What exists] is now, all at once, one and continuous... Nor is it divisible, since it is all alike; nor is there any
more or less of it in one place which might prevent it from holding together, but all is full of what is. (B 8.5-6,
8.22-24)
And it is all one to me / Where I am to begin; for I shall return there again. (B 5)
Perception vs. Logos
Parmenides claimed that the truth cannot be known through sensory perception. Only Logos will result in the
understanding of the truth of the world. This is because the perception of things or appearances (the doxa) is
deceptive. Genesis-and-destruction, as Parmenides emphasizes, is illusory, because the underlying material of which
a thing is made will still exist after its destruction. What exists must always exist. And we arrive at the knowledge of
this underlying, static, and eternal reality (aletheia) through reasoning, not through sense-perception.
For this view, that That Which Is Not exists, can never predominate. You must debar your thought from this
way of search, nor let ordinary experience in its variety force you along this way, (namely, that of allowing)
the eye, sightless as it is, and the ear, full of sound, and the tongue, to rule; but (you must) judge by means of
the Reason (Logos) the much-contested proof which is expounded by me. (B 7.1-8.2)
The Way of Opinion (doxa)
After the exposition of the arche - ἀρχή, i.e. the origin, the necessary part of reality that is understood through reason
or logos (that [it] Is) , in the next section, the Way of Appearance/Opinion/Seeming, Parmenides proceeds to explain
the structure of the becoming cosmos (which is an illusion, of course) that comes from this origin.
The structure of the cosmos is a fundamental binary principle that governs the manifestations of all the particulars:
"the aether fire of flame" (B 8.56), which is gentle, mild, soft, thin and clear, and self-identical, and the other is
"ignorant night", body thick and heavy.
The mortals lay down and decided well to name two forms (i.e. the flaming light and obscure darkness of
night), out of which it is necessary not to make one, and in this they are led astray. (B 8.53-4)
The structure of the cosmos then generated is recollected by Aetius (II, 7, 1):
For Parmenides says that there are circular bands wound round one upon the other, one made of the rare,
the other of the dense; and others between these mixed of light and darkness. What surrounds them all is
solid like a wall. Beneath it is a fiery band, and what is in the very middle of them all is solid, around
which again is a fiery band. The most central of the mixed bands is for them all the origin and cause of
motion and becoming, which he also calls steering goddess and keyholder and Justice and Necessity.
The air has been separated off from the earth, vapourized by its more violent condensation, and the sun
and the circle of the Milky Way are exhalations of fire. The moon is a mixture of both earth and fire.
The aether lies around above all else, and beneath it is ranged that fiery part which we call heaven,
beneath which are the regions around the earth.[14]
96
Parmenides
Interpretations of Parmenides
The traditional interpretation of Parmenides' work is that he argued that the every-day perception of reality of the
physical world (as described in doxa) is mistaken, and that the reality of the world is 'One Being' (as described in
aletheia): an unchanging, ungenerated, indestructible whole. Under the Way of Opinion, Parmenides set out a
contrasting but more conventional view of the world, thereby becoming an early exponent of the duality of
appearance and reality. For him and his pupils, the phenomena of movement and change are simply appearances of a
static, eternal reality.
Parmenides' philosophy is presented in the form of poetry. The philosophy he argued was, he says, given to him by a
goddess, though the "mythological" details in Parmenides' poem do not bear any close correspondence to anything
known from traditional Greek mythology:
Welcome, youth, who come attended by immortal charioteers and mares which bear you on your journey to
our dwelling. For it is no evil fate that has set you to travel on this road, far from the beaten paths of men, but
right and justice. It is meet that you learn all things - both the unshakable heart of well-rounded truth and the
opinions of mortals in which there is not true belief. (B 1.24-30)
It is with respect to this religious/mystical context that recent generations of scholars such as Alexander P.
Mourelatos, Charles H. Kahn, and the controversial Peter Kingsley have begun to call parts of the traditional,
rational logical/philosophical interpretation of Parmenides into question (Kingsley in particular stating that
Parmenides practiced iatromancy). It has been claimed that previous scholars placed too little emphasis on the
apocalyptic context in which Parmenides frames his revelation. As a result, traditional interpretations have put
Parmenidean philosophy into a more modern, metaphysical context to which it is not necessarily well suited, which
has led to misunderstanding of the true meaning and intention of Parmenides' message. The obscurity and
fragmentary state of the text, however, renders almost every claim that can be made about Parmenides extremely
contentious, and the traditional interpretation has by no means been abandoned.
Parmenides' considerable influence on the thinking of Plato is undeniable, and in this respect Parmenides has
influenced the whole history of Western philosophy, and is often seen as its grandfather. Even Plato himself, in the
Sophist, refers to the work of "our Father Parmenides" as something to be taken very seriously and treated with
respect. In the Parmenides, the Eleatic philosopher, which may well be Parmenides himself, and Socrates argue
about dialectic. In the Theaetetus, Socrates says that Parmenides alone among the wise (Protagoras, Heraclitus,
Empedocles, Epicharmus, and Homer) denied that everything is change and motion.
Parmenides is credited with a great deal of influence as the author of an "Eleatic challenge" that determined the
course of subsequent philosophers' enquiries. For example, the ideas of Empedocles, Anaxagoras, Leucippus, and
Democritus have been seen as in response to Parmenides' arguments and conclusions.[15]
Influence on the development of science
Parmenides made the ontological argument against nothingness, essentially denying the possible existence of a void.
According to Aristotle, this led Leucippus to propose the atomic theory, which supposes that everything in the
universe is either atoms or voids, specifically to contradict Parmenides' argument. Aristotle himself, proclaimed, in
opposition to Leucippus, the dictum horror vacui or "nature abhors a vacuum". Aristotle reasoned that in a complete
vacuum, motion would encounter no resistance, and thus infinite speed would be possible, something which
Aristotle would not accept.
Erwin Schrödinger identified Parmenides' monad of the "Way of Truth" as being the conscious self in "Nature and
the Greeks".[16] For a discussion of the scientific implications of this view see:Hyman, Anthony, (2007); "The
Selfseeker", Teignvalley Press.
A shadow of Parmenides' ideas can be seen in the physical concept of Block time, which considers existence to
consist of past, present, and future, and the flow of time to be illusory. In his critique of this idea, Karl Popper
97
Parmenides
remarked to Einstein "You are Parmenides".[17]
Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
Herodotus, i.164
Plato, Parmenides, 127A-128B
Aristotle, Metaphysics, i. 5; Sextus Empiricus, adv. Math. vii. 111; Clement of Alexandria, Stromata, i. 301; Diogenes Laërtius, ix. 21
cf. Simplicius, Physics, 22.26-23.20; Hippolytus, i. 14
Encyclopedia of ancient Greece By Nigel Guy Wilson Page 353 ISBN 9780415973342
Speusippus in Diogenes Laërtius, ix. 23, comp. Strabo, vi.; Plutarch, adv. Colot. 1126AB
Plato, Parmenides, 127A: "Zeno and Parmenides once came [to Athens] for the festival of the Great Panathenaea. Parmenides was already a
very old man, white-haired but of distinguished appearance - he was about sixty-five. Zeno was then nearly forty, tall and pleasant to look at he was said to have been Parmenides' lover."
[10] eg. Plato, Theaetetus, 183, e.; Sophist, 237A
[11] According to Czech philosopher Milič Čapek "[Parmenides'] decisive influence on the development of Western thought is probably without
parallel", The New Aspects of Time, 1991, p. 145. That assessment may overstate Parmenides' impact and importance, but it is a useful
corrective to the tendency to underestimate it.
[12] Frag. B 8.11
[13] (Dichtung und Philosophie des fruehen Griechentums, 1962) (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20091027130159/ http:/ / www. geocities.
com/ therapeuter2002/ presocratics333. html)
[14] Stobaeus, i. 22. 1a, quoted in W. K. C. Guthrie, (1979), A History of Greek Philosophy: Volume 2, The Presocratic Tradition from
Parmenides to Democritus, pages 61-2. Cambridge University Press.
[15] See e.g. David Sedley, "Parmenides," in E. Craig (ed.), Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Routledge, 1998): "Parmenides marks a
watershed in Presocratic philosophy. In the next generation he remained the senior voice of Eleaticism, perceived as champion of the One
against the Many. His One was defended by Zeno of Elea and Melissus, while those who wished to vindicate cosmic plurality and change felt
obliged to respond to his challenge. Empedocles, Anaxagoras, Leucippus and Democritus framed their theories in terms which conceded as
much as possible to his rejections of literal generation and annihilation and of division."
[16] Erwin Schrödinger (1954), Nature and the Greeks: and, Science and humanism, pp. 26-33, Cambridge University Press
[17] Popper, Karl (2002). Unended Quest (http:/ / books. google. com/ ?id=NyCEnehPMd8C& pg=PA148& lpg=PA148& dq=popper+ einstein+
parmenides& q). p. 127. ISBN 8420672408. .
References and further reading
• Austin, Scott (1986). Parmenides: Being, Bounds and Logic. Yale University Press. ISBN 0300035594.
• Austin, Scott (2007) Parmenides and the History of Dialectic: Three Essays, Parmenides Publishing, ISBN
978-1-930972-19-3
• Bakalis Nikolaos (2005) Handbook of Greek Philosophy: From Thales to the Stoics Analysis and Fragments,
Trafford Publishing, ISBN 1-4120-4843-5
• Barnes, Jonathan (1978). The Presocratic Philosophers (Two Volumes). Routledge and Kegan Paul.
• Burnet J. (2003) Early Greek Philosophy, Kessinger Publishing.
• Čapek, Milič (1991) The New Aspects of Time, Kluwer
• Cordero, Nestor-Luis (2004) By Being, It Is: The Thesis of Parmenides. Parmenides Publishing, ISBN
978-1-930972-03-2
• Coxon, A. H. (1986). The Fragments of Parmenides. Van Gorcum.
• Coxon A. H. (2009) The Fragments of Parmenides: A Critical Text With Introduction and Translation, the
Ancient Testimonia and a Commentary. Las Vegas, Parmenides Publishing (new edition of Coxon 1986).
• Curd, Patricia (2004). The Legacy of Parmenides: Eleatic Monism and Later Presocratic Thought, Parmenides
Publishing, ISBN 978-1-930972-15-5 (First edition Princeton University Press 1998)
• Gallop David. (1991) Parmenides of Elea – Fragments, University of Toronto Press.
• Guthrie W. K. C. (1979) A History of Greek Philosophy – The Presocratic tradition from Parmenides to
Democritus, Cambridge University Press.
• Heidegger, Martin, Parmenides (trans. Andre Schuwer and Richard Rojcewicz, Indiana University Press, 1992)
98
Parmenides
• Hermann, Arnold (2005) The Illustrated To Think Like God: Pythagoras and Parmenides-The Origins of
Philosophy, Parmenides Publishing, ISBN 978-1-930972-17-9
• Hermann, Arnold (2005) To Think Like God: Pythagoras and Parmenides-The Origins of Philosophy, Parmenides
Publishing, ISBN 978-1-930972-00-1
• Hermann, Arnold (2010) Plato's Parmenides: Text, Translation & Introductory Essay, Parmenides Publishing,
ISBN 978-1-930972-71-1
• Kingsley, Peter (2001). In the Dark Places of Wisdom. Duckworth and Co.
• Kirk G. S., Raven J. E. and Schofield M. (1983) The Presocratic Philosophers, Cambridge University Press,
Second edition.
• Hyman, Anthony (2007), "The Selfseeker" , Teignvalley Press. Explores the Parmenidean dialectic and its
application to modern science.
• Margarete Lünstroth: Teilhaben und Erleiden in Platons Parmenides. Untersuchungen zum Gebrauch von
μετέχειν und πάσχειν. Vertumnus vol. 6. Edition Ruprecht: Göttingen 2006, ISBN 978-3-7675-3080-5
• Melchert, Norman (2002). The Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to Philosophy. McGraw Hill.
ISBN 0-19-517510-7.
• Mourelatos, Alexander P. D. (2007) The Route of Parmenides: A Study of Word, Image, and Argument in the
Fragments, Parmenides Publishing, ISBN 978-1-930972-11-7 (First edition Yale University Press 1970)
•
•
•
•
Nietzsche, Friedrich, Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks, Regnery Gateway ISBN 0-89526-944-9
Popper, Karl R. (1998). The World of Parmenides. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-17301-9.
Gilbert Ryle: „Plato's Parmenides“, in: Mind 48, 1939, S. 129-51, 303-25.
Martin Suhr: Platons Kritik an den Eleaten. Vorschläge zur Interpretation des platonischen Dialogs ‚Parmenides‘,
Hamburg 1969
• Hans Günter Zekl: Der Parmenides, N.G. Elwert Verlag, Marburg/Lahn 1971.
Extensive bibliographies are available here (http:/ / presocratics. org/ parmenides. htm) and here (http:/ / www.
parmenides. com/ images/ pdfs/ Pbib29Apr05online. pdf); annotated bibliography (http:/ / www. ontology. co/
parmenides-biblio-one.htm)
External links
• Parmenides (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/parmenides) entry by John Palmer in the Stanford Encyclopedia
of Philosophy
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Parmenides, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
• "Lecture Notes: Parmenides", S Marc Cohen, University of Washighton (http://faculty.washington.edu/
smcohen/320/parm1.htm)
• Parmenides, On Nature (http://www.elea.org/Parmenides/) at Elea.Org
• Parmenides and the Question of Being in Greek Thought (http://www.ontology.co/parmenides.htm) with an
annotated bibliography and a list of critical editions
• Parallel text of three translations (two English, one German) (http://parmenides.com/about_parmenides/
ParmenidesPoem.html?page=12)
• Parmenides Bilingual Anthology (in Greek and English, side by side) (http://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/
greek-texts/ancient-greece/parmenides-being.asp)
• Fragments of Parmenides (http://philoctetes.free.fr/parmenides.htm) parallel Greek with links to Perseus,
French, and English (Burnet) includes Parmenides article from Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition
• Presocratic Fragments and Testimonials adapted from passages in John Burnet's Early Greek Philosophy (1892).
(http://pftw.org/index.html#PARMENIDES)
• John Burnet, Early Greek Philosophy, 3rd edition 1920: Chap 4 Parmenides of Elia (http://faculty.evansville.
edu/tb2/courses/phil211/burnet/ch4.htm) includes fragments of Parmenides preserved for the most part by
Simplicius including The Way of Belief and the Way of Truth
99
Zeno of Elea
100
Zeno of Elea
Born
ca. 490 BC
Died
ca. 430 BC (aged around 60)
Era
Region
Western Philosophy
School
Eleatic school
Main interests Metaphysics, Ontology
Notable ideas
Zeno's paradoxes
Zeno of Elea (pronounced /ˈziːnoʊ əv ˈɛliə/, Greek: Ζήνων ὁ Ἐλεάτης) (ca. 490 BC? – ca. 430 BC?) was a
pre-Socratic Greek philosopher of southern Italy and a member of the Eleatic School founded by Parmenides.
Aristotle called him the inventor of the dialectic.[1] He is best known for his paradoxes, which Bertrand Russell has
described as "immeasurably subtle and profound".[2]
Life
Little is known for certain about Zeno's life. Although written nearly a century after Zeno's death, the primary source
of biographical information about Zeno is the dialogue of Plato called the Parmenides.[3] In the dialogue, Plato
describes a visit to Athens by Zeno and Parmenides, at a time when Parmenides is "about 65," Zeno is "nearly 40"
(Parmenides 127b) and Socrates is "a very young man" (Parmenides 127c). Assuming an age for Socrates of around
20, and taking the date of Socrates' birth as 469 bc. gives an approximate date of birth for Zeno of 490 bc. ad
Plato says that Zeno was "tall and fair to look upon" and was "in the days of his youth … reported to have been
beloved by Parmenides" (Parmenides 127b).
Other perhaps less reliable details of Zeno's life are given by Diogenes Laërtius in his Lives and Opinions of Eminent
Philosophers,[4] where it is reported that he was the son of Teleutagoras, but the adopted son of Parmenides, was
"skilled to argue both sides of any question, the universal critic," and that he was arrested and perhaps killed at the
hands of a tyrant of Elea.
According to Plutarch, Zeno attempted to kill the tyrant Demylus, and failing to do so, "with his own teeth bit off his
tongue, he spit it in the tyrant’s face."[5]
Works
Although many ancient writers refer to the writings of Zeno, none of his writings survive intact.
Plato says that Zeno's writings were "brought to Athens for the first time on the occasion of" the visit of Zeno and
Parmenides (Parmenides 127c). Plato also has Zeno say that this work, "meant to protect the arguments of
Parmenides" (Parmenides 128c), was written in Zeno's youth, stolen, and published without his consent (Parmenides
128e). Plato has Socrates paraphrase the "first thesis of the first argument" of Zeno's work as follows: "if being is
many, it must be both like and unlike, and this is impossible, for neither can the like be unlike, nor the unlike like"
(Parmenides 127d,e).
According to Proclus in his Commentary on Plato's Parmenides, Zeno produced "not less than forty arguments
revealing contradictions" (p. 29), but only nine are now known.
Zeno's arguments are perhaps the first examples of a method of proof called reductio ad absurdum, literally meaning
to reduce to the absurd. Parmenides is said to be the first individual to implement this style of argument. This form
of argument soon became known as the epicheirema (ἐπιχείρημα). In Book VII of his Topica, Aristotle says that an
Zeno of Elea
epicheirema is a dialectical syllogism. It is a connected piece of reasoning which an opponent has put forward as
true. The disputant sets out to break down the dialectical syllogism. This destructive method of argument was
maintained by him to such a degree that Seneca the Younger commented a few centuries later, If I accede to
Parmenides there is nothing left but the One; if I accede to Zeno, not even the One is left.[6]
Zeno of Elea shows Youths the Doors to Truth and Falsity (Veritas et Falsitas). Fresco in the Library of El Escorial,
Madrid.
Zeno's paradoxes
Zeno's paradoxes have puzzled, challenged, influenced, inspired, infuriated, and amused philosophers,
mathematicians, and physicists for over two millennia. The most famous are the so-called "arguments against
motion" described by Aristotle in his Physics.[7]
Notes
[1] Cited in Diogenes Laërtius 8.57 and 9.25.
[2] Russell, p. 347: "In this capricious world nothing is more capricious than posthumous fame. One of the most notable victims of posterity's
lack of judgement is the Eleatic Zeno. Having invented four arguments all immeasurably subtle and profound, the grossness of subsequent
philosophers pronounced him to be a mere ingenious juggler, and his arguments to be one and all sophisms. After two thousand years of
continual refutation, these sophisms were reinstated, and made the foundation of a mathematical renaissance..."
[3] Plato (370 BC). Parmenides (http:/ / classics. mit. edu/ Plato/ parmenides. html), translated by Benjamin Jowett. Internet Classics Archive.
[4] Diogenes Laërtius. The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, literally translated by C.D. Yonge. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1853.
Scanned and edited for Peithô's Web. (http:/ / classicpersuasion. org/ pw/ diogenes/ dlzeno-eleatic. htm)
[5] Plutarch, Against Colotes
[6] Zeno in The Presocratics, Philip Wheelwright ed., The Odyssey Press, 1966, Pages 106-107.
[7] Aristotle (350 BC). Physics (http:/ / classics. mit. edu/ Aristotle/ physics. html), translated by R.P. Hardie and R.K. Gaye. Internet Classics
Archive.
References
• Plato; Fowler, Harold North (1925) [1914]. Plato in twelve volumes. 8, The Statesman.(Philebus).(Ion). Loeb
Classical Library. trans. W. R. M. Lamb. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard U.P. ISBN 9780434991648.
OCLC 222336129.
• Proclus; Morrow, Glenn R.; Dillon, John M. (1992) [1987]. Proclus' Commentary on Plato's Parmenides.
Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691020891. OCLC 27251522.
• Russell, Bertrand (1996) [1903]. The Principles of Mathematics. New York, NY: Norton. ISBN 9780393314045.
OCLC 247299160.
• Hornschemeier, Paul (2007). The Three Paradoxes. Seattle, WA: Fantagraphics Books.
101
Zeno of Elea
Further reading
•
•
•
•
•
•
Early Greek Philosophy Jonathan Barnes. (Harmondsworth, 1987).
"Zeno and the Mathematicians" G. E. L. Owen. Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society (1957-8).
Paradoxes Mark Sainsbury. (Cambridge, 1988).
Zeno's Paradoxes Wesley C. Salmon, ed. (Indianapolis, 1970).
Zeno of Elea Gregory Vlastos in The Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Paul Edwards, ed.), (New York, 1967).
De compositie van de wereld Harry Mulisch. (Amsterdam, 1980).
External links
• Zeno of Elea (http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Zeno_of_Elea.html) - MacTutor
• Plato's Parmenides (http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/parmenides.html).
• Aristotle's Physics (http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/physics.html).
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Zeno, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
Zeno's paradoxes
Zeno's paradoxes are a set of problems generally thought to have been devised by Zeno of Elea to support
Parmenides's doctrine that "all is one" and that, contrary to the evidence of our senses, the belief in plurality and
change is mistaken, and in particular that motion is nothing but an illusion. It is usually assumed, based on Plato's
Parmenides 128c-d, that Zeno took on the project of creating these paradoxes because other philosophers had created
paradoxes against Parmenides's view. Thus Zeno can be interpreted as saying that to assume there is plurality is even
more absurd than assuming there is only "the One". (Parmenides 128d). Plato makes Socrates claim that Zeno and
Parmenides were essentially arguing exactly the same point (Parmenides 128a-b).
Several of Zeno's nine surviving paradoxes (preserved in Aristotle's Physics[1] and Simplicius's commentary thereon)
are essentially equivalent to one another; and most of them were regarded, even in ancient times, as very easy to
refute.[1] Three of the strongest and most famous—that of Achilles and the tortoise, the Dichotomy argument, and
that of an arrow in flight—are presented in detail below.
Zeno's arguments are perhaps the first examples of a method of proof called reductio ad absurdum also known as
proof by contradiction. They are also credited as a source of the dialectic method used by Socrates.[2]
Modern calculus provides a mathematically rigorous basis on Archimedes' solution of Zeno's paradoxes through
geometric summation,[3] and similar solutions are considered valid by most natural scientists, but Zeno's paradoxes
and their variations (see Thomson's lamp) are still seen as relevant metaphysical problems by many philosophers.[4]
[5] [6]
The origins of the paradoxes are somewhat unclear. Diogenes Laertius, a fourth source for information about Zeno
and his teachings, citing Favorinus, says that Zeno's teacher Parmenides, was the first to introduce the Achilles and
the Tortoise Argument. But in a later passage, Laertius attributes the origin of the paradox to Zeno, explaining that
Favorinus disagrees.[7]
102
Zeno's paradoxes
103
The Paradoxes of Motion
Achilles and the tortoise
In a race, the quickest runner can never overtake the slowest, since the pursuer must first reach the point whence the pursued started, so that
the slower must always hold a lead.
“
”
—Aristotle, Physics VI:9, 239b15
In the paradox of Achilles and the Tortoise, Achilles is in a footrace with the tortoise. Achilles allows the tortoise a
head start of 100 metres. If we suppose that each racer starts running at some constant speed (one very fast and one
very slow), then after some finite time, Achilles will have run 100 metres, bringing him to the tortoise's starting
point. During this time, the tortoise has run a much shorter distance, say, 10 metres. It will then take Achilles some
further time to run that distance, by which time the tortoise will have advanced farther; and then more time still to
reach this third point, while the tortoise moves ahead. Thus, whenever Achilles reaches somewhere the tortoise has
been, he still has farther to go. Therefore, because there are an infinite number of points Achilles must reach where
the tortoise has already been, he can never overtake the tortoise.[8] [9]
The dichotomy paradox
That which is in locomotion must arrive at the half-way stage before it arrives at the goal.
“
”
Suppose Homer wants to catch a stationary bus. Before he can get there, he must get halfway there. Before he can
get halfway there, he must get a quarter of the way there. Before traveling a quarter, he must travel one-eighth;
before an eighth, one-sixteenth; and so on.
The resulting sequence can be represented as:
This description requires one to complete an infinite number of tasks, which Zeno maintains is an impossibility.
This sequence also presents a second problem in that it contains no first distance to run, for any possible (finite) first
distance could be divided in half, and hence would not be first after all. Hence, the trip cannot even begin. The
paradoxical conclusion then would be that travel over any finite distance can neither be completed nor begun, and so
all motion must be an illusion.
This argument is called the Dichotomy because it involves repeatedly splitting a distance into two parts. It contains
some of the same elements as the Achilles and the Tortoise paradox, but with a more apparent conclusion of
motionlessness. It is also known as the Race Course paradox. Some, like Aristotle, regard the Dichotomy as really
just another version of Achilles and the Tortoise.[10]
Zeno's paradoxes
104
The arrow paradox
If everything when it occupies an equal space is at rest, and if that which is in locomotion is always occupying such a space at any moment,
the flying arrow is therefore motionless.
“
”
In the arrow paradox (also known as the fletcher's paradox), Zeno states that for motion to occur, an object must
change the position which it occupies. He gives an example of an arrow in flight. He states that in any one
(durationless) instant of time, the arrow is neither moving to where it is, nor to where it is not.[11] It cannot move to
where it is not, because no time elapses for it to move there; it cannot move to where it is, because it is already there.
In other words, at every instant of time there is no motion occurring. If everything is motionless at every instant, and
time is entirely composed of instants, then motion is impossible.
Whereas the first two paradoxes presented divide space, this paradox starts by dividing time—and not into segments,
but into points.[12]
Three other paradoxes as given by Aristotle
Paradox of Place:
"… if everything that exists has a place, place too will have a place, and so on ad infinitum."[13]
Paradox of the Grain of Millet:
"… there is no part of the millet that does not make a sound: for there is no reason why any such part should
not in any length of time fail to move the air that the whole bushel moves in falling. In fact it does not of itself
move even such a quantity of the air as it would move if this part were by itself: for no part even exists
otherwise than potentially."[14]
The Moving Rows (or Stadium):
"The fourth argument is that concerning the two rows of bodies, each row being composed of an equal number
of bodies of equal size, passing each other on a race-course as they proceed with equal velocity in opposite
directions, the one row originally occupying the space between the goal and the middle point of the course and
the other that between the middle point and the starting-post. This...involves the conclusion that half a given
time is equal to double that time."[15]
For an expanded account of Zeno's arguments as presented by Aristotle, see Simplicius' commentary On Aristotle's
Physics.
Proposed solutions
The proposed solutions to Zeno's paradoxes are various, and there is no reason why there cannot be more than one
satisfactory solution. The most popular proposed solutions go back to Aristotle and Archimedes.
Aristotle (384 BC−322 BC) remarked that as the distance decreases, the time needed to cover those distances also
decreases, so that the time needed also becomes increasingly small.[16] Aristotle's proposed solution for the
paradoxes involves distinguishing "things infinite in respect of divisibility" (such as a unit of space that can be
mentally divided into ever smaller units while remaining spatially the same) from things (or distances) that are
infinite in extension ("with respect to their extremities").[17]
Before 212 BC, Archimedes had developed a method to derive a finite answer for the sum of infinitely many terms
that get progressively smaller. (See: Geometric series, 1/4 + 1/16 + 1/64 + 1/256 + · · ·, The Quadrature of the
Parabola.) Modern calculus achieves the same result, using more rigorous methods (see convergent series, where the
"reciprocals of powers of 2" series, equivalent to the Dichotomy Paradox, is listed as convergent). These methods
Zeno's paradoxes
allow the construction of solutions based on the conditions stipulated by Zeno, i.e. the amount of time taken at each
step is geometrically decreasing.[3] [18]
Aristotle's objection to the arrow paradox was that "Time is not composed of indivisible nows any more than any
other magnitude is composed of indivisibles."[19] Saint Thomas Aquinas, commenting on Aristotle's objection, wrote
"Instants are not parts of time, for time is not made up of instants any more than a magnitude is made of points, as
we have already proved. Hence it does not follow that a thing is not in motion in a given time, just because it is not
in motion in any instant of that time."[20] Bertrand Russell offered what is known as the "at-at theory of motion". It
agrees that there can be no motion "during" a durationless instant, and contends that all that is required for motion is
that the arrow be at one point at one time, at another point another time, and at appropriate points between those two
points for intervening times. In this view motion is a function of position with respect to time.[21] [22] Nick Huggett
argues that Zeno is begging the question when he says that objects that occupy the same space as they do at rest must
be at rest.[12]
Peter Lynds has argued that all of Zeno's motion paradoxes are resolved by the conclusion that instants in time and
instantaneous magnitudes do not actually exist.[23] [24] [25] Lynds argues that an object in relative motion cannot have
a determined relative position (for if it did, it could not be in motion), and so cannot have its motion fractionally
dissected as though it does as in the paradoxes.
Another proposed solution is to question one of the assumptions of Zeno used in his paradoxes (particularly the
Dichotomy), which is that between any two different points in space (or time), there is always another point. Without
this assumption there are only a finite number of distances between two points, hence there is no infinite sequence of
movements, and the paradox is resolved. According to Hermann Weyl, the assumption that space is made of finite
and discrete units is subject to a further problem, given by the "tile argument" or "distance function problem".[26]
According to this, the length of the hypotenuse of a right angled triangle in discretized space is always equal to the
length of one of the two sides, in contradiction to geometry. Jean Paul van Bendegem has argued that the Tile
Argument can be resolved, and that discretization can therefore remove the paradox. [3] [27]
Hans Reichenbach has proposed that the paradox may arise from considering space and time as separate entities. In a
theory like general relativity, which presumes a single space-time continuum, the paradox may be blocked.[28]
Archimedes, the conventional solution, and infinite processes
The solution proposed by Archimedes is a proper mathematical treatment of Aristotle's notion that the time it takes
to cover the increasingly smaller distances is reduced likewise. Since the paradox is not explicit about the rate of
speed at which Achilles catches the tortoise, or how far away he is, we are free to assume that Achilles is catching
the tortoise at a constant rate of 1 metre per second, and that he is 1 metre behind the tortoise. Then the time taken to
cover each distance, as per Zeno, can be modeled as a sequence and the infinite sum of this sequence is
1/2+1/4+1/8+..., which is equal to 1 (see geometric series for a proof of this fact). According to this model, we can
calculate that it will take Achilles exactly 1 second to catch the tortoise.
A stipulation that Achilles is gaining on the tortoise at a constant speed (as a function of time), or something similar,
is necessary. There are several reasons for this. For one thing, if Achilles isn't travelling faster than the tortoise, he
isn't going to catch it.[May not be relevant] In fact, only the closing speed needs to be known - the absolute speeds of
Achilles and the tortoise are irrelevant to the paradox. The tortoise may be stationary as Achilles runs towards it, or it
may be that Achilles is stationary at the bottom of a slippery slope, while the tortoise slides helplessly backwards
down the slope, towards Achilles.[May not be relevant]
When closing speed is constant, it takes Achilles 1/2 a second to gain 1/2 a metre on the tortoise, 1/4 sec to gain
another 1/4 metre, 1/8 sec to gain another 1/8 metre, etc.[clarification needed] If Zeno had mentioned a different
situation[May not be relevant] with a different series, for example, where it takes Achilles 1/2 a second to gain 1/2 a
metre on the tortoise, 1/3 sec to gain another 1/4 metre, 1/4 sec to gain another 1/8 metre, etc., then Achilles is never
going to catch the tortoise (see harmonic series). He will always be catching the tortoise, but at an ever slower rate,
105
Zeno's paradoxes
and will get within billionths and trillionths of a centimetre of the tortoise, but will never actually catch it. The subtle
difference between these two situations reflects the subtleties inherent in the mathematics of infinite processes. It is
as unlikely that Zeno was aware of these subtleties as it is unlikely that Zeno posessed a proof of the divergence of
the harmonic series,[May not be relevant] a result usually credited to Nicole Oresme, a 14th century mathematician based
in Paris, France.
It may be objected that in this situation, the motion of Achilles towards the tortoise is not only not constant, but is
not necessarily even continuous (as a function of time). However, it is possible to achieve the same results with the
closing speed of Achilles modelled by a continuous function - see the digamma function. What this shows is that by
itself (assuming the conventional approach/model used here) knowing that Achilles is always moving forward
relative to the tortoise (i.e. catching the tortoise whilst behind, travelling faster whilst level, or pulling away if he is
ahead) does not entail that Achilles will ever catch the tortoise, but that we need to know how fast he is catching the
tortoise. If he is catching it fast enough, he will catch up eventually. If he is catching up too slowly (according to a
function defined for all time), he never will catch up, ever. According to Archimedes and Aristotle, then, if f(t)
(where f(t)>0) is the function modelling Achilles closing speed on the tortoise as a function of time, the apparent
paradox results from either ignoring this function altogether, or assuming that knowing the precise values it takes is
of no relevance to the problem. This is why the constant speed stipulation, or some similar stipulation, is necessary.
The paradoxes in modern times
Infinite processes remained theoretically troublesome in mathematics until the late 19th century. The epsilon-delta
version of Weierstrass and Cauchy developed a rigorous formulation of the logic and calculus involved. These works
resolved the mathematics involving infinite processes.[29]
While mathematics can be used to calculate where and when the moving Achilles will overtake the Tortoise of
Zeno's paradox, philosophers such as Brown and Moorcroft[4] [5] claim that mathematics does not address the central
point in Zeno's argument, and that solving the mathematical issues does not solve every issue the paradoxes raise.
Zeno's arguments are often misrepresented in the popular literature. That is, Zeno is often said to have argued that
the sum of an infinite number of terms must itself be infinite–with the result that both the distance and the time to be
travelled become infinite. However, none of the original ancient sources has Zeno discussing the sum of any infinite
series. Simplicius has Zeno saying "it is impossible to traverse an infinite number of things in a finite time". This
presents Zeno's problem not with finding the sum, but rather with finishing a task with an infinite number of steps:
how can one ever get from A to B, if an infinite number of events can be identified that need to precede the arrival at
B, and one cannot reach even the beginning of a "last event"?[4] [5] [6] [30]
Today there is still a debate on the question of whether or not Zeno's paradoxes have been resolved. In The History
of Mathematics, Burton writes, "Although Zeno's argument confounded his contemporaries, a satisfactory
explanation incorporates a now-familiar idea, the notion of a 'convergent infinite series.'"[31] Bertrand Russell offered
a "solution" to the paradoxes based on modern physics, but Brown concludes "Given the history of 'final resolutions',
from Aristotle onwards, it's probably foolhardy to think we've reached the end. It may be that Zeno's arguments on
motion, because of their simplicity and universality, will always serve as a kind of 'Rorschach image' onto which
people can project their most fundamental phenomenological concerns (if they have any)."[4]
106
Zeno's paradoxes
The quantum Zeno effect
In 1977,[32] physicists E. C. G. Sudarshan and B. Misra studying quantum mechanics discovered that the dynamical
evolution (motion) of a quantum system can be hindered (or even inhibited) through observation of the system.[33]
This effect is usually called the "quantum Zeno effect" as it is strongly reminiscent of Zeno's arrow paradox.
This effect was first theorized in 1958.[34]
Zeno behavior
In the field of verification and design of timed and hybrid systems, the system behaviour is called Zeno if it includes
an infinite number of discrete steps in a finite amount of time.[35] Some formal verification techniques exclude these
behaviours from analysis, if they are not equivalent to non-Zeno behaviour.[36] [37] In systems design these
behaviours will also often be excluded from system models, since they cannot be implemented with a digital
controller.[38] A simple example of a system showing Zeno behavior is the model of a bouncing ball.
Writings about Zeno’s paradoxes
Zeno’s paradoxes have inspired many writers
• Leo Tolstoy in War and Peace (Part 11,Chapter I) discusses the race of Achilles and the tortoise when critiquing
"historical science".
• In the dialogue What the Tortoise Said to Achilles, Lewis Carroll describes what happens at the end of the race.
The tortoise discusses with Achilles a simple deductive argument. Achilles fails in demonstrating the argument
because the tortoise leads him into an infinite regression.
• In Gödel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter, the various chapters are separated by dialogues between Achilles
and the tortoise, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s works
• The Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges discusses Zeno’s paradoxes many times in his work, showing their
relationship with infinity. Borges also used Zeno’s paradoxes as a metaphor for some situations described by
Kafka. Jorge Luis Borges traces, in an essay entitled "Avatars of the Tortoise", the many recurrences of this
paradox in works of philosophy. The successive references he traces are Agrippa the Skeptic, Thomas Aquinas,
Hermann Lotze, F.H. Bradley and William James.[39]
Notes
[1] Aristotle's Physics (http:/ / classics. mit. edu/ Aristotle/ physics. html) "Physics" by Aristotle translated by R. P. Hardie and R. K. Gaye
[2] ([fragment 65], Diogenes Laertius. IX (http:/ / classicpersuasion. org/ pw/ diogenes/ dlzeno-eleatic. htm) 25ff and VIII 57)
[3] Boyer, Carl (1959). The History of the Calculus and Its Conceptual Development (http:/ / books. google. com/ ?id=w3xKLt_da2UC&
dq=zeno+ calculus& q=zeno#v=snippet& q=zeno). Dover Publications. p. 295. ISBN 9780486605098. . Retrieved 26 February 2010. ""If the
paradoxes are thus stated in the precise mathematical terminology of continuous variables (...) the seeming contradictions resolve
themselves.""
[4] Brown, Kevin. "Zeno and the Paradox of Motion" (http:/ / www. mathpages. com/ rr/ s3-07/ 3-07. htm). Reflections on Relativity. . Retrieved
6 June 2010.
[5] Moorcroft, Francis. "Zeno's Paradox" (http:/ / www. philosophers. co. uk/ cafe/ paradox5. htm). .
[6] Papa-Grimaldi, Alba (1996). "Why Mathematical Solutions of Zeno's Paradoxes Miss the Point: Zeno's One and Many Relation and
Parmenides' Prohibition" (http:/ / www. webalice. it/ keithalba/ timeandreality/ zeno_revmet. htm). The Review of Metaphysics. .
[7] Diogenes Laertius, Lives, 9.23 and 9.29.
[8] "Math Forum" (http:/ / mathforum. org/ isaac/ problems/ zeno1. html). ., matchforum.org
[9] Huggett, Nick (2010). "Zeno's Paradoxes: 3.2 Achilles and the Tortoise" (http:/ / plato. stanford. edu/ entries/ paradox-zeno/ #AchTor).
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. . Retrieved 2011-03-07.
[10] Huggett, Nick (2010). "Zeno's Paradoxes: 3.1 The Dichotomy" (http:/ / plato. stanford. edu/ entries/ paradox-zeno/ #Dic). Stanford
Encyclopedia of Philosophy. . Retrieved 2011-03-07.
[11] Laertius, Diogenes (about 230 CE). "Pyrrho" (http:/ / en. wikisource. org/ wiki/ Lives_of_the_Eminent_Philosophers/ Book_IX#Pyrrho).
Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers. IX. passage 72. .
107
Zeno's paradoxes
[12] Huggett, Nick (2010). "Zeno's Paradoxes: 3.3 The Arrow" (http:/ / plato. stanford. edu/ entries/ paradox-zeno/ #Arr). Stanford Encyclopedia
of Philosophy. . Retrieved 2011-03-07.
[13] Aristotle Physics IV:1, 209a25 (http:/ / classics. mit. edu/ Aristotle/ physics. 4. iv. html)
[14] Aristotle Physics VII:5, 250a20 (http:/ / classics. mit. edu/ Aristotle/ physics. 7. vii. html)
[15] Aristotle Physics VI:9, 239b33 (http:/ / classics. mit. edu/ Aristotle/ physics. 6. vi. html)
[16] Aristotle. Physics 6.9
[17] Aristotle. Physics 6.9; 6.2, 233a21-31
[18] George B. Thomas, Calculus and Analytic Geometry, Addison Wesley, 1951
[19] Aristotle. Physics (http:/ / classics. mit. edu/ Aristotle/ physics. 6. vi. html). VI. Part 9 verse: 239b5. .
[20] Aquinas. Commentary on Aristotle's Physics, Book 6.861
[21] Huggett, Nick (1999). Space From Zeno to Einstein.
[22] Salmon, Wesley C.. Causality and Explanation (http:/ / books. google. ca/ books?id=uPRbOOv1YxUC& pg=PA198& lpg=PA198& dq=at+
at+ theory+ of+ motion+ russell& source=bl& ots=r2WHphbqS8& sig=za0DCh9JHBSXJfvldPGxGPBvG2Y& hl=en&
ei=N-dyTd7yLYP2tgOWkpy3Cw& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=2& sqi=2& ved=0CB8Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage& q=at at
theory of motion russell& f=false). p. 198. .
[23] Lynds, Peter. Zeno's Paradoxes: a Timely Solution (http:/ / philsci-archive. pitt. edu/ 1197/ )
[24] Lynds, Peter. Time and Classical and Quantum Mechanics: Indeterminacy vs. Discontinuity. Foundations of Physics Letter s (Vol. 16, Issue
4, 2003). doi:10.1023/A:1025361725408
[25] Ricker's critique of Lynds (http:/ / www. wbabin. net/ science/ ricker34. pdf)
[26] Geometrical Finitism (http:/ / plato. stanford. edu/ entries/ geometry-finitism/ )
[27] van Bendegem, Jean Paul (1987). "Discussion:Zeno's Paradoxes and the Tile Argument" (http:/ / www. jstor. org/ pss/ 187807). Philosophy
of Science (Belgium) 54: 295–302. doi:10.1086/289379. . Retrieved 2010-02-27.
[28] Hans Reichenbach (1958) The Philosophy of Space and Time. Dover
[29] Lee, Harold (1965). "Are Zeno's Paradoxes Based on a Mistake?" (http:/ / www. jstor. org/ stable/ 2251675). Mind (Oxford University
Press) 74 (296): 563–570. . Retrieved 24 February 2010.
[30] Huggett, Nick (2010). "Zeno's Paradoxes: 5. Zeno's Influence on Philosophy" (http:/ / plato. stanford. edu/ entries/ paradox-zeno/ #ZenInf).
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. . Retrieved 2011-03-07.
[31] Burton, David, A History of Mathematics: An Introduction, McGraw Hill, 2010, ISBN 978-0073383156
[32] Sudarshan, E. C. G.; Misra, B. (1977). "The Zeno’s paradox in quantum theory" (http:/ / adsabs. harvard. edu/ abs/ 1977JMP. . . . 18. .
756M). Journal of Mathematical Physics 18 (4): 756–763. doi:10.1063/1.523304.
[33] W.M.Itano; D.J.Heinsen, J.J.Bokkinger, D.J.Wineland (1990). "Quantum Zeno effect" (http:/ / www. boulder. nist. gov/ timefreq/ general/
pdf/ 858. pdf) (PDF). PRA 41: 2295–2300. doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.41.2295. .
[34] Khalfin, L.A. (1958). Soviet Phys. JETP 6: 1053
[35] Paul A. Fishwick, ed (1 June 2007). "15.6 "Pathological Behavior Classes" in chapter 15 "Hybrid Dynamic Systems: Modeling and
Execution" by Pieter J. Mosterman, The Mathworks, Inc." (http:/ / books. google. com/ ?id=cM-eFv1m3BoC& pg=SA15-PA22). Handbook of
dynamic system modeling. Chapman & Hall/CRC Computer and Information Science (hardcover ed.). Boca Raton, Florida, USA: CRC Press.
pp. 15–22 to 15–23. ISBN 9781584885658. . Retrieved 5 March 2010.
[36] Lamport, Leslie (2002) (PDF). Specifying Systems (http:/ / research. microsoft. com/ en-us/ um/ people/ lamport/ tla/ book-02-08-08. pdf).
Addison-Wesley. p. 128. ISBN 0-321-14306-X. . Retrieved 6 March 2010.
[37] Zhang, Jun; Johansson, Karl; Lygeros, John; Sastry, Shankar (2001). "Zeno hybrid systems" (http:/ / aphrodite. s3. kth. se/ ~kallej/ papers/
zeno_ijnrc01. pdf). International Journal for Robust and Nonlinear control. . Retrieved 2010-02-28.
[38] Franck, Cassez; Henzinger, Thomas; Raskin, Jean-Francois (2002). A Comparison of Control Problems for Timed and Hybrid Systems
(http:/ / mtc. epfl. ch/ ~tah/ Publications/ a_comparison_of_control_problems_for_timed_and_hybrid_systems. html). . Retrieved 2010-03-02.
[39] Borges, Jorge Luis (1964). Labyrinths. London: Penguin. pp. 237–243.
References
• Kirk, G. S., J. E. Raven, M. Schofield (1984) The Presocratic Philosophers: A Critical History with a Selection of
Texts, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521274559.
• Huggett, Nick (2010). "Zeno's Paradoxes" (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/paradox-zeno/). Stanford
Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
• Plato (1926) Plato: Cratylus. Parmenides. Greater Hippias. Lesser Hippias, H. N. Fowler (Translator), Loeb
Classical Library. ISBN 0674991850.
• Sainsbury, R.M. (2003) Paradoxes, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521483476.
108
Zeno's paradoxes
External links
• Silagadze, Z . K. " Zeno meets modern science, (http://uk.arxiv.org/abs/physics/0505042)"
• Zeno's Paradox: Achilles and the Tortoise (http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/
ZenosParadoxAchillesAndTheTortoise/) by Jon McLoone, Wolfram Demonstrations Project.
• Kevin Brown on Zeno and the Paradox of Motion (http://www.mathpages.com/rr/s3-07/3-07.htm)
• Palmer, John (2008). "Zeno of Elea" (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/zeno-elea/). Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy.
This article incorporates material from Zeno's paradox on PlanetMath, which is licensed under the Creative
Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Melissus
Melissus may refer to:
People:
• Melissus of Samos (fl c. 500 BCE), Greek philosopher
• Melissus of Thebes, Greek athlete contrasted to Orion by Pindar
• Gaius Maecenas Melissus, (fl. early 1st century), Roman writer
Other:
• Melissus of Crete, mythological figure
109
110
Pluralists
Pluralist school
The Pluralist School was a school of pre-Socratic philosophers who attempted to reconcile Parmenides' rejection of
change with the apparently changing world of sense experience. The school consisted of Anaxagoras, Archelaus, and
Empedocles. It can also be said to have included the Atomists, Leucippus and Democritus. The Pluralists rejected the
idea that the diversity of nature can be reduced to a single principle (monism). Anaxagoras posited that nature
contained an innumerable number of principles, while Empedocles reduced nature to four elements (fire, air, earth,
and water) which could not be reduced to one another and which would be sufficient to explain change and diversity.
Empedocles
111
Empedocles
Empedocles
Ἐμπεδοκλῆς
Empedocles, 17th century engraving
Full name
Empedocles
Ἐμπεδοκλῆς
Born
490 BCAgrigentum, Sicily
Died
430 BC (aged around 60)Mount Etna, Sicily
Era
Region
Western Philosophy
School
Pluralist School
Main interests cosmogenesis and ontology
Notable ideas
All matter is made up of four elements: water, earth, air and fire.
Empedocles (Ancient Greek: Ἐμπεδοκλῆς; Empedoklēs ca. 490–430 BC) was a Greek pre-Socratic philosopher and
a citizen of Agrigentum, a Greek city in Sicily. Empedocles' philosophy is best known for being the originator of the
cosmogenic theory of the four Classical elements. He also proposed powers called Love and Strife which would act
as forces to bring about the mixture and separation of the elements. These physical speculations were part of a
history of the universe which also dealt with the origin and development of life. Influenced by the Pythagoreans, he
supported the doctrine of reincarnation. Empedocles is generally considered the last Greek philosopher to record his
ideas in verse. Some of his work still survives today, more so than in the case of any other Presocratic philosopher.
Empedocles' death was mythologized by ancient writers, and has been the subject of a number of literary treatments.
Empedocles
112
Life
The temple of Hera at Agrigentum, built when
Empedocles was a young man, c. 470 BC.
Empedocles was born, c. 490 BC, at Agrigentum (Acragas) in Sicily to
a distinguished family.[1] Very little is known about his life. His father
Meto seems to have been instrumental in overthrowing the tyrant of
Agrigentum, presumably Thrasydaeus in 470 BC. Empedocles
continued the democratic tradition of his house by helping to
overthrow the succeeding oligarchic government. He is said to have
been magnanimous in his support of the poor;[2] severe in persecuting
the overbearing conduct of the aristocrats;[3] and he even declined the
sovereignty of the city when it was offered to him.[4]
His brilliant oratory,[5] his penetrating knowledge of nature, and the
reputation of his marvellous powers, including the curing of diseases, and averting epidemics,[6] produced many
myths and stories surrounding his name. He was said to have been a magician and controller of storms, and he
himself, in his famous poem Purifications seems to have promised miraculous powers, including the destruction of
evil, the curing of old age, and the controlling of wind and rain.
Empedocles was acquainted or connected by friendship with the physicians Acron[7] and Pausanias,[8] who was his
eromenos;[9] with various Pythagoreans; and even, it is said, with Parmenides and Anaxagoras.[10] The only pupil of
Empedocles who is mentioned is the sophist and rhetorician Gorgias.[11]
Timaeus and Dicaearchus spoke of the journey of Empedocles to the Peloponnese, and of the admiration which was
paid to him there;[12] others mentioned his stay at Athens, and in the newly-founded colony of Thurii, 446 BC;[13]
there are also fanciful reports of him travelling far to the east to the lands of the Magi.[14]
According to Aristotle, he died at the age of sixty, (c. 430 BC) even though other writers have him living up to the
age of one hundred and nine.[15] Likewise, there are myths concerning his death: a tradition, which is traced to
Heraclides Ponticus, represented him as having been removed from the Earth; whereas others had him perishing in
the flames of Mount Etna.[16]
A contemporary Life of Empedocles by Xanthus has been lost.
Works
Empedocles is considered the last Greek philosopher to write in verse and the surviving fragments of his teaching are
from two poems, Purifications and On Nature. Empedocles was undoubtedly acquainted with the didactic poems of
Xenophanes and Parmenides[17] - allusions to the latter can be found in the fragments, - but he seems to have
surpassed them in the animation and richness of his style, and in the clearness of his descriptions and diction.
Aristotle called him the father of rhetoric, and, although he acknowledged only the meter as a point of comparison
between the poems of Empedocles and the epics of Homer, he described Empedocles as Homeric and powerful in his
diction.[18] Lucretius speaks of him with enthusiasm, and evidently viewed him as his model.[19] The two poems
together comprised 5000 lines.[20] About 550 lines of his poetry survive, although because ancient writers rarely
mentioned which poem they were quoting, it is not always certain to which poem the quotes belong. Some scholars
now believe that there was only one poem, and that the Purifications merely formed the beginning of On Nature.[21]
Empedocles
Purifications
We possess only about 100 lines of his Purifications. It seems to have given a mythical account of the world which
may, nevertheless, have been part of Empedocles' philosophical system. The first lines of the poem are preserved by
Diogenes Laërtius:
Friends who inhabit the mighty town by tawny Acragas
which crowns the citadel, caring for good deeds,
greetings; I, an immortal God, no longer mortal,
wander among you, honoured by all,
adorned with holy diadems and blooming garlands.
To whatever illustrious towns I go,
I am praised by men and women, and accompanied
by thousands, who thirst for deliverance,
some ask for prophecies, and some entreat,
for remedies against all kinds of disease.[22]
It was probably this work which contained a story about souls,[23] where we are told that there were once spirits who
lived in a state of bliss, but having committed a crime (the nature of which is unknown) they were punished by being
forced to become mortal beings, reincarnated from body to body. Humans, animals, and even plants are such spirits.
The moral conduct recommended in the poem may allow us to become like gods again.
On Nature
There are about 450 lines of his poem On Nature extant, including 70 lines which have been reconstructed from
some papyrus scraps known as the Strasbourg Papyrus. The poem originally consisted of 2000 lines of hexameter
verse,[24] and was addressed to Pausanias.[25] It was this poem which outlined his philosophical system. In it,
Empedocles explains not only the nature and history of the universe, including his theory of the four classical
elements, but he describes theories on causation, perception, and thought, as well as explanations of terrestrial
phenomena and biological processes.
Philosophy
Although acquainted with the theories of the Eleatics and the
Pythagoreans, Empedocles did not belong to any one definite school.
An eclectic in his thinking, he combined much that had been suggested
by Parmenides, Pythagoras and the Ionian schools. He was both a firm
believer in Orphic mysteries, as well as a scientific thinker and a
precursor of physical science. Aristotle mentions Empedocles among
the Ionic philosophers, and he places him in very close relation to the
atomist philosophers and to Anaxagoras.[26]
Empedocles, like the Ionian philosophers and the atomists, tried to find
the basis of all change. They did not, like Heraclitus, consider coming
into existence and motion as the existence of things, and rest and
Empedocles as portrayed in the Nuremberg
tranquillity as the non-existence. This is because they had derived from
Chronicle
the Eleatics the conviction that an existence could not pass into
non-existence, and vice versa. In order to allow change to occur in the
world, against the views of the Eleatics, they viewed changes as the result of mixture and separation of unalterable
substances. Thus Empedocles said that a coming into existence from a non-existence, as well as a complete death
and annihilation, are impossible; what we call coming into existence and death is only mixture and separation of
113
Empedocles
what was mixed.[27]
The four elements
It was Empedocles who established four ultimate elements which make all the structures in the world - fire, air,
water, earth.[28] Empedocles called these four elements "roots", which, in typical fashion, he also identified with the
mythical names of Zeus, Hera, Nestis, and Aidoneus.[29] Empedocles never used the term "element" (Greek:
στοιχεῖον) (stoicheion), which seems to have been first used by Plato.[30] According to the different proportions in
which these four indestructible and unchangeable elements are combined with each other the difference of the
structure is produced. It is in the aggregation and segregation of elements thus arising, that Empedocles, like the
atomists, found the real process which corresponds to what is popularly termed growth, increase or decrease.
Nothing new comes or can come into being; the only change that can occur is a change in the juxtaposition of
element with element. This theory of the four elements became the standard dogma for the next two thousand years.
Love and Strife
The four elements are, however, simple, eternal, and unalterable, and as change is the consequence of their mixture
and separation, it was also necessary to suppose the existence of moving powers - to bring about mixture and
separation. The four elements are eternally brought into union, and eternally parted from each other, by two divine
powers, Love and Strife. Love (Greek: φιλία) explains the attraction of different forms of matter, and Strife (Greek:
νεῖκος) accounts for their separation.[31] If the elements are the content of the universe, then Love and Strife explain
their variation and harmony. Love and Strife are attractive and repulsive forces which the ordinary eye can see
working amongst people, but which really pervade the universe. They alternately hold empire over things, - neither,
however, being ever quite absent.
The sphere of Empedocles
As the best and original state, there was a time when the pure elements and the two powers co-existed in a condition
of rest and inertness in the form of a sphere. The elements existed together in their purity, without mixture and
separation, and the uniting power of Love predominated in the sphere: the separating power of Strife guarded the
extreme edges of the sphere.[32] Since that time, strife gained more sway and the bond which kept the pure
elementary substances together in the sphere was dissolved. The elements became the world of phænomena we see
today, full of contrasts and oppositions, operated on by both Love and Strife. The sphere being the embodiment of
pure existence is the embodiment or representative of god. Empedocles assumed a cyclical universe whereby the
elements return and prepare the formation of the sphere for the next period of the universe.
Cosmogony
Since the time of the sphere, Strife has gained more sway; and the actual world is full of contrasts and oppositions,
due to the combined action of both principles. Empedocles attempted to explain the separation of elements, the
formation of earth and sea, of Sun and Moon, of atmosphere. He also dealt with the first origin of plants and animals,
and with the physiology of humans. As the elements entered into combinations, there appeared strange results heads without necks, arms without shoulders.[33] Then as these fragmentary structures met, there were seen horned
heads on human bodies, bodies of oxen with human heads, and figures of double sex.[34] But most of these products
of natural forces disappeared as suddenly as they arose; only in those rare cases where the parts were found to be
adapted to each other, did the complex structures last. Thus the organic universe sprang from spontaneous
aggregations, which suited each other as if this had been intended. Soon various influences reduced the creatures of
double sex to a male and a female, and the world was replenished with organic life. It is possible to see this theory as
an anticipation of Darwin's theory of natural selection, although Empedocles was not trying to explain evolution.[35]
114
Empedocles
115
Perception and knowledge
Empedocles is credited with the first comprehensive theory of light and vision. He put forward the idea that we see
objects because light streams out of our eyes and touches them. While flawed in hindsight, this became the
fundamental basis on which later Greek philosophers and mathematicians, such as Euclid, would construct some of
the most important theories on light, vision and optics.[36]
Knowledge is explained by the principle that the elements in the things outside us are perceived by the
corresponding elements in ourselves.[37] Like is known by like. The whole body is full of pores, (and hence
respiration takes place over the whole frame). In the organs of sense these pores are specially adapted to receive the
effluences which are continually rising from bodies around us; and in this way perception is explained.[38] Thus in
vision, certain particles go forth from the eye to meet similar particles given forth from the object, and the resultant
contact constitutes vision.[39] Perception is not merely a passive reflection of external objects.
Empedocles noted the limitation and narrowness of human perceptions. We see only a part, but fancy that we have
grasped the whole. But the senses cannot lead to truth; thought and reflection must look at the thing on every side. It
is the business of a philosopher, while laying bare the fundamental difference of elements, to display the identity that
exists between what seem unconnected parts of the universe.[40]
Respiration
In a famous fragment,[38] Empedocles attempted to explain the phenomena of respiration by means of an elaborate
analogy with the clepsydra, an ancient device for transmitting liquids from one vessel to another.[41] This fragment
has sometimes been connected to a passage in Aristotle's Physics where Aristotle refers to people who twisted
wineskins and captured air in clepsydras to demonstrate that void does not exist.[42] There is however, no evidence
that Empedocles performed any experiment with clepsydras.[41] The fragment certainly implies that Empedocles
knew about the corporeality of air, but he says nothing whatever about the void.[41] The clepsydra was a common
utensil and everyone who used it must have known, in some sense, that the invisible air could resist liquid.[43]
Reincarnation
Like Pythagoras, Empedocles believed in the transmigration of the soul, that souls can be reincarnated between
humans, animals and even plants.[44] For Empedocles, all living things were on the same spiritual plane; plants and
animals are links in a chain where humans are a link too. Empedocles urged a vegetarian lifestyle, since the bodies of
animals are the dwelling places of punished souls.[45] Wise people, who have learned the secret of life, are next to
the divine,[46] and their souls, free from the cycle of reincarnations, are able to rest in happiness for eternity.[47]
Death and literary treatments
Diogenes Laërtius records the legend that he died by throwing himself
into an active volcano (Mount Etna in Sicily), so that people would
believe his body had vanished and he had turned into an immortal
god;[citation with DL numbers needed] however, the volcano threw
back one of his bronze sandals, revealing the deceit. Another legend
has it that he threw himself in the volcano to prove to his disciples that
he was immortal; he believed he would come back as a god among
men after being devoured by the fire.
Mount Etna in Sicily
In Icaro-Menippus, a comedic dialogue written by the second century
satirist Lucian of Samosata, Empedocles’ final fate is re-evaluated.
Rather than being incinerated in the fires of Mount Etna, he was carried up into the heavens by a volcanic eruption.
Although a bit singed by the ordeal, Empedocles survives and continues his life on the Moon, surviving by feeding
Empedocles
on dew.
Empedocles' death has inspired two major modern literary treatments. Empedocles' death is the subject of Friedrich
Hölderlin's play Tod des Empedokles (Death of Empedocles), two versions of which were written between the years
1798 and 1800. A third version was made public in 1826. In Matthew Arnold's poem Empedocles on Etna, a
narrative of the philosopher's last hours before he jumps to his death in the crater first published in 1852,
Empedocles predicts:
To the elements it came from
Everything will return.
Our bodies to earth,
Our blood to water,
Heat to fire,
Breath to air.
In 2006, a massive underwater volcano off the coast of Sicily was named Empedocles.[48]
Notes
[3] Timaeus, ap. Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 64, comp. 65, 66
[4] Aristotle ap. Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 63; compare, however, Timaeus, ap. Diogenes Laërtius, 66, 76
[5] Satyrus, ap. Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 58; Timaeus, ap. Diogenes Laërtius, 67
[6] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 60, 70, 69; Plutarch, de Curios. Princ., adv. Colotes; Pliny, H. N. xxxvi. 27, and others
[7] Pliny, Natural History, xxix.1.4-5; cf. Suda, Akron
[8] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 60, 61, 65, 69
[9] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 60: "Pausanias, according to Aristippus and Satyrus, was his eromenos"
[10] Suda, Empedocles; Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 55, 56, etc.
[12] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 71, 67; Athenaeus, xiv.
[13] Suda, Akron; Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 52
[14] Pliny, H. N. xxx. 1, etc.
[15] Apollonius, ap. Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 52, comp. 74, 73
[16] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 67, 69, 70, 71; Horace, ad Pison. 464, etc.
[17] Hermippus and Theophrastus, ap. Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 55, 56
[18] Aristotle, Poetics, 1, ap. Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 57.
[19] See especially Lucretius, i. 716, etc.
[20] Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 58.
[21] Simon Trépanier, (2004), Empedocles: An Interpretation, Routledge.
[22] Frag. B112, (Diogenes Laërtius, viii. 61)
[23] Frag. B115, (Plutarch, On Exile, 607CE; Hippolytus, vii. 29)
[24] Suda, Empedocles
[26] Aristotle, Metaphysics, i. 3, 4, 7, Phys. i. 4, de General, et Corr. i. 8, de Caelo, iii. 7.
[27] Frag. B8, (Plutarch, Against Colotes, 1111F); Frag. B12, (Pseudo-Aristotle, On Melissus, Xenophanes, Gorgias, 975a36-b6)
[28] Frag. B17, (Simplicius, Physics, 157-159)
[29] Frag. B6, (Sextus Empiricus, Against the Mathematicians, x, 315.)
[30] Plato, Timaeus, 48b-c
[31] Frag. B35, B26, (Simplicius, Physics, 31-34)
[32] Frag. B35, (Simplicius, Physics, 31-34; On the Heavens, 528-530)
[33] Frag. B57, (Simplicius, On the Heavens, 586)
[34] Frag. B61, (Aelian, On Animals, xvi 29)
[35] Ted Everson, (2007), The gene: a historical perspective page 5. Greenwood
[36] Let There be Light 7 August 2006 01:50 BBC Four
[37] Frag. B109, (Aristotle, On the Soul, 404b11-15)
[38] Frag. B100, (Aristotle, On Respiration, 473b1-474a6)
116
Empedocles
[39] Frag. B84, (Aristotle, On the Senses and their Objects, 437b23-438a5)
[40] Frag. B2, (Sextus Empiricus, Against the Mathematicians, vii. 123-125)
[41] Jonathan Barnes, (2002), The Presocratic Philosophers, page 313. Routledge
[42] Aristotle, Physics, 213a24-7
[43] W. K. C. Guthrie, (1980), A history of Greek philosophy II: The Presocratic tradition from Parmenides to Democritus, page 224. Cambridge
University Press
[44] Frag. B127, (Aelian, On Animals, xii. 7); Frag. B117, (Hippolytus, i. 3.2)
[45] Sextus Empiricus, Against the Mathematicians, ix. 127; Hippolytus, vii. 21
[46] Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies, iv. 23.150
[47] Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies, v. 14.122
[48] BBC News, Underwater volcano found by Italy (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ world/ europe/ 5108360. stm), 23 June 2006
Further reading
• Bakalis, Nikolaos (2005). Handbook of Greek Philosophy: From Thales to the Stoics. Victoria, B.C.: Trafford.
ISBN 1-4120-4843-5.
• Burnet, John (2003) [1892]. Early Greek Philosophy. Whitefish, Mont.: Kessinger. ISBN 0-7661-2826-1.
• Gottlieb, Anthony (2000). The Dream of Reason: A History of Western Philosophy from the Greeks to the
Renaissance. London: Allen Lane. ISBN 0-7139-9143-7.
• Guthrie, W. K. C. (1978) [1965]. A History of Greek Philosophy, vol. 2. ed. The Presocratic Tradition from
Parmenides to Democritus. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-29421-5.
• Inwood, Brad (2001). The Poem of Empedocles (rev. ed.). Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
ISBN 0-8020-4820-X.
• Kingsley, Peter (1995). Ancient Philosophy, Mystery, and Magic: Empedocles and Pythagorean Tradition.
Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 0-19-814988-3.
•
•
•
•
• Review by John Bussanich (http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/bmcr/1997/97.10.19.html)
• Review by John Opsopaus (http://www.cs.utk.edu/~mclennan/BA/Kingsley-rev.html)
• Review by J.-C Picot (https://sites.google.com/site/empedoclesacragas/
ancient-philosophy-mystery-and-magic)
Kirk, G. S.; J. E. Raven, and M. Schofield (1983). The Presocratic Philosophers: A Critical History (2nd ed.).
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-25444-2.
Long, A. A. (1999). The Cambridge Companion to Early Greek Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press. ISBN 0-521-44122-6.
Russell, Bertrand (1945). A History of Western Philosophy, and Its Connection with Political and Social
Circumstances from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. New York: Simon and Schuster.
Wright, M. R. (1995). Empedocles: The Extant Fragments (new ed.). London: Bristol Classical Press.
ISBN 1-85399-482-0.
External links
• Empedocles (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/empedocles) entry by Richard Parry in the Stanford
• Empedocles (http://www.iep.utm.edu/empedocl) entry in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy by Gordon
Campbell
• Empedocles of Agrigentum resources (http://www.classicpersuasion.org/pw/empedocles/) at Peithô's Web
• Empedocles Fragments (http://history.hanover.edu/texts/presoc/emp.htm), translated by Arthur Fairbanks,
1898.
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Empedocles, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
• (http://sites.google.com/site/empedoclesacragas/bibliography-a-z) for an extended and updated bibliography.
• (http://sites.google.com/site/empedoclesacragas/Home) the site dedicated to Empedocles.
117
Empedocles
118
• O'Connor, John J.; Robertson, Edmund F., "Empedocles" (http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/
Biographies/Empedocles.html), MacTutor History of Mathematics archive, University of St Andrews.
Anaxagoras
Anaxagoras
Anaxagoras, part of a fresco in the National University of Athens.
Full name
Anaxagoras
Born
c. 500 BCClazomenae
Died
c. 428 BC (aged around 72)Lampsacus
Era
Ancient philosophy
Region
Western Philosophy
School
Pluralist school
Main interests
Natural philosophy
Notable ideas
Cosmic mind (Nous) ordering all things
Anaxagoras (Greek: Ἀναξαγόρας, Anaxagoras, "lord of the assembly"; c. 500 BC – 428 BC) was a Pre-Socratic
Greek philosopher. Born in Clazomenae in Asia Minor, Anaxagoras was the first philosopher to bring philosophy
from Ionia to Athens. He attempted to give a scientific account of eclipses, meteors, rainbows, and the sun, which he
described as a fiery mass larger than the Peloponnese. According to Diogenes Laertius and Plutarch he fled to
Lampsacus due to a backlash against his pupil Pericles.
Anaxagoras is famous for introducing the cosmological concept of Nous (mind), as an ordering force. He regarded
material substance as an infinite multitude of imperishable primary elements, referring all generation and
disappearance to mixture and separation respectively.
Biography
Anaxagoras appears to have had some amount of property and prospects of political influence in his native town of
Clazomenae in Asia Minor. However, he supposedly surrendered both of these out of a fear that they would hinder
his search for knowledge. Valerius Maximus preserves a different tradition: Anaxagoras, coming home from a long
voyage, found his property in ruin, and said: "If this had not perished, I would have." "This is a sentence - says the
Roman - denoting the most perfect wisdom".[1] Although a Greek, he may have been a soldier of the Persian army
when Clazomenae was suppressed during the Ionian Revolt.
In early manhood (c. 464–461 BC) he went to Athens, which was rapidly becoming the centre of Greek culture.
There he is said to have remained for thirty years. Pericles learned to love and admire him, and the poet Euripides
Anaxagoras
derived from him an enthusiasm for science and humanity.
Anaxagoras brought philosophy and the spirit of scientific inquiry from Ionia to Athens. His observations of the
celestial bodies and the fall of meteorites led him to form new theories of the universal order. He attempted to give a
scientific account of eclipses, meteors, rainbows, and the sun, which he described as a mass of blazing metal, larger
than the Peloponnese. He was the first to explain that the moon shines due to reflected light from the sun. He also
said that the moon had mountains and he believed that it was inhabited. The heavenly bodies, he asserted, were
masses of stone torn from the earth and ignited by rapid rotation. He explained that though both sun and the stars
were fiery stones, we do not feel the heat of the stars because of their enormous distance from earth. He thought that
the earth is flat and floats supported by 'strong' air under it and disturbances in this air sometimes causes
earthquakes.[2] These speculations made him vulnerable in Athens to a charge of impiety. Diogenes Laerius reports
the story that he was prosecuted by Cleon for impiety, but Plutarch says that Pericles sent Anaxagoras to Lampsacus
for his own safety after the Athenians began to blame him for the Peloponnesian war. [3]
At about 450 B.C.,[4] According to Laertius Pericles spoke in his defense at his trial. Even so Anaxagoras was forced
to retire from Athens to Lampsacus in Troad (c. 434–433 BC). He died there in around the year 428 BC. Citizens of
Lampsacus erected an altar to Mind and Truth in his memory, and observed the anniversary of his death for many
years.
Anaxagoras wrote a book of philosophy, but only fragments of the first part of this have survived, through
preservation in work of Simplicius of Cilicia in the sixth century AD.
Cosmological theory
All things have existed from the beginning. But originally they existed
in infinitesimally small fragments of themselves, endless in number
and inextricably combined. All things existed in this mass, but in a
confused and indistinguishable form. There were the seeds (spermata)
or miniatures of wheat and flesh and gold in the primitive mixture; but
these parts, of like nature with their wholes (the homoiomereiai of
Aristotle), had to be eliminated from the complex mass before they
could receive a definite name and character. Mind arranged the
segregation of like from unlike; panta chremata en omou eita nous
elthon auta diekosmese. This peculiar thing, called Mind (Nous), was
no less illimitable than the chaotic mass, but, unlike the logos of
Anaxagoras, depicted as a medieval scholar in the
Heraclitus, it stood pure and independent (mounos ef eoutou), a thing
Nuremberg Chronicle
of finer texture, alike in all its manifestations and everywhere the same.
This subtle agent, possessed of all knowledge and power, is especially seen ruling in all the forms of life.
Mind causes motion. It rotated the primitive mixture, starting in one corner or point, and gradually extended until it
gave distinctness and reality to the aggregates of like parts, working something like a centrifuge, and eventually
creating the known cosmos. But even after it had done its best, the original intermixture of things was not wholly
overcome. No one thing in the world is ever abruptly separated, as by the blow of an axe, from the rest of things.
It is noteworthy that Aristotle accuses Anaxagoras of failing to differentiate between nous and psyche, while
Socrates (Plato, Phaedo, 98 B) objects that his nous is merely a deus ex machina to which he refuses to attribute
design and knowledge.
Anaxagoras proceeded to give some account of the stages in the process from original chaos to present
arrangements. The division into cold mist and warm ether first broke the spell of confusion. With increasing cold, the
former gave rise to water, earth and stones. The seeds of life which continued floating in the air were carried down
with the rains and produced vegetation. Animals, including man, sprang from the warm and moist clay. If these
119
Anaxagoras
things be so, then the evidence of the senses must be held in slight esteem. We seem to see things coming into being
and passing from it; but reflection tells us that decease and growth only mean a new aggregation (synkrisis) and
disruption (diakrisis). Thus Anaxagoras distrusted the senses, and gave the preference to the conclusions of
reflection. Thus he maintained that there must be blackness as well as whiteness in snow; how otherwise could it be
turned into dark water?
Anaxagoras marked a turning-point in the history of philosophy. With him speculation passes from the colonies of
Greece to settle at Athens. By the theory of minute constituents of things, and his emphasis on mechanical processes
in the formation of order, he paved the way for the atomic theory.
Notes
[1] Val. Max., VIII, 7, ext., 5: Qui, cum e diutina peregrinatione patriam repetisset possessionesque desertas vidisset, "non essem - inquit "ego
salvus, nisi istae perissent." Vocem petitae sapientiae compotem!
[2] Burnet J. (1892) Early Greek Philosophy A. & C. Black, London, OCLC 4365382 (http:/ / worldcat. org/ oclc/ 4365382), and subsequent
editions, 2003 edition published by Kessinger, Whitefish, Montana, ISBN 0-7661-2826-1
[3] Plutarch, Pericles, (http:/ / classics. mit. edu/ Plutarch/ pericles. 1b. txt)
[4] A.E. Taylor, "On the date of the trial of Anaxagoras" Classical Quarterly 11 (1917), pp 81–87.
References
•
Further reading
• Bakalis Nikolaos (2005). Handbook of Greek Philosophy: From Thales to the Stoics Analysis and Fragments,
Trafford Publishing, Victoria, BC., ISBN 1-4120-4843-5
• Barnes J. (1979). The Presocratic Philosophers, Routledge, London, ISBN 0-7100-8860-4, and editions of 1982,
1996 and 2006
• Burnet J. (1892). Early Greek Philosophy A. & C. Black, London, OCLC 4365382 (http://worldcat.org/oclc/
4365382), and subsequent editions, 2003 edition published by Kessinger, Whitefish, Montana, ISBN
0-7661-2826-1
• Cleve, Felix M. (1949). The Philosophy of Anaxagoras: An attempt at reconstruction King's Crown Press, New
York OCLC 2692674 (http://worldcat.org/oclc/2692674); republished in 1973 by Nijhoff, The Hague, as The
Philosophy of Anaxagoras: As reconstructed ISBN 90-247-1573-3
• Curd, Patricia (2007). Anaxagoras of Clazomenae : Fragments and Testimonia : a text and translation with notes
and essays University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 978-0-8020-9325-7
• Davison, J. A. (1953). "Protagoras, Democtitus, and Anaxagoras". Classical Quarterly 3 (N.s): 33-45.
• Gershenson, Daniel E. and Greenberg, Daniel A. (1964) Anaxagoras and the birth of physics Blaisdell Publishing
Co., New York, OCLC 899834 (http://worldcat.org/oclc/899834)
• Graham, Daniel W. (1999). "Empedocles and Anaxagoras: Responses to Parmenides" Chapter 8 of Long, A. A.
(1999) The Cambridge Companion to Early Greek Philosophy Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
pp. 159–180, ISBN 0-521-44667-8
• Guthrie, W. K. C. (1965). "The Presocratic tradition from Parmenides to Democritus" volume 2 of A History of
Greek Philosophy Cambridge University Press, Cambridge OCLC 4679552 (http://worldcat.org/oclc/
4679552); 1978 edition ISBN 0-521-29421-5
• Guthrie, W. K. C. (1962). A History of Greek Philosophy. 2. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Kirk G. S.; Raven, J. E. and Schofield, M. (1983) The Presocratic Philosophers: a critical history with a selection
of texts (2nd ed.) Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, ISBN 0-521-25444-2; originally authored by Kirk and
Raven and published in 1957 OCLC 870519 (http://worldcat.org/oclc/870519)
120
Anaxagoras
• Mansfield, J. (1980). "The Chronology of Anaxagoras' Athenian Period and the Date of His Trial". Mnemosyne
33: 17-95.
• Schofield, Malcolm (1980). An Essay on Anaxagoras. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Taylor, A.E. (1917). "On the Date of the Trial of Anaxagoras". Classical Quarterly 11: 81-87.
• Taylor, C. C. W. (ed.) (1997). Routledge History of Philosophy: From the Beginning to Plato, Vol. I, pp. 192 –
225, ISBN 0-203-02721-3 Master e-book ISBN, ISBN 0-203-05752-X (Adobe eReader Format) and ISBN
0-415-06272-1 (Print Edition).
• Teodorsson, Sven-Tage (1982). Anaxagoras' theory of matter. Acta Universitatis Gothoburgensis, Göteborg,
Sweden, ISBN 91-7346-111-3, in English
• Zeller, A. (1881). A History of Greek Philosophy: From the Earliest Period to the Time of Socrates, Vol. II,
translated by S. F. Alleyne, pp. 321 – 394
External links
• Anaxagoras (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/anaxagoras) entry by Patricia Curd in the Stanford Encyclopedia
of Philosophy
• O'Connor, John J.; Robertson, Edmund F., "Anaxagoras" (http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/
Biographies/Anaxagoras.html), MacTutor History of Mathematics archive, University of St Andrews.
• Weisstein, Eric W., Anaxagoras of Clazomenae (ca. 500–ca. 428 BC) (http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/
biography/Anaxagoras.html) from ScienceWorld.
• Anaxagoras in English and Greek, Select Online Resources (http://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/
ancient-greece/anaxagoras-nous.asp)
• Translation and Commentary (http://www.classicpersuasion.org/pw/burnet/egp.htm?chapter=6#124) from
John Burnet's Early Greek Philosophy.
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Anaxagoras, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
121
122
Atomists
Atomism
Atomism is a natural philosophy that developed in several ancient traditions. The atomists theorized that the natural
world consists of two fundamental principles, atoms (indivisible bodies) and void, (a vacuum, i.e. empty space).
Atoms are indestructible and immutable and there are an infinite variety of shapes and sizes. They move through the
void, bouncing off each other, sometimes becoming hooked with one or more others to form a cluster. Clusters of
different shapes, arrangements, and positions give rise to the various macroscopic substances in the world. (Aristotle,
Metaphysics I, 4, 985b 10–15).[1] The word atomism derives from the ancient Greek adjective atomos, which
literally means 'uncuttable' (a - tomos (not cuttable) – tomos a conjugate of the Greek verb temnein (to cut)).
References to the concept of atoms date back to ancient India and ancient Greece. In India the Jain[2] [3] , Ajivika and
Carvaka schools of atomism may date back to the 6th century BCE. [4] The Nyaya and Vaisheshika schools later
developed theories on how atoms combined into more complex objects.[5] In the West, the references to atoms
emerged in the 5th century BCE with Leucippus, and Democritus.[6] Whether Indian culture influenced Greek or
vice versa or whether both evolved independently is a matter of dispute. [7]
Of importance to the philosophical concept of atomism is the historical accident that the particles which chemists
and physicists of the early 19th century thought were indivisible, and therefore identified with the uncuttable a-toms
of long tradition, were found in the 20th century to be composed of even smaller entities: electrons, neutrons, and
protons. Further experiments showed that protons and neutrons are made of quarks. At present, quarks, electrons,
and other fundamental particles such as muons, taus, neutrinos, and gauge bosons show no experimental evidence of
size or substructure. However, the possibility that they too might be composed of smaller particles cannot be ruled
out. Although the connection to historical atomism is at best tenuous, these particles, rather than chemical "atoms",
are roughly analogous to the traditional indivisible objects.
Traditional atomism in philosophy
The word atom is understood in primarily two distinct ways: firstly, by the physical sciences; secondly, by
philosophy. Atomism is traditionally associated with the latter, the traditional argument of which being that atoms
are the basic building blocks of all real, knowable matter, and make up absolutely anything that exists. Atoms are the
smallest possible division of matter, do not have physical parts, and cannot be split, cut nor in any way further
divided; they are either sizeless (point-sized) or they have a tiny size. Those that have a tiny size are called
Democritean atoms. This was the perception in Greek theories of atomism. Indian Buddhists, such as Dharmakirti
and others, also contributed to well-developed theories of atomism, and which involve momentary (instantaneous)
atoms, that flash in and out of existence . The tradition of atomism leads to the position that only atoms exist, and
there are no composite objects (objects with parts), which would mean that human bodies, clouds, planets, and
whatnot all do not exist. This consequence of atomism was openly discussed by atomists such as Democritus,
Hobbes, and perhaps even Kant (there is a debate over whether or not Kant was an atomist) among others, and it is
also called mereological nihilism or metaphysical nihilism. In contemporary philosophy, atomism is not as popular
as it has been in past times, because many contemporary philosophers are not willing to argue that only atoms exist,
wherein there are not any things like trees, etc. Simples theory is a similar theory to atomism, but where unlike
mereological nihilism, philosophers do hold that more than just atoms exist (such as cars and trees made up of the
atoms).
Atomism
123
Greek atomism
Is there an ultimate, indivisible unit of matter?
In the 5th century BC, Leucippus and his pupil Democritus proposed that all matter was composed of small
indivisible particles called atoms, in order to reconcile two conflicting schools of thought on the nature of reality. On
one side was Heraclitus, who believed that the nature of all existence is change. On the other side was Parmenides,
who believed instead that all change is illusion.
Parmenides denied the existence of motion, change and void. He believed all existence to be a single,
all-encompassing and unchanging mass (a concept known as monism), and that change and motion were mere
illusions. This conclusion, as well as the reasoning that lead to it, may indeed seem baffling to the modern empirical
mind, but Parmenides explicitly rejected sensory experience as the path to an understanding of the universe, and
instead used purely abstract reasoning. Firstly, he believed there is no such thing as void, equating it with non-being
(i.e. "if the void is, then it is not nothing; therefore it is not the void"). This in turn meant that motion is impossible,
because there is no void to move into.[8] [9] He also wrote all that is must be an indivisible unity, for if it were
manifold, then there would have to be a void that could divide it (and he did not believe the void exists). Finally, he
stated that the all encompassing Unity is unchanging, for the Unity already encompasses all that is and can be.[10]
Democritus accepted most of Parmenides' arguments, except for the idea that change is an illusion. He believed
change was real, and if it was not then at least the illusion had to be explained. He thus supported the concept of
void, and stated that the universe is made up of many Parmenidean entities that move around in the void.[8] The void
is infinite and provides the space in which the atoms can pack or scatter differently. The different possible packings
and scatterings within the void make up the shifting outlines and bulk of the objects that organisms feel, see, eat,
hear, smell, and taste. While organisms may feel hot or cold, hot and cold actually have no real existence. They are
simply sensations produced in organisms by the different packings and scatterings of the atoms in the void that
compose the object that organisms sense as being "hot" or "cold."
The work of Democritus only survives in secondhand reports, some of which are unreliable or conflicting. Much of
the best evidence of Democritus' theory of atomism is reported by Aristotle in his discussions of Democritus' and
Plato's contrasting views on the types of indivisibles composing the natural world.[11]
Geometry and atoms
Element
Polyhedron
Number of Faces
Number of Triangles
Fire
Tetrahedron
(Animation)
4
24
Air
Octahedron
(Animation)
8
48
Water
Icosahedron
(Animation)
20
120
Earth
Cube
(Animation)
6
24
Geometrical Simple Bodies According to Plato
Plato (c. 427—c. 347 BC) objected to the mechanistic purposelessness of the atomism of Democritus. He argued that
atoms just crashing into other atoms could never produce the beauty and form of the world. In the Timaeus, (28B –
29A) Plato insisted that the cosmos was not eternal but was created, although its creator framed it after an eternal,
unchanging model.
Atomism
124
One part of that creation were the four simple bodies of fire, air, water, and earth. But Plato did not consider these
corpuscles to be the most basic level of reality, for in his view they were made up of an unchanging level of reality,
which was mathematical. These simple bodies were geometric solids, the faces of which were, in turn, made up of
triangles. The square faces of the cube were each made up of four isosceles right-angled triangles and the triangular
faces of the tetrahedron, octahedron, and icosahedron were each made up of six right-angled triangles.
He postulated the geometric structure of the simple bodies of the four elements as summarized in the table to the
right. The cube, with its flat base and stability, was assigned to earth; the tetrahedron was assigned to fire because its
penetrating points and sharp edges made it mobile. The points and edges of the octahedron and icosahedron were
blunter and so these less mobile bodies were assigned to air and water. Since the simple bodies could be decomposed
into triangles, and the triangles reassembled into atoms of different elements, Plato's model offered a plausible
account of changes among the primary substances. [12] [13]
The rejection of atoms
Sometime before 330 BC Aristotle asserted that the elements of fire, air, earth, and water were not made of atoms,
but were continuous. Aristotle considered the existence of a void, which was required by atomic theories, to violate
physical principles. Change took place not by the rearrangement of atoms to make new structures, but by
transformation of matter from what it was in potential to a new actuality. (This theory is called hylomorphism.) A
piece of wet clay, when acted upon by a potter, takes on its potential to be an actual drinking mug. Aristotle has often
been criticized for rejecting atomism, but in ancient Greece the atomic theories of Democritus remained "pure
speculations, incapable of being put to any experimental test. Granted that atomism was, in the long run, to prove far
more fruitful than any qualitative theory of matter, in the short run the theory that Aristotle proposed must have
seemed in some respects more promising".[14] [15]
Later ancient atomism
Epicurus (341–270) studied atomism with Nausiphanes who had been a student of Democritus. Although Epicurus
was certain of the existence of atoms and the void, he was less sure we could adequately explain specific natural
phenomena such as earthquakes, lightning, comets, or the phases of the Moon (Lloyd 1973, 25–6). Few of Epicurus's
writings survive and those that do reflect his interest in applying Democritus's theories to assist people in taking
responsibility for themselves and for their own happiness—since he held there are no gods around that can help
them.
His ideas are also represented in the derivative works of Democritus's followers, such as Lucretius's On the Nature of
Things. These derivative works allow us to work out several segments of his theory on how the universe began its
current stage. The atoms and the void are eternal. And after collisions that shatter large objects into smaller objects,
the resulting dust, still composed of the same eternal atoms as the prior configurations of the universe, falls into a
whirling motion that draws the dust into larger objects again to begin another cycle.
Atomism and ethics
Some later philosophers attributed the idea that man created gods; the gods did not create man to Democritus. For
example, Sextus Empiricus noted:
Some people think that we arrived at the idea of gods from the remarkable things that happen in the world.
Democritus ... says that the people of ancient times were frightened by happenings in the heavens such as
thunder, lightning, ..., and thought that they were caused by gods.[16]
Three hundred years after Epicurus, Lucretius in his epic poem On the Nature of Things would depict him as the
hero who crushed the monster Religion through educating the people in what was possible in the atoms and what
was not possible in the atoms. However, Epicurus expressed a non-aggressive attitude characterized by his
statement: "The man who best knows how to meet external threats makes into one family all the creatures he can;
Atomism
and those he can not, he at any rate does not treat as aliens; and where he finds even this impossible, he avoids all
dealings, and, so far as is advantageous, excludes them from his life." [17]
The exile of atomism
While Aristotelian philosophy eclipsed the importance of the atomists, their work was still preserved and exposited
through commentaries on the works of Aristotle. In the 2nd century, Galen (AD 129–216) presented extensive
discussions of the Greek atomists, especially Epicurus, in his Aristotle commentaries. According to historian of
atomism Joshua Gregory, there was no serious work done with atomism from the time of Galen until Gassendi and
Descartes resurrected it in the 17th century; "the gap between these two 'modern naturalists' and the ancient Atomists
marked "the exile of the atom" and "it is universally admitted that the Middle Ages had abandoned Atomism, and
virtually lost it." However, scholars still had Aristotle's critiques of atomism, and it seems unlikely that all ideas of
atomism could have been lost in the West. In the Medieval universities there were rare expressions of atomistic
philosophy. For example, in the 14th century Nicholas of Autrecourt considered that matter, space, and time were all
made up of indivisible atoms, points, and instants and that all generation and corruption took place by the
rearrangement of material atoms. The similarities of his ideas with those of al-Ghazali suggest that Nicholas may
have been familiar with Ghazali's work, perhaps through Averroes' refutation of it (Marmara, 1973–74).
Still, "the exile of the atom" is an appropriate description of the interim between the ancient Greeks and the revival
of Western atomism in the 16th century, in view of atomism's success elsewhere during that time. If the atom was in
exile from the west, it was in India and Islam that atomistic traditions continued.
Indian atomism
The Indian atomistic position, like many movements in Indian Philosophy and Mathematics, starts with an argument
from Linguistics. The Vedic etymologist and grammarian Yaska (ca. 7th c. BC) in his Nirukta, in dealing with
models for how linguistic structures get to have their meanings, takes the atomistic position that words are the
"primary" carrier of meaning – i.e. words have a preferred ontological status in defining meaning. This position was
to be the subject of a fierce debate in the Indian tradition from the early Christian era till the 18th century, involving
different philosophers from the Nyaya, Mimamsa and Buddhist schools.
In the pratishakhya text (ca. 2nd c. BCE), the gist of the controversy was stated cryptically in the sutra form as
"saMhitA pada-prakr^tiH".[18] According to the atomist view, the words (pada) would be the primary elements
(prakrti) out of which the sentence is constructed, while the holistic view considers the sentence as the primary
entity, originally "given" in its context of utterance, and the words are arrived at only through analysis and
abstraction.[19]
These two positions came to be called a-kShaNDa-pakSha (indivisibility or sentence-holism), a position developed
later by Bhartrihari (c. 500 AD), vs. kShaNDa-pakSha (atomism), a position adopted by the Mimamsa and Nyaya
schools (Note: kShanDa = fragmented; "a-kShanDa" = whole).
Between the 5th and 3rd century BC, the atom (anu or aṇor) is mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 8, Verse 9):
kaviḿ purāṇam anuśāsitāram aṇor aṇīyāḿsam anusmared yaḥ sarvasya dhātāram acintya-rūpam āditya-varṇaḿ
tamasaḥ parastāt
One meditates on the omniscient, primordial, the controller, smaller than the atom, yet the maintainer of everything;
whose form is inconceivable, resplendent like the sun and totally transcendental to material nature
The ancient "shAshvata-vAda" doctrine of eternalism, which held that elements are eternal, is also suggestive of a
possible starting point for atomism (Gangopadhyaya 1981).
There has been some debate among scholars as to the origin of Indian atomism; the general consensus is that the
Indian and Greek versions of atomism developed independently. However, there is some doubt on this, given the
similarities between Indian atomism and Greek atomism and the proximity of India to scholastic Europe, as well as
125
Atomism
126
the account, related by Diogenes Laertius, of Democritus "making acquaintance with the Gymnosophists in
India".[20] The atomist position had transcended language into epistemology by the time that Nyaya–Vaisesika,
Buddhist and Jaina theology were developing mature philosophical positions.
Will Durant wrote in Our Oriental Heritage:
"Two systems of Indian thought propound physical theories suggestively similar to those of Greece. Kanada,
founder of the Vaisheshika philosophy, held that the world was composed of atoms as many in kind as the
various elements. The Jains more nearly approximated to Democritus by teaching that all atoms were of the
same kind, producing different effects by diverse modes of combinations. Kanada believed light and heat to be
varieties of the same substance; Udayana taught that all heat comes from the sun; and Vachaspati, like
Newton, interpreted light as composed of minute particles emitted by substances and striking the eye."
Indian atomism in the Middle Ages was still mostly philosophical and/or religious in intent, though it was also
scientific. Because the "infallible Vedas", the oldest Hindu texts, do not mention atoms (though they do mention
elements), atomism was not orthodox in many schools of Hindu philosophy, although accommodationist
interpretations or assumptions of lost text justified the use of atomism for non-orthodox schools of Hindu thought.
The Buddhist and Jaina schools of atomism however, were more willing to accept the ideas of atomism.
Nyaya–Vaisesika school
The Nyaya–Vaisesika school developed one of the earliest forms of atomism; scholars date the Nyaya and Vaisesika
texts from the 6th to 1st centuries BC. Like the Buddhist atomists, the Vaisesika had a pseudo-Aristotelian theory of
atomism. They posited the four elemental atom types, but in Vaisesika physics atoms had 24 different possible
qualities, divided between general extensive properties and specific (intensive) properties. Like the Jaina school, the
Nyaya–Vaisesika atomists had elaborate theories of how atoms combine. In both Jaina and Vaisesika atomism,
atoms first combine in pairs (dyads), and then group into trios of pairs (triads), which are the smallest visible units of
matter.[21]
Buddhist school
The Buddhist atomists had very qualitative, Aristotelian-style atomic theory. According to ancient Buddhist
atomism, which probably began developing before the 4th century BC, there are four kinds of atoms, corresponding
to the standard elements. Each of these elements has a specific property, such as solidity or motion, and performs a
specific function in mixtures, such as providing support or causing growth. Like the Hindu Jains, the Buddhists were
able to integrate a theory of atomism with their theological presuppositions. Later Indian Buddhist philosophers,
such as Dharmakirti and Dignāga, considered atoms to be point-sized, durationless, and made of energy.
Jaina school
The most elaborate and well-preserved Indian theory of atomism comes from the philosophy of the Jaina school,
dating back to at least the 6th century BC. Some of the Jain texts that refer to matter and atoms are Pancastikayasara,
Kalpasutra, Tattvarthasutra and Pannavana Suttam. The Jains envisioned the world as consisting wholly of atoms,
except for souls. Paramāņus or atoms were considered as the basic building blocks of all matter. Their concept of
atoms was very similar to classical atomism, differing primarily in the specific properties of atoms. Each atom,
according to Jain philosophy, has one kind of taste, one smell, one color, and two kinds of touch, though it is unclear
what was meant by "kind of touch". Atoms can exist in one of two states: subtle, in which case they can fit in
infinitesimally small spaces, and gross, in which case they have extension and occupy a finite space. Certain
characteristics of Paramāņu correspond with that sub-atomic particles. For example Paramāņu is characterized by
continuous motion either in a straight line or in case of attractions from other Paramāņus, it follows a curved path.
This corresponds with the description of orbit of electrons across the Nucleus. Ultimate particles are also described
as particles with positive (Snigdha i.e. smooth charge) and negative (Rūksa – rough) charges that provide them the
Atomism
binding force. Although atoms are made of the same basic substance, they can combine based on their eternal
properties to produce any of six "aggregates", which seem to correspond with the Greek concept of "elements":
earth, water, shadow, sense objects, karmic matter, and unfit matter. To the Jains, karma was real, but was a
naturalistic, mechanistic phenomenon caused by buildups of subtle karmic matter within the soul. They also had
detailed theories of how atoms could combine, react, vibrate, move, and perform other actions, all of which were
thoroughly deterministic.
Islamic atomism
Atomistic philosophies are found very early in Islamic philosophy, and represent a synthesis of the Greek and Indian
ideas. Like both the Greek and Indian versions, Islamic atomism was a charged topic that had the potential for
conflict with the prevalent religious orthodoxy, but it was instead more often favoured by orthodox Islamic
theologians. It was such a fertile and flexible idea that, as in Greece and India, it flourished in some leading schools
of Islamic thought.
Asharite atomism
The most successful form of Islamic atomism was in the Asharite school of Islamic theology, most notably in the
work of the theologian al-Ghazali (1058–1111). In Asharite atomism, atoms are the only perpetual, material things in
existence, and all else in the world is "accidental" meaning something that lasts for only an instant. Nothing
accidental can be the cause of anything else, except perception, as it exists for a moment. Contingent events are not
subject to natural physical causes, but are the direct result of God's constant intervention, without which nothing
could happen. Thus nature is completely dependent on God, which meshes with other Asharite Islamic ideas on
causation, or the lack thereof (Gardet 2001). Al-Ghazali also used the theory to support his theory of occasionalism.
In a sense, the Asharite theory of atomism has far more in common with Indian atomism than it does with Greek
atomism.[22]
Averroism
Other traditions in Islam rejected the atomism of the Asharites and expounded on many Greek texts, especially those
of Aristotle. An active school of philosophers in Spain, including the noted commentator Averroes (AD 1126–1198)
explicitly rejected the thought of al-Ghazali and turned to an extensive evaluation of the thought of Aristotle.
Averroes commented in detail on most of the works of Aristotle and his commentaries did much to guide the
interpretation of Aristotle in later Jewish and Christian scholastic thought.
Atomic renaissance
With few exceptions, much of the curriculum in the universities of Europe was based on Aristotle for most of the
Middle Ages (Kargon 1966). Scholasticism was standard science in the time of Isaac Newton, but in the 17th
century, a renewed interest in Epicurian atomism and Corpuscularianism as a hybrid or an alternative to Aristotelian
physics had begun to mount outside the classroom. The main figures in the rebirth of atomism were René Descartes,
Pierre Gassendi, and Robert Boyle, as well as other notable figures.
One of the first groups of atomists in England was a cadre of amateur scientists known as the Northumberland circle,
led by Henry Percy (1585–1632), the 9th Earl of Northumberland. Although they published little of account, they
helped to disseminate atomistic ideas among the burgeoning scientific culture of England, and may have been
particularly influential to Francis Bacon, who became an atomist around 1605, though he later rejected some of the
claims of atomism. Though they revived the classical form of atomism, this group was among the scientific
avant-garde: the Northumberland circle contained nearly half of the confirmed Copernicans prior to 1610 (the year of
Galileo's The Starry Messenger). Other influential atomists of late 16th and early 17th centuries include Giordano
127
Atomism
Bruno, Thomas Hobbes (who also changed his stance on atomism late in his career), and Thomas Hariot. A number
of different atomistic theories were blossoming in France at this time, as well (Clericuzio 2000).
Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) was an advocate of atomism in his 1612, Discourse on Floating Bodies (Redondi 1969).
In The Assayer, Galileo offered a more complete physical system based on a corpuscular theory of matter, in which
all phenomena—with the exception of sound—are produced by "matter in motion". Galileo identified some basic
problems with Aristotelian physics through his experiments. He utilized a theory of atomism as a partial
replacement, but he was never unequivocally committed to it. For example, his experiments with falling bodies and
inclined planes led him to the concepts of circular inertial motion and accelerating free-fall. The current Aristotelian
theories of impetus and terrestrial motion were inadequate to explain these. While atomism did not explain the law of
fall either, it was a more promising framework in which to develop an explanation because motion was conserved in
ancient atomism (unlike Aristotelian physics).
René Descartes' (1596–1650) "mechanical" philosophy of corpuscularism had much in common with atomism, and
is considered, in some senses, to be a different version of it. Descartes thought everything physical in the universe to
be made of tiny vortices of matter. Like the ancient atomists, Descartes claimed that sensations, such as taste or
temperature, are caused by the shape and size of tiny pieces of matter. The main difference between atomism and
Descartes' concept was the existence of the void. For him, there could be no vacuum, and all matter was constantly
swirling to prevent a void as corpuscles moved through other matter. Another key distinction between Descartes'
view and classical atomism is the mind/body duality of Descartes, which allowed for an independent realm of
existence for thought, soul, and most importantly, God. Gassendi's concept was closer to classical atomism, but with
no atheistic overtone.
Pierre Gassendi (1592–1655) was a Catholic priest from France who was also an avid natural philosopher. He was
particularly intrigued by the Greek atomists, so he set out to "purify" atomism from its heretical and atheistic
philosophical conclusions (Dijksterhius 1969). Gassendi formulated his atomistic conception of mechanical
philosophy partly in response to Descartes; he particularly opposed Descartes' reductionist view that only purely
mechanical explanations of physics are valid, as well as the application of geometry to the whole of physics
(Clericuzio 2000).
Corpuscularianism
Corpuscularianism is similar to atomism, except that where atoms were supposed to be indivisible, corpuscles could
in principle be divided. In this manner, for example, it was theorized that mercury could penetrate into metals and
modify their inner structure, a step on the way towards transmutative production of gold. Corpuscularianism was
associated by its leading proponents with the idea that some of the properties that objects appear to have are artifacts
of the perceiving mind: 'secondary' qualities as distinguished from 'primary' qualities.[23] Corpuscularianism stayed a
dominant theory over the next several hundred years and was blended with alchemy by those such as Robert Boyle
and Isaac Newton in the 17th century.[24] [25] It was used by Newton, for instance, in his development of the
corpuscular theory of light. The form that came to be accepted by most English scientists after Robert Boyle
(1627–1692) was an amalgam of the systems of Descartes and Gassendi. In The Sceptical Chymist (1661), Boyle
demonstrates problems that arise from chemistry, and offers up atomism as a possible explanation. The unifying
principle that would eventually lead to the acceptance of a hybrid corpuscular–atomism was mechanical philosophy,
which became widely accepted by physical sciences.
128
Atomism
129
Atomic theory
By the late 18th century, the useful practices of engineering and technology began to influence philosophical
explanations for the composition of matter. Those who speculated on the ultimate nature of matter began to verify
their "thought experiments" with some repeatable demonstrations, when they could.
Roger Boscovich provided the first general mathematical theory of atomism, based on the ideas of Newton and
Leibniz but transforming them so as to provide a programme for atomic physics. – Lancelot Law Whyte Essay on
Atomism, 1961, p 54.
In 1808, John Dalton assimilated the known experimental work of many people to summarize the empirical evidence
on the composition of matter. He noticed that distilled water everywhere analyzed to the same elements, hydrogen
and oxygen. Similarly, other purified substances decomposed to the same elements in the same proportions by
weight.
Therefore we may conclude that the ultimate particles of all homogeneous bodies are perfectly alike in weight,
figure, etc. In other words, every particle of water is like every other particle of water; every particle of
hydrogen is like every other particle of hydrogen, etc.
Furthermore, he concluded that there was a unique atom for each element, using Lavoisier's definition of an element
as a substance that could not be analyzed into something simpler. Thus, Dalton concluded the following.
Chemical analysis and synthesis go no farther than to the separation of particles one from another, and to
their reunion. No new creation or destruction of matter is within the reach of chemical agency. We might as
well attempt to introduce a new planet into the solar system, or to annihilate one already in existence, as to
create or destroy a particle of hydrogen. All the changes we can produce, consist in separating particles that
are in a state of cohesion or combination, and joining those that were previously at a distance.
And then he proceeded to give a list of relative weights in the compositions of several common compounds,
summarizing: [26]
1st. That water is a binary compound of hydrogen and oxygen, and the relative weights of the two elementary
atoms are as 1:7, nearly;
2nd. That ammonia is a binary compound of hydrogen and azote nitrogen, and the relative weights of the two
atoms are as 1:5, nearly...
Dalton concluded that the fixed proportions of elements by weight suggested that the atoms of one element
combined with only a limited number of atoms of the other elements to form the substances that he listed.
External links
• Dictionary of the History of Ideas: [27] Atomism: Antiquity to the Seventeenth Century
• Dictionary of the History of Ideas: [28] Atomism in the Seventeenth Century
• Jonathan Schaffer, "Is There a Fundamental Level?" Nous 37 (2003): 498-517.[29] Article by a philosopher who
opposes atomism
• Article on traditional Greek atomism [30]
• Atomism from the 17th to the 20th Century [31] at Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy [32]
Atomism
Notes
[1] Berryman, Sylvia, "Ancient Atomism", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2008 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), http:/ / plato.
stanford. edu/ archives/ fall2008/ entries/ atomism-ancient/
[2] Gangopadhyaya, Mrinalkanti (1981). Indian Atomism: History and Sources. Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey: Humanities Press.
ISBN 0-391-02177-X. OCLC 10916778.
[3] Iannone, A. Pablo (2001). Dictionary of World Philosophy (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?vid=ISBN0415179955& pg=PA83).
Routledge. pp. 83,356. ISBN 0415179955. OCLC 44541769. .
[4] Thomas McEvilley, The Shape of Ancient Thought: Comparative Studies in Greek and Indian Philosophies ISBN 1-58115-203-5, Allwarth
Press, 2002, p. 317-321.
[5] Richard King, Indian philosophy: an introduction to Hindu and Buddhist thought, , Edinburgh University Press, 1999, ISBN 0748609547, pp.
105-107.
[6] The atomists, Leucippus and Democritus: fragments, a text and translation with a commentary by C.C.W. Taylor, University of Toronto Press
Incorporated 1999, ISBN 0-8020-4390-9, pp. 157-158.
[7] Teresi, Dick (2003). Lost Discoveries: The Ancient Roots of Modern Science (http:/ / books. google. com/ ?id=pheL_ubbXD0C& pg=PA213).
Simon & Schuster. pp. 213–214. ISBN 074324379X. .
[8] Andrew G. van Melsen (1952). From Atomos to Atom. Mineola, N.Y.: Dover Publications. ISBN 0486495841.
[9] Bertrand Russel (1946). History of Western Philosophy. London: Routledge. p. 75. ISBN 0415325056.
[10] Andrew G. van Melsen. (1952). From Atomos to Atom: The History and Concept of the Atom. Dover Phoenix Editions. ISBN
0-486-49584-1
[11] Berryman, Sylvia, "Democritus", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2008 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), http:/ / plato.
stanford. edu/ archives/ fall2008/ entries/ democritus
[12] Lloyd, Geoffrey (1970). Early Greek Science: Thales to Aristotle. London; New York: Chatto and Windus; W. W. Norton & Company.
pp. 74–77. ISBN 0-393-00583-6.
[13] Cornford, Francis Macdonald (1957). Plato's Cosmology: The Timaeus of Plato. New York: Liberal Arts Press. pp. 210–239.
ISBN 0872203867.
[14] Lloyd, Geoffrey (1968). Aristotle: The Growth and Structure of his Thought. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 165.
ISBN 0-521-09456-9.
[15] Lloyd, Geoffrey (1970). Early Greek Science: Thales to Aristotle. London; New York: Chatto and Windus; W. W. Norton & Company.
pp. 108–109. ISBN 0-393-00583-6.
[16] Taylor, C. C. W. (1999). The Atomists, Leucippus and Democritus: a text and translation with commentary by C. C. W. Taylor. Toronto;
Buffalo: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-4390-9.
[17] http:/ / www. epicurus. net/ en/ principal. html
[18] Bimal Krishna Matilal (1990). The word and the world: India's contribution to the study of language. Oxford. Yaska is dealt with in Chapter
3. ISBN 0195625153.
[19] McEvilley (2002), 317–320
[20] Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Philosophers, ix, 35.
[21] Teresi, Dick (2003). Lost Discoveries: The Ancient Roots of Modern Science (http:/ / books. google. com/ ?id=pheL_ubbXD0C& dq).
Simon & Schuster. pp. 213–214. ISBN 074324379X. .
[22] Shlomo Pines (1986). Studies in Arabic versions of Greek texts and in mediaeval science. 2. Brill Publishers. pp. 355–6. ISBN 9652236268
[23] The Mechanical Philosophy (http:/ / www. vernonpratt. com/ conceptualisations/ d06bl2_1mechanical. htm) - Early modern 'atomism'
("corpuscularianism" as it was known)
[24] Levere, Trevor, H. (2001). Transforming Matter – A History of Chemistry for Alchemy to the Buckyball. The Johns Hopkins University
Press. ISBN 0-8018-6610-3.
[25] Corpuscularianism (http:/ / www. philosophypages. com/ dy/ c9. htm) - Philosophical Dictionary
[26] http:/ / webserver. lemoyne. edu/ faculty/ giunta/ dalton. html
[27] http:/ / xtf. lib. virginia. edu/ xtf/ view?docId=DicHist/ uvaBook/ tei/ DicHist1. xml;chunk. id=dv1-21
[28] http:/ / xtf. lib. virginia. edu/ xtf/ view?docId=DicHist/ uvaBook/ tei/ DicHist1. xml;chunk. id=dv1-22
[29] http:/ / people. umass. edu/ schaffer/ papers/ Fundamental. pdf
[30] http:/ / plato. stanford. edu/ entries/ democritus/
[31] http:/ / plato. stanford. edu/ entries/ atomism-modern/
[32] http:/ / plato. stanford. edu/
130
Atomism
References
• Clericuzio, Antonio. Elements, Principles, and Corpuscles; a study of atomism and chemistry in the seventeenth
century. Dordrecht; Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2000.
• Cornford, Francis MacDonald. Plato's Cosmology: The Timaeus of Plato. New York: Liberal Arts Press, 1957.
• Dijksterhuis, E. The Mechanization of the World Picture. Trans. by C. Dikshoorn. New York: Oxford University
Press, 1969. ISBN 0-691-02396-4
• Firth, Raymond. Religion: A Humanist Interpretation. Routledge, 1996. ISBN 0-415-12897-8.
• Gangopadhyaya, Mrinalkanti. Indian Atomism: history and sources. Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey: Humanities
Press, 1981. ISBN 0-391-02177-X
• Gardet, L. "djuz'" in Encyclopaedia of Islam CD-ROM Edition, v. 1.1. Leiden: Brill, 2001.
• Gregory, Joshua C. A Short History of Atomism. London: A. and C. Black, Ltd, 1981.
• Kargon, Robert Hugh. Atomism in England from Hariot to Newton. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1966.
• Lloyd, G. E. R. Aristotle: The Growth and Structure of his Thought. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
1968. ISBN 0-521-09456-9
• Lloyd, G. E. R. Greek Science After Aristotle. New York: W. W. Norton, 1973. ISBN 0-393-00780-4
• Marmara, Michael E. "Causation in Islamic Thought." Dictionary of the History of Ideas. New York: Charles
Scribner's Sons, 1973-74. online at the of Virginia Electronic Text Center (http://etext.virginia.edu/cgi-local/
DHI/dhi.cgi?id=dv1-39|University).
• Redondi, Pietro. Galileo Heretic. Translated by Raymond Rosenthal. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press,
1987. ISBN 0-691-02426-X
• McEvilley, Thomas (2002). The Shape of Ancient Thought: Comparative Studies in Greek and Indian
Philosophies. New York: Allworth Communications Inc. ISBN 1581152035.
131
Leucippus
132
Leucippus
Leucippus
Leucippus
Full name
Leucippus
Born
Early 5th century BCAbdera or Miletus
Died
5th century BC
Era
Region
Western Philosophy
School
Pre-Socratic philosophy: Atomism, Materialism
Main interests Metaphysics
Notable ideas
Atomism
Leucippus or Leukippos (Greek: Λεύκιππος, first half of 5th century BC) was one of the earliest Greeks to develop
the theory of atomism — the idea that everything is composed entirely of various imperishable, indivisible elements
called atoms — which was elaborated in greater detail by his pupil and successor, Democritus. A possible earlier
candidate for atomism is Mochus of Sidon, from the Trojan War era (13th or 12th century BCE)[1] [2] [3]
He was most likely born in Miletus,[4] although Abdera and Elea are also mentioned as possible birth-places.[5]
Overview
Leucippus was a shadowy figure, as his dates are not recorded and he is often mentioned in conjunction with his
more well-known pupil Democritus, who replaced indeterminism with determinism as the ontological cause of
atomic movement. It is therefore difficult to determine which contributions come from Democritus and which come
from Leucippus.
In his Corpus Democriteum,[6] Thrasyllus of Alexandria, an astrologer and writer living under the emperor Tiberius
(14-37 CE) compiled a list of writings traditionally attributed to Democritus to the exclusion of Leucippus.
Leucippus was an Ionian Greek (Ionia, now part of western Turkey), as was Anaxagoras. And he was a
contemporary of Zeno of Elea and Empedocles (Magna Graecia, now part of southern Italy). He belonged to the
same Ionian School of naturalistic philosophy as Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, and he was interested in reality
and not idealism as the Italic Eleatics were. Later stories about the influence of Zeno have been questioned by
modern studies, also because the ontological conception of being of the Eleatics is static, monistic and deterministic,
while Leucippus' is dynamic, pluralistic and indeterministic.
Around 440 or 430 BC Leucippus founded a school at Abdera, which his pupil, Democritus, was closely associated
with.[7] His fame was so completely overshadowed by that of Democritus, who systematized his views on atoms,
Leucippus
that Epicurus doubted his very existence.[8]
However, Aristotle and Theophrastus explicitly credit Leucippus with the invention of Atomism. Leucippus agreed
with the Eleatic argument that true being does not admit of vacuum, and there can be no movement in the absence of
vacuum. Leucippus contended that since movement exists, there has to be vacuum. However, he concludes that
vacuum is identified with non-being, since it cannot really be. Leucippus differed from the Eleatics in not being
encumbered by the conceptual intermingling of being and non-being. Plato made the necessary distinction between
grades of being and types of negation.[7]
The most famous among Leucippus' lost works were titled Megas Diakosmos (The Great Order of the Universe or
The great world-system and is not to confuse with Micros Diakosmos (Little Cosmology) of Democritus [9] ) and
Peri Nou (On mind[10]
Fragments and doxographical reports about Leucippus were collected by Hermann Diels (1848–1922), firstly in
Doxographi Graeci (Berlin, 1879, reprint Berlin: de Gruyter, 1929) and then in Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker
(Berlin, 1903, 6th ed., rev. by Walther Kranz (Berlin: Weidmann, 1952; the editions after the 6th are mainly reprints
with little or no change.) The probably true fragment of Leucippus is the Great Cosmology fragment that says: "The
cosmos, then, became like a spherical form in this way: the atoms being submitted to a casual and unpredictable
movement, quickly and incessantly." (24, I, 1)
Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
http:/ / ancienthistory. about. com/ od/ presocraticphiloso/ p/ Atomism. htm
http:/ / www. ancientlibrary. com/ smith-bio/ 2215. html
http:/ / plato. stanford. edu/ entries/ atomism-ancient/
The Cambridge Companion to Early Greek Philosophy, pg. xxiii. Note that Democritus was a resident of Abdera. Some said Leucippus from
Elea, perhaps since he was unsuitably associated with the Eleatic philosophers.
[5] Diogenes Laërtius says "Leucippus was born at Elea, but some say at Abdera and others at Miletus," Diogenes Laërtius, ix. 30. Simplicius
refers to him as "Leucippus of Elea or Miletus," Simplicius, Physica, 28, 4
[6] Jonathan Barnes, Early Greek Philosophy, 1987
[7] Leucippus, in The Presocratics, Philip Wheelwright ed., The Odyssey Press, 1966, pg. 177.
[8] Diogenes Laërtius x. 7
[9] The Cambridge Companion to Early Greek Philosophy, pg. xxiii
[10] Stobaeus, i. 4. 7c
References
• A. A. Long (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Early Greek Philosophy (pgs. xxiii, 185)
• Diels-Kranz, Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker [I] 67A
• Diogenes Laërtius, Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, IX.30-33
External links
• Leucippus (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/leucippus) entry by Sylvia Berryman in the Stanford Encyclopedia
of Philosophy
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Leucippus, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
133
Democritus
134
Democritus
Democritus
Democritus
Full name
Democritus
Born
ca. 460 BCAbdera, Thrace
Died
ca. 370 BC (Aged 90)
Era
Region
Western Philosophy
School
Main interests metaphysics / mathematics / astronomy
Notable ideas
atomism, distant star theory
Democritus (Greek: Δημόκριτος, Dēmokritos, "chosen of the people") (ca. 460 BC – ca. 370 BC) was an Ancient
Greek philosopher born in Abdera, Thrace, Greece.[1] He was an influential pre-Socratic philosopher and pupil of
Leucippus, who formulated an atomic theory for the cosmos.[2]
His exact contributions are difficult to disentangle from his mentor Leucippus, as they are often mentioned together
in texts. Their speculation on atoms, taken from Leucippus, bears a passing and partial resemblance to the
nineteenth-century understanding of atomic structure that has led some to regard Democritus as more of a scientist
than other Greek philosophers; nevertheless their ideas rested on very different bases.[3] Largely ignored in ancient
Athens, Democritus was nevertheless well-known to his fellow northern-born philosopher Aristotle. Plato is said to
have disliked him so much that he wished all his books burned.[1] Many consider Democritus to be the "father of
modern science".[4]
Life
Democritus was born in the city of Abdera in Thrace, an Ionian colony of Teos,[5] although some called him a
Milesian.[6] He was born in the 80th Olympiad (460–457 BC) according to Apollodorus,[7] and although Thrasyllus
placed his birth in 470 BC,[7] the later date is probably more likely.[8] John Burnet has argued that the date of 460 is
"too early", since according to Diogenes Laërtius ix.41, Democritus said that he was a "young man (neos)" during
Anaxagoras' old age (circa 440–428).[9] It was said that Democritus' father was so wealthy that he received Xerxes
on his march through Abdera. Democritus spent the inheritance which his father left him on travels into distant
countries, to satisfy his thirst for knowledge. He traveled to Asia, and was even said to have reached India and
Ethiopia.[10] We know that he wrote on Babylon and Meroe; he must also have visited Egypt, and Diodorus Siculus
states that he lived there for five years.[11] He himself declared[12] that among his contemporaries none had made
greater journeys, seen more countries, and met more scholars than himself. He particularly mentions the Egyptian
Democritus
mathematicians, whose knowledge he praises. Theophrastus, too, spoke of him as a man who had seen many
countries.[13] During his travels, according to Diogenes Laërtius, he became acquainted with the Chaldean magi. A
certain "Ostanes", one of the magi accompanying Xerxes was also said to have taught him.[14]
After returning to his native land he occupied himself with natural philosophy. He traveled throughout Greece to
acquire a knowledge of its culture. He mentions many Greek philosophers in his writings, and his wealth enabled
him to purchase their writings. Leucippus, the founder of the atomism, was the greatest influence upon him. He also
praises Anaxagoras.[15] Diogenes Laertius says that he was friends with Hippocrates.[16] He may have been
acquainted with Socrates, but Plato does not mention him and Democritus himself is quoted as saying, "I came to
Athens and no one knew me."[17] Aristotle placed him among the pre-Socratic natural philosophers.[18]
The many anecdotes about Democritus, especially in Diogenes Laërtius, attest to his disinterest, modesty, and
simplicity, and show that he lived exclusively for his studies. One story has him deliberately blinding himself in
order to be less disturbed in his pursuits;[19] it may well be true that he lost his sight in old age. He was cheerful, and
was always ready to see the comical side of life, which later writers took to mean that he always laughed at the
foolishness of people.[20]
He was highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens, "because," as Diogenes Laërtius says, "he had foretold them some
things which events proved to be true," which may refer to his knowledge of natural phenomena. According to
Diodorus Siculus,[21] Democritus died at the age of 90, which would put his death around 370 BC, but other writers
have him living to 104,[22] or even 109.[23]
Popularly known as the Laughing Philosopher (for laughing at human follies), the terms Abderitan laughter, which
means scoffing, incessant laughter, and Abderite, which means a scoffer, are derived from Democritus.[24] To his
fellow citizens he was also known as "The Mocker".
Philosophy and science
Democritus followed in the tradition of Leucippus, who seems to have come from Miletus, and he carried on the
scientific rationalist philosophy associated with that city. They were both strict determinists and thorough
materialists, believing everything to be the result of natural laws. Unlike Aristotle or Plato, the atomists attempted to
explain the world without reasoning to purpose, prime mover, or final cause. For the atomists questions should be
answered with a mechanistic explanation ("What earlier circumstances caused this event?"), while their opponents
search for explanations which, in addition to the material and mechanistic, also included the formal and teleological
("What purpose did this event serve?"). Modern science has focused on mechanistic questions, which have led to
scientific knowledge, especially in physics, while teleological questions can be useful in biology, in adaptationist
reasoning at providing proximate explanations, though the deeper evolutionary explanations are often held to be
thoroughly mechanistic. The atomists looked exclusively for mechanistic questions, and only admitted mechanistic
answers. Their successors until the Renaissance became occupied with the teleological question, which arguably
hindered progress.[25]
135
Democritus
136
Atomic hypothesis
The theory of Democritus and Leucippus held that everything is composed of
"atoms", which are physically, but not geometrically, indivisible; that
between atoms lies empty space; that atoms are indestructible; have always
been, and always will be, in motion; that there are an infinite number of
atoms, and kinds of atoms, which differ in shape, and size. Of the mass of
atoms, Democritus said "The more any indivisible exceeds, the heavier it is."
But his exact position on weight of atoms is disputed.[1]
Democritus meditating on the seat of the
soul by Léon-Alexandre Delhomme,
1868
Leucippus is widely credited with being the first to develop the theory of
atomism, although Isaac Newton preferred to credit the obscure Moschus the
Phoenician (whom he believed to be the biblical Moses) as the inventor of the
idea on the authority of Posidonius and Strabo.[26] The Stanford Encyclopedia
of Philosophy notes, "This theologically motivated view does not seem to
claim much historical evidence, however."[27]
Democritus, along with Leucippus and Epicurus, proposed the earliest views
on the shapes and connectivity of atoms. They reasoned that the solidness of the material corresponded to the shape
of the atoms involved. Thus, iron atoms are solid and strong with hooks that lock them into a solid; water atoms are
smooth and slippery; salt atoms, because of their taste, are sharp and pointed; and air atoms are light and whirling,
pervading all other materials.[28] Democritus was the main proponent of this view. Using analogies from our sense
experiences, he gave a picture or an image of an atom that distinguished them from each other by their shape, their
size, and the arrangement of their parts. Moreover, connections were explained by material links in which single
atoms were supplied with attachments: some with hooks and eyes others with balls and sockets.[29] The Democritean
atom is an inert solid (merely excluding other bodies from its volume) that interacts with other atoms mechanically.
In contrast, modern, quantum-mechanical atoms interact via electric and magnetic force fields and are far from inert.
The theory of the atomists appears to be more nearly aligned with that of modern science than any other theory of
antiquity. However, the similarity with modern concepts of science can be confusing when trying to understand
where the hypothesis came from. It is obvious that classical atomists would never have had a solid empirical basis
for our modern concepts of atoms and molecules. Russell [30] states that they just hit on a lucky hypothesis, only
recently confirmed by evidence.
However Lucretius, describing atomism in his de rerum natura gives very clear and compelling empirical arguments
for the original atomist theory. He observes that any material is subject to irreversible decay. Through time, even
hard rocks are slowly worn down by drops of water. Things have the tendency to get mixed up: mix water with soil
and you get mud, that will usually not un-mix by itself. Wood decays. However, we see in nature and technology
that there are mechanisms to recreate 'pure' materials like water, air, metals. The seed of an oak will grow out into an
oak tree, made of similar wood as historical oak trees, the wood of which has already decayed. The conclusion is that
many properties of materials must derive from something inside, that will itself never decay, something that stores
for eternity the same inherent, indivisible properties. The basic question is: why has everything in the world not yet
decayed, and how can exactly the same materials, plants, animals be recreated again and again? One obvious
solution to explain how indivisible properties can be conveyed in a way not easily visible to human senses, is to
hypothesise the existence of 'atoms'. These classical 'atoms' are nearer to our modern concept of 'molecule' than to
the atoms of modern science. The other big point of classical atomism is that there must be a lot of open space
between these 'atoms': the void. Lucretius gives reasonable arguments that the void is absolutely necessary to explain
how gasses and fluids can change shape, flow, while metals can be molded, without changing the basic material
properties.
Democritus
Void hypothesis
The atomistic void hypothesis was a response to the paradoxes of Parmenides and Zeno, the founders of
metaphysical logic, who put forth difficult to answer arguments in favor of the idea that there can be no movement.
They held that any movement would require a void—which is nothing—but a nothing cannot exist. The
Parmenidean position was "You say there 'is' a void; therefore the void is not nothing; therefore there is not the
void." The position of Parmenides appeared validated by the observation that where there seems to be nothing there
is air, and indeed even where there is not matter there is something, for instance light waves.
The atomists agreed that motion required a void, but simply ignored the argument of Parmenides on the grounds that
motion was an observable fact. Therefore, they asserted, there must be a void. This idea survived in a refined version
as Newton's theory of absolute space, which met the logical requirements of attributing reality to not-being.
Einstein's theory of relativity provided a new answer to Parmenides and Zeno, with the insight that space by itself is
relative and cannot be separated from time as part of a generally curved space-time manifold. Consequently,
Newton's refinement is now considered superfluous.[31]
Epistemology
The knowledge of truth according to Democritus is difficult, since the perception through the senses is subjective. As
from the same senses derive different impressions for each individual, then through the sense-impressions we cannot
judge the truth. We can only interpret the sense data through the intellect and grasp the truth, because the truth
(aletheia) is at the bottom (en bythoe).
“And again, many of the other animals receive impressions contrary to ours; and even to the senses of each
individual, things do not always seem the same. Which then, of these impressions are true and which are false
is not obvious; for the one set is no more true than the other, but both are alike. And this is why Democritus, at
any rate, says that either there is no truth or to us at least it is not evident.”[32]
“Democritus says: By convention hot, by convention cold, but in reality atoms and void, and also in reality we
know nothing, since the truth is at bottom.”[33]
There are two kinds of knowing, the one he calls “legitimate” (gnesie: genuine) and the other “bastard” (skotie:
obscure). The “bastard” knowledge is concerned with the perception through the senses, therefore it is insufficient
and subjective. The reason is that the sense-perception is due to the effluences of the atoms (aporroai) from the
objects to the senses. When these different shapes of atoms come to us, they stimulate our senses according to their
shape, and our sense-impressions arise from those stimulations.[34]
The second sort of knowledge, the “legitimate” one, can be achieved through the intellect, in other words, all the
sense-data from the “bastard” must be elaborated through reasoning. In this way one can get away from the false
perception of the “bastard” knowledge and grasp the truth through the inductive reasoning. After taking into account
the sense-impressions, one can examine the causes of the appearances, draw conclusions about the laws that govern
the appearances, and discover the causality (aetiologia) by which they are related. This is the procedure of thought
from the parts to the whole or else from the apparent to non-apparent (inductive reasoning). This is one example of
why Democritus is considered to be an early scientific thinker. The process is reminiscent of that by which science
gathers its conclusions.
“But in the Canons Democritus says there are two kinds of knowing, one through the senses and the other
through the intellect. Of these he calls the one through the intellect ‘legitimate’ attesting its trustworthiness for
the judgement of truth, and through the senses he names ‘bastard’ denying its inerrancy in the discrimination of
what is true. To quote his actual words: Of knowledge there are two forms, one legitimate, one bastard. To the
bastard belong all this group: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch. The other is legitimate and separate from that.
Then, preferring the legitimate to the bastard, he continues: When the bastard can no longer see any smaller, or
hear, or smell, or taste, or perceive by touch, but finer matters have to be examined, then comes the legitimate,
137
Democritus
since it has a finer organ of perception.”[35]
“In the Confirmations ... he says: But we in actuality grasp nothing for certain, but what shifts in accordance
with the condition of the body and of the things (atoms) which enter it and press upon it.”[36]
“Democritus used to say that 'he prefers to discover a causality rather than become a king of Persia'.”[37]
Ethics and politics
The ethics and politics of Democritus come to us mostly in the form of maxims. He says that "Equality is
everywhere noble," but he is not encompassing enough to include women or slaves in this sentiment. Poverty in a
democracy is better than prosperity under tyrants, for the same reason one is to prefer liberty over slavery. Those in
power should "take it upon themselves to lend to the poor and to aid them and to favor them, then is there pity and no
isolation but companionship and mutual defense and concord among the citizens and other good things too many to
catalogue." Money when used with sense leads to generosity and charity, while money used in folly leads to a
common expense for the whole society— excessive hoarding of money for one's children is avarice. While making
money is not useless, he says, doing so as a result of wrong-doing is the "worst of all things." He is on the whole
ambivalent towards wealth, and values it much less than self-sufficiency. He disliked violence but was not a pacifist:
he urged cities to be prepared for war, and believed that a society had the right to execute a criminal or enemy so
long as this did not violate some law, treaty, or oath.[2] [31]
Goodness, he believed, came more from practice and discipline than from innate human nature. He believed that one
should distance oneself from the wicked, stating that such association increases disposition to vice. Anger, while
difficult to control, must be mastered in order for one to be rational. Those who take pleasure from the disasters of
their neighbors fail to understand that their fortunes are tied to the society in which they live, and they rob
themselves of any joy of their own. He advocated a life of contentment with as little grief as possible, which he said
could not be achieved through either idleness or preoccupation with worldly pleasures. Contentment would be
gained, he said, through moderation and a measured life; to be content one must set their judgment on the possible
and be satisfied with what one has—giving little thought to envy or admiration. Democritus approved of
extravagance on occasion, as he held that feasts and celebrations were necessary for joy and relaxation. He considers
education to be the noblest of pursuits, but cautioned that learning without sense leads to error.[2] [31]
Mathematics
Democritus was also a pioneer of mathematics and
geometry in particular. We only know this through
citations of his works (titled On Numbers, On
Geometrics, On Tangencies, On Mapping, and On
Irrationals) in other writings, since most of
Democritus' body of work did not survive the Middle
Ages. Democritus was among the first to observe that a
cone or pyramid has one-third the volume of a cylinder
or prism respectively with the same base and height.
Also, a cone divided in a plane parallel to its base
produces two surfaces. He pointed out that if the two
surfaces are commensurate with each other, then the
A right circular cone and an oblique circular cone
shape of the body would appear to be a cylinder, as it is
composed of equal rather than unequal circles.
However, if the surfaces are not commensurate, then the side of a cone is not smooth but jagged like a series of
steps.[38]
138
Democritus
Anthropology, biology, and cosmology
His work on nature is known through citations of his books on the subjects, On the Nature of Man, On Flesh (two
books), On Mind, On the Senses, On Flavors, On Colors, Causes concerned with Seeds and Plants and Fruits, and
Causes concerned with Animals (three books).[2] He spent much of his life experimenting with and examining plants
and minerals, and wrote at length on many scientific topics.[39] Democritus thought that the first humans lived an
anarchic and animal sort of life, going out to forage individually and living off the most palatable herbs and the fruit
which grew wild on the trees. They were driven together into societies for fear of wild animals, he said. He believed
that these early people had no language, but that they gradually began to articulate their expressions, establishing
symbols for every sort of object, and in this manner came to understand each other. He says that the earliest men
lived laboriously, having none of the utilities of life; clothing, houses, fire, domestication, and farming were
unknown to them. Democritus presents the early period of mankind as one of learning by trial and error, and says
that each step slowly lead to more discoveries; they took refuge in the caves in winter, stored fruits that could be
preserved, and through reason and keenness of mind came to build upon each new idea.[2] [40]
Democritus held that the Earth was round, and stated that originally the universe was composed of nothing but tiny
atoms churning in chaos, until they collided together to form larger units—including the earth and everything on it.[2]
He surmised that there are many worlds, some growing, some decaying; some with no sun or moon, some with
several. He held that every world has a beginning and an end, and that a world could be destroyed by collision with
another world. His cosmology can be summarized with assistance from Shelley: Worlds rolling over worlds; From
creation to decay; Like the bubbles on a river; Sparkling, bursting, borne away.[41]
Works
Ethics
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pythagoras
On the Disposition of the Wise Man
On the Things in Hades
Tritogenia
On Manliness or On Virtue
The Horn of Amaltheia
On Contentment
Ethical Commentaries
Natural science
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Great World-ordering (may have been written by Leucippus)
Cosmography
On the Planets
On Nature
On the Nature of Man or On Flesh (two books)
On the Mind
On the Senses
On Flavours
On Colours
On Different Shapes
On Changing Shape
Buttresses
• On Images
• On Logic (three books)
139
Democritus
Nature
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Heavenly Causes
Atmospheric Causes
Terrestrial Causes
Causes Concerned with Fire and Things in Fire
Causes Concerned with Sounds
Causes Concerned with Seeds and Plants and Fruits
Causes Concerned with Animals (three books)
Miscellaneous Causes
On Magnets
Mathematics
•
•
•
•
•
•
On Different Angles or On contact of Circles and Spheres
On Geometry
Geometry
Numbers
On Irrational Lines and Solids (two books)
Planispheres
•
•
•
•
•
•
On the Great Year or Astronomy (a calendar)
Contest of the Waterclock
Description of the Heavens
Geography
Description of the Poles
Description of Rays of Light
Literature
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
On the Rhythms and Harmony
On Poetry
On the Beauty of Verses
On Euphonious and Harsh-sounding Letters
On Homer
On Song
On Verbs
Names
Technical works
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Prognosis
On Diet
Medical Judgment
Causes Concerning Appropriate and Inappropriate Occasions
On Farming
On Painting
Tactics
Fighting in Armor
Commentaries
• On the Sacred Writings of Babylon
• On Those in Meroe
• Circumnavigation of the Ocean
140
Democritus
•
•
•
•
•
•
141
On History
Chaldaean Account
Phrygian Account
On Fever and Coughing Sicknesses
Legal Causes
Problems[42]
Institutes named after Democritus
After Democritus are named the following institutions:
• Democritus University of Thrace
• National Centre of Scientific Research "DEMOKRITOS"
Numismatics
Democritus was
coins/banknotes:
depicted
on
the
following
contemporary
• the reverse of the Greek 10 drachmas coin of 1976–2001.[43]
• the obverse of the Greek 100 drachmas banknote of 1967–1978.[44]
Footnotes
Greek ten drachma coin
[1] Russell, pp.64–65.
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
Barnes (1987).
Stephen Toulmin and June Goodfield, The Architecture of Matter (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1962), 56.
Pamela Gossin, Encyclopedia of Literature and Science, 2002.
Aristotle, de Coel. iii.4, Meteor. ii.7
Diogenes Laërtius, ix. 34, etc.
Diogenes Laërtius, ix. 41.
"The latter date [460 BC] is perhaps somewhat preferable, especially given the evident temptation to classify Democritus as older than
Socrates on generic grounds, i.e. that Democritus was the last 'scientific' philosopher, Socrates the first 'ethical' one." Cynthia Farrar, 1989,
The Origins of Democratic Thinking: The Invention of Politics in Classical Athens, page 195. Cambridge University Press
[9] John Burnet (1955). Greek Philosophy: Thales to Plato, London: Macmillan, p.194.
[10] Cicero, de Finibus, v.19; Strabo, xvi.
[11] Diodorus, i.98.
[12] Clement of Alexandria, Stromata, i.
[13] Aelian, Varia Historia, iv. 20; Diogenes Laërtius, ix. 35.
[14] Tatian, Orat. cont. Graec. 17. "However, this Democritus, whom Tatian identified with the philosopher, was a certain Bolus of Mendes
who, under the name of Democritus, wrote a book on sympathies and antipathies" – Owsei Temkin (1991), Hippocrates in a World of Pagans
and Christians, p.120. JHU Press.
[15] Diogenes Laërtius, ii.14; Sextus vii.140.
[16] Diogenes Laërtius, ix.42.
[17] Diogenes Laertius 9.36 and Cicero Tusculanae Quaestiones 5.36.104, cited in p. 349 n. 2 of W. K. C. Guthrie (1965), A History of Greek
Philosophy, vol. 2, Cambridge.
[18] Aristotle, Metaph. xiii.4; Phys. ii.2, de Partib. Anim. i.1
[19] Cicero, de Finibus v.29; Aulus Gellius, x.17; Diogenes Laërtius, ix.36; Cicero, Tusculanae Quaestiones v.39.
[20] Seneca, de Ira, ii.10; Aelian, Varia Historia, iv.20.
[21] Diodorus, xiv.11.5.
[22] Lucian, Macrobii 18
[23] Hipparchus ap. Diogenes Laërtius, ix.43.
[24] Brewer, E. Cobham (1978 [reprint of 1894 version]). The Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Edwinstowe, England: Avenel Books. pp. 3.
ISBN 0-517-259-21-4.
[25] Russell.
[26] Derek Gjertsen (1986), The Newton Handbook, p.468.
Democritus
[27] Sylvia Berryman (2005). "Ancient Atomism" (http:/ / plato. stanford. edu/ entries/ atomism-ancient/ #1), Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy. – Retrieved on 15 July 2009.
[28] Pfeffer, Jeremy, I.; Nir, Shlomo (2001). Modern Physics: An Introduction Text. World Scientific Publishing Company. p. 183.
ISBN 1860942504.
[29] See testimonia DK 68 A 80, DK 68 A 37 and DK 68 A 43. See also Cassirer, Ernst (1953). An Essay on Man: an Introduction to the
Philosophy of Human Culture. Doubleday & Co.. p. 214. ASIN B0007EK5MM.
[30] Russell, p.66.
[31] Russell, pp.69–71.
[32] Aristotle, Metaphysics iv.1009 b 7.
[33] Fr. 117, Diogenes Laërtius ix.72.
[34] Fr. 135, Theophrastus12, De Sensu 49–83.
[35] Fr. 11, Sextus vii.138.
[36] Fr. 9, Sextus vii.136.
[37] Fr. 118
[38] Fragment 9, The Pre-Socratics, Philip Wheelwright Ed., Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 1966, p.183.
[39] Petronius.
[40] Diodorus I.viii.1–7.
[41] Russell, pp.71–72.
[42] Barnes (1987), pp.245–246
[43] Bank of Greece (http:/ / www. bankofgreece. gr/ en). Drachma Banknotes & Coins: 10 drachmas (http:/ / www. bankofgreece. gr/ en/
Banknotes/ coin_selection. asp?Value=001-020drs#010drs). – Retrieved on 27 March 2009.
[44] J. Bourjaily. Banknotes featuring Scientists and Mathematicians (http:/ / www-personal. umich. edu/ ~jbourj/ money3. htm). – Retrieved on
7 December 2009.
References
• BAILEY, C. (1928). The Greek Atomists and Epicurus. Oxford.
• BAKALIS, NIKOLAOS (2005). Handbook of Greek Philosophy: From Thales to the Stoics: Analysis and Fragments,
Trafford Publishing, ISBN 1-4120-4843-5.
• BARNES, JONATHAN (1982). The Presocratic Philosophers, Routledge Revised Edition.
• _____ (1987). Early Greek Philosophy, Penguin.
• BURNET, J. (2003). Early Greek Philosophy, Kessinger Publishing
• DIODORUS SICULUS (1st century BC). Bibliotheca historica.
• DIOGENES LAËRTIUS (3rd century CE). Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers.
• FREEMAN, KATHLEEN (2008). Ancilla to the Pre-Socratic Philosophers: A Complete Translation of the Fragments
in Diels, Forgotten Books, ISBN 978-1-606-80256-4.
• GUTHRIE, W. K. (1979) A History of Greek Philosophy – The Presocratic tradition from Parmenides to
Democritus, Cambridge University Press.
• KIRK, G. S., J. E. RAVEN and M. SCHOFIELD (1983). The Presocratic Philosophers, Cambridge University Press,
2nd edition.
• MELCHERT, NORMAN (2002). The Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to Philosophy. McGraw Hill.
ISBN 0-19-517510-7.
• PYLE, C. M. (1997). 'Democritus and Heracleitus: An Excursus on the Cover of this Book,' Milan and Lombardy
in the Renaissance. Essays in Cultural History. Rome, La Fenice. (Istituto di Filologia Moderna, Università di
Parma: Testi e Studi, Nuova Serie: Studi 1.) (Fortuna of the Laughing and Weeping Philosophers topos)
• PETRONIUS (late 1st century CE). Satyricon. Trans. William Arrowsmith. New York: A Meridian Book, 1987.
• RUSSELL, BERTRAND (1972). A History of Western Philosophy, Simon & Schuster.
• SEXTUS EMPIRICUS (ca. 200 CE). Adversus Mathematicos.
142
Democritus
External links
• Democritus (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/democritus) entry by Sylvia Berryman in the Stanford
• Democritus (http://www.iep.utm.edu/democrit) entry in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• O'Connor, John J.; Robertson, Edmund F., "Democritus" (http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/
Biographies/Democritus.html), MacTutor History of Mathematics archive, University of St Andrews.
• Democritus and Leucippus (http://www.thebigview.com/greeks/democritus.html) - thebigview.com
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Democritus, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
143
144
The Sophists
Sophism
Sophism has two different but related meanings: In the modern definition (from Plato), a sophism is a specious
argument used for deceiving someone. In Ancient Greece, the sophists were a category of teachers who specialized
in using the tools of philosophy and rhetoric for the purpose of teaching aretê — excellence, or virtue —
predominantly to young statesmen and nobility. The practice of charging money for education (and providing
wisdom only to those who can pay) led to the condemnations made by Plato (through Socrates in his dialogues).
Plato regarded their profession itself as being 'specious' or 'deceptive', hence the modern usage of the term.
The term sophism originated from Greek σόφισμα, sophisma, from σοφίζω, sophizo "I am wise"; confer σοφιστής,
sophistēs, meaning "wise-ist, one who does wisdom, one who makes a business out of wisdom" and σοφός, sophós
means "wise man".
Sophists of Ancient Greece
The Greek word sophos or sophia has had the meaning "wise" or "wisdom" since the time of the poet Homer and
originally was used to describe anyone with expertise in a specific domain of knowledge or craft. For example, a
charioteer, a sculptor or a warrior could be described as sophoi in their occupations. Gradually, however, the word
also came to denote general wisdom and especially wisdom about human affairs (in, for example, politics, ethics, or
household management). This was the meaning ascribed to the Greek Seven Sages of 7th and 6th Century BC (like
Solon and Thales), and it was the meaning that appeared in the histories of Herodotus. Richard Martin refers to the
seven sages as "performers of political poetry."[1]
In the second half of the 5th century BC, particularly at Athens, "sophist" came to denote a class of mostly itinerant
intellectuals who taught courses in various subjects, speculated about the nature of language and culture and
employed rhetoric to achieve their purposes, generally to persuade or convince others: "Sophists did, however, have
one important thing in common: whatever else they did or did not claim to know, they characteristically had a great
understanding of what words would entertain or impress or persuade an audience."[1] A few sophists claimed that
they could find the answers to all questions. Most of these sophists are known today primarily through the writings
of their opponents (specifically Plato and Aristotle), which makes it difficult to assemble an unbiased view of their
practices and beliefs.
Many of them taught their skills for a price. Due to the importance of such skills in the litigious social life of Athens,
practitioners often commanded very high fees. The sophists' practice of questioning the existence and roles of
traditional deities and investigating into the nature of the heavens and the earth prompted a popular reaction against
them. The attacks of some of their followers against Socrates prompted a vigorous condemnation from his followers,
including Plato and Xenophon, as there was a popular view of Socrates as a sophist [2] . Their attitude, coupled with
the wealth garnered by many of the sophists, eventually led to popular resentment against sophist practitioners and
the ideas and writings associated with sophism.
Protagoras is generally regarded as the first of the sophists. Others include Gorgias, Prodicus, Hippias,
Thrasymachus, Lycophron, Callicles, Antiphon, and Cratylus.
In comparison, Socrates accepted no fee, instead professed a self-effacing posture, which he exemplified by Socratic
questioning (i.e. the Socratic method, although Diogenes Laertius wrote that Protagoras—a sophist—invented the
“Socratic” method[3] [4] ). His attitude towards the Sophists was by no means oppositional; in one dialogue Socrates
even stated that the Sophists were better educators than he was,[5] which he validated by sending one of his students
Sophism
to study under a sophist.[6] W. K. C. Guthrie associated Socrates with the Sophists in his History of Greek
Philosophy.[6]
Plato, the most famous student of Socrates, depicts Socrates as refuting some sophists in several Dialogues. These
texts depict the sophists in an unflattering light, and it is unclear how accurate or fair Plato's representation of them
may be; however, Protagoras and Prodicus are portrayed in a largely positive light in Protagoras (dialogue). Another
contemporary, the comic playwright Aristophanes, criticizes the sophists as hairsplitting wordsmiths, and makes
Socrates their representative.
Plato is largely responsible for the modern view of the "sophist" as a greedy instructor who uses rhetorical
sleight-of-hand and ambiguities of language in order to deceive, or to support fallacious reasoning. In this view, the
sophist is not concerned with truth and justice, but instead seeks power. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle all challenged
the philosophical foundations of sophism.
Some scholars, such as Ugo Zilioli[7] argue that the sophists held a relativistic view on cognition and knowledge.
However, this may involve the Greek word "doxa," which means "culturally shared belief" rather than "individual
opinion." Their philosophy contains criticism of religion, law, and ethics. Though many sophists were apparently as
religious as their contemporaries, some held atheistic or agnostic views (for example, Protagoras and Diagoras of
Melos).
In some cases, such as Gorgias, there are original rhetorical works that are fortunately extant, allowing the author to
be judged on his own terms. In most cases, however, knowledge of sophist thought comes from fragmentary
quotations that lack context. Many of these quotations come from Aristotle, who seems to have held the sophists in
slight regard.
Owing largely to the influence of Plato and Aristotle, philosophy came to be regarded as distinct from sophistry, the
latter being regarded as specious and rhetorical, a practical discipline. Thus, by the time of the Roman Empire, a
sophist was simply a teacher of rhetoric and a popular public speaker. For instance, Libanius, Himerius, Aelius
Aristides, and Fronto were sophists in this sense.
Sophists and democracy
The sophists' rhetorical techniques were extremely useful for any young nobleman looking for public office. In
addition to the individual benefits that Sophistic-style teaching conferred, the societal roles that the Sophists filled
had important ramifications for the Athenian political system at large. The historical context in which the Sophists
operated provides evidence for their considerable influence, as Athens became more and more democratic during the
period in which the Sophists were most active.[8]
The Sophists certainly were not directly responsible for Athenian democracy, but their cultural and psychological
contributions played an important role in its growth. They contributed to the new democracy in part by espousing
expertise in public deliberation, since this was the foundation of decision-making, which allowed and perhaps
required a tolerance of the beliefs of others. This liberal attitude would naturally have precipitated into the Athenian
assembly as Sophists acquired increasingly high-powered clients.[9] Continuous rhetorical training gave the citizens
of Athens "the ability to create accounts of communal possibilities through persuasive speech".[10] This was
extremely important for the democracy, as it gave disparate and sometimes superficially unattractive views a chance
to be heard in the Athenian assembly.
In addition, Sophists had great impact on the early development of law, as the sophists were the first lawyers in the
world. Their status as lawyers was a result of their extremely developed argumentation skills.[11]
145
Sophism
Sophists and education
The Sophists were notorious for their claims to teach virtue/excellence and for accepting fees for teaching. The
influence of this stance on education in general, and medical education in particular, have been described by Seamus
Mac Suibhne.[12]
Modern usage
In modern usage, sophism, sophist, and sophistry are derogatory terms, due to the influence of many past
philosophers.
A sophism is taken as a specious argument used for deceiving someone. It might be crafted to seem logical while
actually being wrong, or it might use difficult words and complicated sentences to intimidate the audience into
agreeing, or it might appeal to the audience's prejudices and emotions rather than logic; e.g., raising doubts towards
the one asserting, rather than his assertion. The goal of a sophism is often to make the audience believe the writer or
speaker to be smarter than he or she actually is; e.g., accusing another of sophistry for using persuasion techniques.
A sophist is a user of sophisms, i.e., an insincere person trying to confuse or deceive people. Sophists will try to
persuade the audience while paying little attention to whether their argument is logical and factual.
Sophistry means making heavy use of sophisms. The word can be applied to a particular text or speech riddled with
sophisms.
Notes
[1] Plato protagoras, intro by N Denyer, p1, cambridge up, 2008
[2] Aristophanes' "clouds"; Aeschines 1.173; Diels & Kranz, "Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker",80 A 21
[3] Jarratt, Susan C. Rereading the Sophists: Classical Rhetoric Refigured. Carbondale and Edwardsville: Southern Illinois University Press,
1991., p. 83
[4] Sprague, Rosamond Kent, The Older Sophists, Hackett Publishing Company (ISBN 0-87220-556-8)., p. 5
[5] Guthrie, W. K. C. Vol. 3 of History of Greek Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1969, p. 399
[6] Guthrie, W. K. C. Vol. 3 of History of Greek Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1969, p. 401
[7] http:/ / onlinelibrary. wiley. com/ doi/ 10. 1111/ j. 1468-2265. 2009. 00484_1. x/ full Waterfield, R. (2009), Protagoras and the Challenge of
Relativism: Plato's Subtlest Enemy. By Ugo Zilioli. The Heythrop Journal, 50: 509–510. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2265.2009.00484_1.x
[8] Blackwell, Christopher. Demos: Classical Athenian Democracy (http:/ / www. stoa. org/ projects/ demos/ home?greekEncoding=UnicodeC).
28 February 2003. The Stoa: a Consortium for Scholarly Publication in the Humanitiez. 25 April 2007.
[9] Sprague, Rosamond Kent, The Older Sophists, Hacker Publishing Company (ISBN 0-87220-556-8), p. 32
[10] Jarratt, Susan C. Rereading the Sophists: Classical Rhetoric Refigured. Carbon dale and Edwards ville: Southern Illinois University Press,
1991, p. 98
[11] Martin, Richard. "Seven Sages as Performers of Wisdom." Cultural Poetics in Archaic Greece. New York: Oxford, 1988. 108-130.
[12] Mac Suibhne, Seamus. "Sophists, sophistry, and modern medical education" (http:/ / www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/ pubmed/ 20095778).
Medical Teacher 2010 Jan;32(1):71-5.
References
• Blackwell, Christopher. Demos: Classical Athenian Democracy (http://www.stoa.org/projects/demos/
home?greekEncoding=UnicodeC). 28 February 2003. The Stoa: a Consortium for Scholarly Publication in the
Humanities. 25 April 2007.
• Guthrie, W. K. C. Vol. 3 of History of Greek Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1969
• Jarratt, Susan C. Rereading the Sophists: Classical Rhetoric Refigured. Carbondale and Edwardsville: Southern
Illinois University Press, 1991.
• Kerferd, G.B., The Sophistic Movement, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 1981 (ISBN
0-521-28357-4).
• Rosen, Stanley, Plato's 'Sophist', The Drama of Original and Image, Yale University Press, New Haven, CT,
1983.
146
Sophism
• Sprague, Rosamond Kent, The Older Sophists, Hackett Publishing Company (ISBN 0-87220-556-8).
External links
• Plato's Dialogue: Sophist (http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/sophist.html)
•
"Sophists". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913.
147
Protagoras
148
Protagoras
Protagoras (Πρωταγόρας)
Full name
Protagoras (Πρωταγόρας)
Born
c. 490
Died
420 BC
Era
Region
Western Philosophy
School
Ionian Philosophy
Main
interests
language, semantics, relativism
Notable
ideas
The "Antilogies", which consists of two premises: the first is "Before any uncertainty two opposite theses can validly be confronted",
the second is its complement: the need to "strengthen the weaker argument".
Protagoras (Greek: Πρωταγόρας) (ca. 490 BC – 420 BC)[1] was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher and is numbered
as one of the sophists by Plato. In his dialogue Protagoras, Plato credits him with having invented the role of the
professional sophist or teacher of virtue. He is also believed to have created a major controversy during ancient times
through his statement that man is the measure of all things. This idea was very revolutionary for the time and
contrasting to other philosophical doctrines that claimed the universe was based on something objective, outside the
human influence.
Background
Protagoras was born in Abdera, Thrace, in Ancient Greece. According to Aulus Gellius, he originally made his living
as a porter, but one day he was seen by the philosopher Democritus carrying a load of small pieces of wood tied with
a short cord. Democritus discovered that Protagoras had tied the load himself with such perfect geometric accuracy
that it revealed him to be a mathematic prodigy. He immediately took him into his own household and taught him
philosophy.[2]
"In Plato's Protagoras, before the company of Socrates, Prodicus, and Hippias, he states that he is old enough to be
the father of any of them. This suggests a date of not later than 490 BC". In the Meno (91e) he is said to have died at
about the age of 70 after 40 years as a practicing Sophist. His death, then, may be assumed to have occurred circa
420." He was well-known in Athens and became a friend of Pericles.[3]
Plutarch relates a story in which the two spend a whole day discussing an interesting point of legal responsibility,
that probably involved a more philosophical question of causation.[4] "In an athletic contest a man had been
accidentally hit and killed with a javelin. Was his death to be attributed to the javelin itself, to the man who threw it,
or to the authorities responsible for the conduct of the games?"[5]
Philosophy
Protagoras was also renowned as a teacher who addressed subjects connected to virtue and political life. He was
especially involved in the question of whether virtue could be taught, a commonplace issue of 5th Century BC
Greece (and related to modern readers through Plato's dialogue). Rather than educators who offered specific,
practical training in rhetoric or public speaking, Protagoras attempted to formulate a reasoned understanding, on a
very general level, of a wide range of human phenomena (for example, language and education). He also seems to
have had an interest in the correct use of words (a topic more strongly associated with his fellow-sophist Prodicus).
Protagoras
His most famous saying is: "Man is the measure of all things: of things which are, that they are, and of things which
are not, that they are not".[6] Like many fragments of the Presocratics, this phrase has been passed down to us
without any context, and its meaning is open to interpretation. However, the use of the word "χρήματα" instead of
the general word "όντα" (entities) signifies that Protagoras was referring to things that are used by or in some way
related to humans. This makes a great difference in the meaning of his aphorism. Properties, social entities, ideas,
feelings, judgements, etc. are certainly "χρήματα" and hence originate in the human mind. However, Protagoras has
never suggested that man must be the measure of the motion of the stars, the growing of plants or the activity of
volcanos. Such views (together with his views about the gods) were considered subversive by the contemporary
political elites. Like many modern thinkers, Plato ascribes relativism to Protagoras and uses his predecessor's
teachings as a foil for his own commitment to objective and transcendent realities and values particularly those that
relate to his aristocratic background. His major effort (though the words of Socrates) is to convince his
contemporaries that virtue ("αρετή") is a present from the gods, which one either has or has not and that no sophist
can teach virtue to people that do not already possess it. Plato ascribes to Protagoras an early form of
phenomenalism,[7] in which what is or appears for a single individual is true or real for that individual. However, as
it is clearly presented in the dialogue "Theaetetus", Protagoras explains that some of such controversial views may
result from an ill body or mind. He stresses that although all views may appear equally true (and perhaps should be
equally respected) they are certainly not of equal gravity. One may be useful and advantageous to the person that has
it while another may prove harmful. Hence, the sophist is there to teach the student how to discriminate between
them, i.e to teach virtue.
Protagoras was a proponent of agnosticism. In his lost work, On the Gods, he wrote: "Concerning the gods, I have no
means of knowing whether they exist or not or of what sort they may be, because of the obscurity of the subject, and
the brevity of human life."[8] (80B4 DK)
Very few fragments from Protagoras have survived, though he is known to have written several different works:
Antilogiae and Truth. The latter is cited by Plato, and was known alternatively as 'The Throws' (a wrestling term
referring to the attempt to floor an opponent). It began with the "man the measure" pronouncement. The crater
Protagoras on the Moon is named in his honor.
Book Burning story
According to Diogenes Laërtius, the above outspoken agnostic position taken by Protagoras aroused anger, causing
the Athenians to expel him from the city, and all copies of the book were collected and burned in the marketplace;
this is also mentioned by Cicero[9] . However, the Classicist John Burnet doubts this account, as both Diogenes
Laertius and Cicero wrote hundreds of years later and no such persecution of Protagoras is mentioned by
contemporaries who make extensive references to this philosopher[10] . Burnet notes that even if some copies of
Protagoras' book were burned, enough of them survived to be known and discussed in the following century.
Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
Guthrie, p. 262–263.
Aulus Gellius. "Noctes Atticae". Book V. iii.
O'Sullivan, Neil. (1995) "Pericles and Protagoras". Greece & Rome, Vol. 42 (1): 15-23
Guthrie, p. 263.
Plutarch. "Pericles." Lives, p. 36.
(80B1 DK). This quotation is recapitulated in Plato's Theaetetus, section 152a. (http:/ / www. perseus. tufts. edu/ cgi-bin/ ptext?lookup=Plat.
+ Theaet. + 152a) Sextus Empiricus (Adv. math. 7.60) gives a direct quotation, πάντων χρημάτων μέτρον ἐστὶν ἄνθρωπος, τῶν μὲν ὄντων
ὡς ἔστιν, τῶν δὲ οὐκ ὄντων ὡς οὐκ ἔστιν. The translation "Man is the measure..." has been familiar in English since before the rise of
gender-neutral language; in Greek, Protagoras makes a general statement, not about men, but about human beings (his word is anthrōpos).
[7] See e.g. John Wild, " On the Nature and Aims of Phenomenology (http:/ / links. jstor. org/ sici?sici=0031-8205(194209)3:1<85:OTNAAO>2.
0. CO;2-6)," Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 3 (1942), p. 88: "Phenomenalism is as old as Protagoras."
149
Protagoras
[8] The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Protagoras (c. 490 - c. 420 BCE) (http:/ / www. iep. utm. edu/ p/ protagor. htm), Accessed:
October 6, 2008. "While the pious might wish to look to the gods to provide absolute moral guidance in the relativistic universe of the
Sophistic Enlightenment, that certainty also was cast into doubt by philosophic and sophistic thinkers, who pointed out the absurdity and
immorality of the conventional epic accounts of the gods. Protagoras' prose treatise about the gods began "Concerning the gods, I have no
means of knowing whether they exist or not or of what sort they may be. Many things prevent knowledge including the obscurity of the
subject and the brevity of human life."
[9] Cicero, de Natura Deorum, 1.23.6
[10] John Burnet, "Greek Philosophy: From Thales to Plato", 1914
References
• Guthrie, W. K. C., The Sophists. New York: Cambridge University Press (May 27, 1977). ISBN 0-521-09666-9.
External links
• Protagoras (http://www.iep.utm.edu/protagor) entry in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy by Carol
Poster
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Protagoras, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
Gorgias
Gorgias (Greek: Γοργίας, c. 485-c. 380 BC[1] "the Nihilist", Greek sophist, pre-socratic philosopher and rhetorician,
was a native of Leontini in Sicily. Along with Protagoras, he forms the first generation of Sophists. Several
doxographers report that he was a pupil of Empedocles, although he would only have been a few years younger.
"Like other Sophists he was an itinerant, practicing in various cities and giving public exhibitions of his skill at the
great pan-Hellenic centers of Olympia and Delphi, and charged fees for his instruction and performances. A special
feature of his displays was to invite miscellaneous questions from the audience and give impromptu replies."[2]
His chief claim to recognition resides in the fact that he transplanted rhetoric from his native Sicily to Attica, and
contributed to the diffusion of the Attic dialect as the language of literary prose.
Life
Gorgias originated from Leontini, a Greek colony in Sicily, and what is often called the home of Spartan rhetoric. It
is known that Gorgias had a father named Charmantides and two siblings – a brother named Herodicus and a sister
who dedicated a statue to Gorgias in Delphi (McComiskey 6-7).
He was already about sixty when in 427 he was sent to Athens by his fellow-citizens at the head of an embassy to
ask for Athenian protection against the aggression of the Syracusans. He subsequently settled in Athens, probably
due to the enormous popularity of his style of oratory and the profits made from his performances and rhetoric
classes. According to Aristotle, his students included Isocrates.[3] (Other students are named in later traditions; the
Suda adds Pericles, Polus, and Alcidamas,[4] Diogenes Laërtius mentions Antisthenes,[5] and according to
Philostratus, "I understand that he attracted the attention of the most admired men, Critias and Alcibiades who were
young, and Thucydides and Pericles who were already old. Agathon too, the tragic poet, whom Comedy regards as
wise and eloquent, often Gorgianizes in his iambic verse").[6]
Gorgias is reputed to have lived to be over one hundred years old. He accumulated considerable wealth; enough to
commission a gold statue of himself for a public temple.[7] He died at Larissa in Thessaly.
150
Gorgias
Rhetorical innovation
Gorgias ushered in rhetorical innovations involving structure and ornamentation and the introduction of
paradoxologia – the idea of paradoxical thought and paradoxical expression. For these advancements, Gorgias has
been labeled the ‘father of sophistry’ (Wardy 6). Gorgias is also known for contributing to the diffusion of the Attic
dialect as the language of literary prose.
Gorgias’ extant rhetorical works (Encomium of Helen, Defense of Palamedes, On Non-Existence, and Epitaphios)
come to us via a work entitled Technai, a manual of rhetorical instruction, which may have consisted of models to be
memorized and demonstrate various principles of rhetorical practice (Leitch, et al. 29). Although some scholars
claim that each work presents opposing statements, the four texts can be read as interrelated contributions to the
up-and-coming theory and art (technê) of rhetoric (McComiskey 32). Of Gorgias’ surviving works, only the
Encomium and the Defense are believed to exist in their entirety. Meanwhile, there are his own speeches, rhetorical,
political, or other. A number of these are referred to and quoted by Aristotle, including a speech on Hellenic unity, a
funeral oration for Athenians fallen in war, and a brief quotation from an Encomium on the Eleans. Apart from the
speeches, there are paraphrases of the treatise "On Nature or the Non-Existent." These works are each part of the
Diels-Kranz collection, and although academics consider this source reliable, many of the works included are
fragmentary and corrupt. Questions have also been raised as to the authenticity and accuracy of the texts attributed to
Gorgias (Consigny 4).
Gorgias’ writings are both rhetorical and performative. He goes to great lengths to exhibit his ability of making an
absurd, argumentative position appear stronger. Consequently, each of his works defend positions that are unpopular,
paradoxical and even absurd. The performative nature of Gorgias’ writings is exemplified by the way that he
playfully approaches each argument with stylistic devices such as parody, artificial figuration and theatricality
(Consigny 149). Gorgias’ style of argumentation can be described as poetics-minus-the-meter (poiêsis-minus-meter).
Gorgias argues that persuasive words have power (dunamis) that is equivalent to that of the gods and as strong as
physical force. In the Encomium, Gorgias likens the effect of speech on the soul to the effect of drugs on the body:
“Just as different drugs draw forth different humors from the body – some putting a stop to disease, others to life –
so too with words: some cause pain, others joy, some strike fear, some stir the audience to boldness, some benumb
and bewitch the soul with evil persuasion” (Gorgias 32).
Gorgias also believed that his "magical incantations" would bring healing to the human psyche by controlling
powerful emotions. He paid particular attention to the sounds of words, which, like poetry, could captivate
audiences. His florid, rhyming style seemed to hypnotize his audiences (Herrick 42). Gorgias' legendary powers of
persuasion would suggest that he had a somewhat preternatural influence over his audience and their emotions.
Unlike other Sophists, such as Protagoras, Gorgias did not profess to teach arete (excellence, or, virtue). He believed
that there was no absolute form of arete, but that it was relative to each situation (for example, virtue in a slave was
not virtue in a statesman) His thought was that rhetoric, the art of persuasion, was the king of all sciences, since it
was capable of persuading any course of action. While rhetoric existed in the curriculum of every Sophist, Gorgias
placed more prominence upon it than any of the others.
Much debate over both the nature and value of rhetoric begins with Gorgias. Plato’s dialogue entitled Gorgias
presents a counter-argument to Gorgias’ embrace of rhetoric, its elegant form, and performative nature (Wardy 2).
The dialog attempts to show that rhetoric does not meet the requirements to actually be considered a technê but is a
somewhat dangerous "knack" to possess both for the orator and for his audience. This is because it gives the ignorant
the power to seem more knowledgeable than an expert to a group.
151
Gorgias
152
On the Non-Existent
Gorgias is the author of a lost work: On Nature or the Non-Existent. Rather than being one of his rhetorical works, it
presented a theory of being that at the same time refuted and parodied the Eleatic thesis. The original text was lost
and today there remain just two paraphrases of it. The first is preserved by the philosopher Sextus Empiricus in
Against the Professors and the other by the anonymous author of On Melissus, Xenophanes, and Gorgias. Each
work, however, excludes material that is discussed in the other, which suggests that each version may represent
intermediary sources (Consigny 4). It is clear, however, that the work developed a skeptical argument, which has
been extracted from the sources and translated as below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Nothing exists;
Even if something exists, nothing can be known about it; and
Even if something can be known about it, knowledge about it can't be communicated to others.
Even if it can be communicated, there is no incentive to do so.
The argument has largely been seen as an ironic refutation of Parmenides' thesis on Being. Gorgias set out to prove
that it is as easy to demonstrate that being is one, unchanging and timeless as it is to prove that being has no
existence at all.
“How can anyone communicate the idea of color by means of words since the ear does not hear colors but only
sounds?” This quote, written by the Sicilian philosopher Gorgias, was used to show his theory that ‘there is nothing’,
‘if there were anything no one would know it’, ‘and if anyone did know it, no one could communicate it’. This theory,
thought of in the late 5th century BC, is still being contemplated by many philosophers throughout the world. This
argument has led some to label Gorgias a nihilist (one who believes nothing exists, or that the world is
incomprehensible, and that the concept of truth is fictitious). For the first main argument where Gorgias says, “there
is no-thing”, he tries to persuade the reader that thought and existence are not the same. By claiming that if thought
and existence truly were the same, then everything that anyone thought would suddenly exist. He also attempted to
prove that words and sensations couldn’t be measured by the same standards, for even though words and sensations
are both derived from the mind, they are essentially different. This is where his second idea comes into place.
Rhetorical works
Encomium of Helen
In their writings, Gorgias and other sophists speculated "about the structure and function of language” as a
framework for expressing the implications of action and the ways decisions about such actions were made” (Jarratt
103). And this is exactly the purpose of Gorgias’ Encomium of Helen. Of the three divisions of rhetoric discussed by
Aristotle in his Rhetoric (forensic, deliberative, and epideictic), the Encomium can be classified as an epideictic
speech, expressing praise for Helen of Troy and ridding her of the blame she faced for leaving Sparta with Paris
(Wardy 26).
Helen – the proverbial “Helen of Troy” – exemplified both sexual passion and tremendous beauty for the Greeks.
She was the daughter of Zeus and Leda, the Queen of Sparta, and her beauty was the direct cause of the decade long
Trojan War between Greece and Troy. The war began after the goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite asked Paris
(a Trojan prince) to select who was the most beautiful of the three. Each goddess tried to influence Paris’ decision,
but he ultimately chose Aphrodite who then promised Paris the most beautiful woman. Paris then traveled to Greece
where he was greeted by Helen and her husband Menelaus. Under the influence of Aphrodite, Helen allowed Paris to
persuade her to elope with him. Together they traveled to Troy, not only sparking the war, but also a popular and
literary tradition of blaming Helen for her wrongdoing. It is this tradition which Gorgias confronts in the Encomium.
The Encomium opens with Gorgias explaining that “a man, woman, speech, deed, city or action that is worthy of
praise should be honored with acclaim, but the unworthy should be branded with blame” (Gorgias 30). In the speech
Gorgias
Gorgias discusses the possible reasons for Helen’s journey to Troy. He explains that Helen could have been
persuaded in one of four ways: by the gods, by physical force, by love, or by speech (logos). If it were indeed the
plan of the gods that caused Helen to depart for Troy, Gorgias argues that those who blame her should face blame
themselves, “for a human’s anticipation cannot restrain a god’s inclination” (Gorgias 31). Gorgias explains that, by
nature, the weak are ruled by the strong, and, since the gods are stronger than humans in all respects, Helen should
be freed from her undesirable reputation. If, however, Helen was abducted by force, it is clear that the aggressor
committed a crime. Thus, it should be he, not Helen, who should be blamed. And if Helen was persuaded by love,
she should also be rid of ill repute because “if love is a god, with the divine power of the gods, how could a weaker
person refuse and reject him? But if love is a human sickness and a mental weakness, it must not be blamed as
mistake, but claimed as misfortune” (Gorgias 32). Finally, if speech persuaded Helen, Gorgias claims he can easily
clear her of blame. Gorgias explains: “Speech is a powerful master and achieves the most divine feats with the
smallest and least evident body. It can stop fear, relieve pain, create joy, and increase pity” (Gorgias 31). It is here
that Gorgias compares the effect of speech on the mind with the effect of drugs on the body.
The Encomium demonstrates Gorgias’ love of paradoxologia. The performative nature of the Encomium requires a
reciprocal relationship between the performer and the audience, one which relies on the cooperation between the
deceptive performer and the equally deceived audience (Wardy 36). Gorgias reveals this paradox in the final section
of the Encomium where he writes: “I wished to write this speech for Helen’s encomium and my amusement” (Gorgias
33). Additionally, if one were to accept Gorgias’ argument for Helen’s exoneration, it would fly in the face of a
whole literary tradition of blame directed towards Helen. This too is paradoxical.
Defense of Palamedes
In the Defense of Palamedes Gorgias describes logos as a positive instrument for creating ethical arguments
(McComiskey 38). The Defense, an oration that deals with issues of morality and political commitment (Consigny
38), defends Palamedes who, in Greek mythology, is credited with the invention of the alphabet, written laws,
numbers, armor, and measures and weights (McComiskey 47).
In the speech Palamedes defends himself against the charge of treason. In Greek mythology, Odysseus – in order to
avoid going to Troy with Agamemnon and Menelaus to bring Helen back to Sparta – pretended to have gone mad
and began sowing the fields with salt. Palamedes got Odysseus to disclose this information by throwing his son
Telemachus in front of the plow. Odysseus, who never forgave Palamedes for making him reveal himself, later
accused Palamedes of working with the Trojans. Soon after, Palamedes was condemned and killed (Jarratt 58).
In this epideictic speech, like the Encomium, Gorgias is concerned with experimenting with how plausible arguments
can cause conventional truths to be doubted (Jarratt 59). Throughout the text, Gorgias presents a method for
composing logical (logos), ethical (ethos) and emotional (pathos) arguments from possibility, which are similar to
those described by Aristotle in Rhetoric. These types of arguments about motive and capability presented in the
Defense are later described by Aristotle as forensic topoi. Gorgias demonstrates that in order to prove that treason
had been committed, a set of possible occurrences also need to be established. In the Defense these occurrences are
as follows: communication between Palamedes and the enemy, exchange of a pledge in the form of hostages or
money, and not being detected by guards or citizens. In his defense, Palamedes claims that a small sum of money
would not have warranted such a large undertaking and reasons that a large sum of money, if indeed such a
transaction had been made, would require the aid of many confederates in order for it to be transported. Palamedes
reasons further that such an exchange could neither have occurred at night because the guards would be watching,
nor in the day because everyone would be able to see. Palamedes continues, explaining that if the aforementioned
conditions were, in fact, arranged then action would need to follow. Such action needed to take place either with or
without confederates; however, if these confederates were free men then they were free to disclose any information
they desired, but if they were slaves there was a risk of their voluntarily accusing to earn freedom, or accusing by
force when tortured. Slaves, Palamedes says, are untrustworthy. Palamedes goes on to list a variety of possible
153
Gorgias
154
motives, all of which he proves false.
Through the Defense Gorgias demonstrates that a motive requires an advantage such as status, wealth, honour, and
security, and insists that Palamedes lacked a motive (McComiskey 47-49).
Epitaphios (or Athenian funeral oration)
This text is considered to be an important contribution to the genre of epitaphios. During the 5th and 4th centuries
BC, such funeral orations were delivered by well-known orators during public burial ceremonies in Athens, whereby
those who died in wars were honoured. Gorgias’ text provides a clever critique of 5th century propagandist rhetoric
in imperial Athens and is the basis for Plato’s parody, Menexenus (Consigny 2).
Critics
Plato is one of Gorgias’ greatest critics. Plato’s dislike for sophistic doctrines is well known, and it is in his
eponymous dialogue that both Gorgias himself as well as his rhetorical beliefs are ridiculed (McComiskey 17).
In the Gorgias, Plato distinguishes between philosophy and rhetoric, characterizing Gorgias as an orator who
entertains his audience with his eloquent words and who believes that it is unnecessary to learn the truth about actual
matters when one has discovered the art of persuasion (Consigny 36). In the dialogue, Gorgias responds to one of
Socrates’ statements as follows: “Rhetoric is the only area of expertise you need to learn. You can ignore all the rest
and still get the better of the professionals!” (Plato 24).
Plato is sure to make the distinction between playful oration and serious philosophy, arguing that Gorgias, despite his
so-called philosophical work On Non-Existence, is not a true philosopher. Gorgias, whose On Non-Existence is taken
to be critical of the Eleatic tradition and its founder Parmenides, describes philosophy as a type of seduction, but he
does not deny philosophy entirely, giving some respect to philosophers (Consigny 37).
Plato answers Gorgias by reaffirming the Parmenidean ideal that being is the basic substance and reality of which all
things are composed, insisting that philosophy is a dialectic distinct from and superior to rhetoric (Wardy 52).
Aristotle also criticizes Gorgias, labeling him a mere Sophist whose primary goal is to make money by appearing
wise and clever, thus deceiving the public by means of misleading or sophistic arguments (Consigny 36).
References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
Oxford Classical Dictionary, 3rd. ed. s.v. "Gorgias" (Oxford, 1996)
W.K.C. Guthrie, The Sophists (New York:Cambridge University Press, 1971), p. 270.
Aristotle, fr. 130 Rose = Quintilian 3.1.13.
Suda, Gorgias
Diogenes Laërtius, vi. 2
Lives of the Sophists 1.9, trans. George Kennedy in The Older Sophists, ed. R.K. Sprague (Columbia, S.C., 1972), p. 31.
Sprague, Rosamond Kent, The Older Sophists, Hackett Publishing Company (ISBN 0-87220-556-8)., p. 31
Sources
•
• Consigny, Scott. Gorgias: Sophist and Artist. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 2001.
• Gorgias. “Encomium of Helen.” The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. Eds. Vincent B. Leitch, et al.
New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2001. 30-33.
• Jarratt, Susan C. Rereading the Sophists: Classical Rhetoric Refigured. Carbondale and Edwardsville: Southern
Illinois University Press, 1991.
• Leitch, Vincent B., et al., eds. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. New York: W. W. Norton &
Company, 2001.
Gorgias
• McComiskey, Bruce. Gorgias and the New Sophistic Rhetoric. Carbondale and Edwardsville: Southern Illinois
University Press, 2001.
• Plato. Gorgias. Trans. Robin Waterfield. Oxford University Press, 1994.
• Walker, Jeffrey. Rhetoric and Poetics in Antiquity. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.
• Wardy, Robert. The Birth of Rhetoric: Gorgias, Plato and Their Successors. New York: Routledge, 1996.
• Sprague, Rosamond Kent, The Older Sophists, Hackett Publishing Company(ISBN 0-87220-556-8).
External links
• Encomium on Helen: Greek text (http://www.classicpersuasion.org/pw/gorgias/helenuni.htm) and English
translation (http://www.classicpersuasion.org/pw/gorgias/helendonovan.htm)
• Gorgias (http://www.gottwein.de/Grie/vorsokr/VSGorg02.php), selected texts (from Plato's dialogue entitled
"Gorgias") in Greek (with German translation and vocabulary notes)
• Encomium on Helen: public domain audiobook (http://www.kennyshomework.com/multimedia.html)
Hippias
Hippias of Elis (Greek: Ἱππίας; late 5th century BCE) was a Greek Sophist, and a contemporary of Socrates. With
an assurance characteristic of the later sophists, he claimed to be regarded as an authority on all subjects, and
lectured on poetry, grammar, history, politics, mathematics, and much else. Most of our knowledge of him is derived
from Plato, who characterizes him as vain and arrogant.
Life
Hippias was born at Elis in the mid 5th-century BCE (c. 460 BCE) and was thus a younger contemporary of
Protagoras and Socrates. He lived at least as late as Socrates (399 BCE). He was a disciple of Hegesidamus.[1]
Owing to his talent and skill, his fellow-citizens availed themselves of his services in political matters, and in a
diplomatic mission to Sparta.[2] But he was in every respect like the other sophists of the time: he travelled about in
various towns and districts of Greece for the purpose of teaching and public speaking. The two dialogues of Plato,
the Hippias major and the Hippias minor characterize him as vain and arrogant. The Hippias major (the authorship
of this work by Plato is sometimes doubted) concerns the question about the beautiful, and purposely puts the
knowledge and presumption of Hippias in a ludicrous light. The Hippias minor discusses the deficiency of our
knowledge, and characterizes Hippias as ridiculously vain.
Work
Hippias was a man of very extensive knowledge, and he occupied himself not only with rhetorical, philosophical,
and political studies, but was also well versed in poetry, music, mathematics, painting and sculpture, and he claimed
some practical skill in the ordinary arts of life, for he used to boast of wearing on his body nothing that he had not
made himself with his own hands, such as his seal-ring, his cloak, and shoes.[3] On the other hand, his knowledge
always appears superficial, he does not enter into the details of any particular art or science, and is satisfied with
certain generalities, which enabled him to speak on everything without a thorough knowledge of any. This
arrogance, combined with ignorance, is the main cause which provoked Plato to his severe criticism of Hippias, as
the sophist enjoyed a very extensive reputation, and thus had a large influence upon the education of the youths of
the higher classes. A mathematical discovery ascribed to Hippias is sometimes called the quadratrix of Hippias.
His great skill seems to have consisted in delivering grand show speeches; and Plato has him arrogantly declaring
that he would travel to Olympia, and there deliver before the assembled Greeks an oration on any subject that might
be proposed to him;[4] and Philostratus in fact speaks of several such orations delivered at Olympia, and which
155
Hippias
156
created great sensation. If such speeches were published by Hippias, then no specimen has come down to us. Plato
claims he wrote epic poetry, tragedies, dithyrambs, and various orations,[5] as well works on as grammar, music,
rhythm, harmony, and a variety of other subjects.[6] He seems to have been especially fond of choosing antiquarian
and mythical subjects for his show speeches. Athenaeus mentions a work of Hippias under the title Synagoge which
is otherwise unknown.[7] An epigram of his is preserved in Pausanias.[8]
Notes
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
Suda, Hippias
Plato, Hippias major, 281a, 286a; Philostratus, Vit. Soph. i. 11.
Plato, Hippias major, 285c, Hippias minor, 368b, Protagoras, 315c; Philostratus, Vit. Soph. i. 11.; Themistius, Orat. xxix. p. 345. d.
Plat. Hippias minor, 363
Plato Hippias minor, 368
Plato, Hippias major, 285ff; comp. Philostratus, Vit. Soph. i. 11.; Plutarch, Num. 1, 23; Dio Chrysostom, Orat. lxxi.
Athenaeus, xiii. 609
Pausanias, v. 25
External links
• O'Connor, John J.; Robertson, Edmund F., "Hippias" (http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/
Hippias.html), MacTutor History of Mathematics archive, University of St Andrews.
• Hippias' Attempt to Trisect an Angle (http://mathdl.maa.org/convergence/1/?pa=content&
sa=viewDocument&nodeId=1207&bodyId=1352) at Convergence (http://mathdl.maa.org/convergence/1/)
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology by
William Smith (1870).
Prodicus
Prodicus of Ceos (Greek: Πρόδικος, Pródikos; c. 465 BC – c. 395
BC) was a Greek philosopher, and part of the first generation of
Sophists. He came to Athens as ambassador from Ceos, and became
known as a speaker and a teacher. Plato treats him with greater respect
than the other sophists, and in several of the Platonic dialogues
Socrates appears as the friend of Prodicus. Prodicus made linguistics
and ethics prominent in his curriculum. The content of one of his
speeches is still known, and concerns a fable in which Heracles has to
make a choice between Virtue and Vice. He also interpreted religion
through the framework of naturalism.
The Judgement of Hercules, by Annibale
Carracci, depicting the fable recounted by
Prodicus
Life
Prodicus was a native of Ioulis on the island of Ceos, the birthplace of Simonides,[1] whom he is described as having
imitated.[2] Prodicus came frequently to Athens for the purpose of transacting business on behalf of his native city,
and attracted admiration as an orator,[3] although his voice was deep and apt to fall.[4] Plutarch describes him as
slender and weak;[5] and Plato also alludes to his weakness, and a degree of effeminacy which thus resulted.[6]
Philostratus accuses him of luxury and avarice,[7] but no earlier source mentions this.
Prodicus
In the Protagoras of Plato, (dramatic date c. 430 BC), Prodicus is mentioned as having previously arrived in Athens.
He appears in a play of Eupolis, and in The Clouds (423 BC) and The Birds (414 BC) of Aristophanes.[8] He came
frequently to Athens on public business.[9] His pupils included the orators Theramenes[10] and Isocrates,[11] and in
the year of the death of Socrates (399 BC), Prodicus was still living.[12] According to the statement of Philostratus,
on which little reliance can be placed, he delivered his lecture on virtue and vice in Thebes and Sparta also. The
Apology of Plato unites him with Gorgias and Hippias as among those who were considered competent to instruct
the youth in any city. Lucian mentions him among those who held lectures at Olympia.[13]
In the dialogues of Plato he is mentioned or introduced with a certain degree of esteem, compared with the other
sophists.[14] Aristophanes, in The Clouds,[15] deals more indulgently with him than with Socrates; and Xenophon's
Socrates, for the purpose of combating the voluptuousness of Aristippus, borrows from the book of "the wise
Prodicus" the story of the choice of Hercules.[16] Like Protagoras and others, Prodicus delivered lectures in return for
payment[17] of from half a drachma to 50 drachmae, probably according to whether the hearers limited themselves to
a single lecture or a more complete course.[18] Prodicus is said to have amassed a great amount of money.[19] The
assertion that he hunted after rich young men, is only found in Philostratus.
Teachings
Prodicus was part of the first generation of Sophists. "He was a Sophist in the full sense of a professional freelance
educator."[20] As he taught both philosophy and politics,[21] so Plato represents his instructions as chiefly ethical,[22]
and gives preference to his distinction of ideas, such as courage, rashness, boldness, over similar attempts of other
sophists.[23] He sometimes gave individual show-orations, and though known to Callimachus, they do not appear to
have been long preserved. In contrast with Gorgias and others, who boasted of possessing the art of making the small
appear great, the great small, and of expatiating in long or short speeches, Prodicus required that the speech should
be neither long nor short, but of the proper measure,[24] and it is only as associated with other sophists that he is
charged with endeavouring to make the weaker cause appear strong by means of his rhetoric.[25]
Linguistics
Several of Plato's dialogues focus upon Prodicus' linguistic theory, and his insistence upon the correct use of names.
He paid special attention to the correct use of words,[26] and the distinction of expressions related in sense.[27]
Thucydides is said to have gained from him his accuracy in the use of words.[28] In the Cratylus,[29] Socrates jokes
that if he could have afforded the fifty drachma lectures he would now be an expert on "the correctness of names." In
several of the Platonic dialogues Socrates appears as the friend and companion of Prodicus, which reveals at least
that the two did have close personal relations, and that Socrates did attend at least a few of his lectures. "For
Socrates, correct language was the prerequisite for correct living (including an efficient government). But Prodicus,
though his linguistic teaching undoubtedly included semantic distinctions between ethical terms, had stopped at the
threshold. The complete art of logoi embraced nothing less than the whole of philosophy." [30]
Ethics
The speech on the choice of Hercules[31] was entitled Horai (Ancient Greek: Ὧραι).[32] Hercules, as he was entering
manhood, had to choose one of the two paths of life, that of virtue and that of vice. There appeared two women, the
one of dignified beauty, adorned with purity, modesty, and discretion, the other of a voluptuous form, and
meretricious look and dress. The latter promises to lead him by the shortest road, without any toil, to the enjoyment
of every pleasure. The other, while she reminds him of his progenitors and his noble nature, does not conceal from
him that the gods have not granted what is really beautiful and good apart from trouble and careful striving. While
one seeks to deter him from the path of virtue by urging the difficulty of it; the other calls attention to the unnatural
character of enjoyment which anticipates the need of it, its want of the highest joy, that arising from noble deeds, and
the consequences of a life of voluptuousness, and how she herself, honoured by gods and men, leads to all noble
157
Prodicus
works, and to true well-being in all circumstances of life. Hercules decides for virtue. This outline in Xenophon
probably represents, in a very abbreviated form, the leading ideas of the original, of which no fragments remain.
Another speech, apparently by Prodicus, is mentioned in the spurious Platonic dialogue Eryxias. Prodicus undertakes
to show that the value of external goods depends simply upon the use which is made of them, and that virtue must be
learnt. Similar sentiments were expressed in Prodicus's Praise of Agriculture.[33] The spurious dialogue Axiochus
attributes to him views respecting the worthlessness of earthly life in different ages and callings, and how we must
long after freedom from connection with the body in the heavenly and cognate aether. Also found here is a doctrine
that death is not to be feared, as it affects neither the living nor the departed.[34]
Naturalism
Prodicus, like some of his fellow Sophists, interpreted religion through the framework of naturalism. The gods he
regarded as personifications of the sun, moon, rivers, fountains, and whatever else contributes to the comfort of our
life,[35] and he was sometimes charged with atheism.[36] "His theory was that primitive man was so impressed with
the gifts nature provided him for the furtherance of his life that he believed them to be the discovery of gods or
themselves to embody the godhead. This theory was not only remarkable for its rationalism but for its discernment of
a close connection between religion and agriculture." [37]
References
[1] Plato, Protagoras, 316d; Suda, Prodicus
[2] Plato, Protagoras, 339c, 340e, 341b
[3] Plato, Hippias Major 282, comp. Philostratus Vit. Soph. i. 12
[4] Plato, Protag. 316a; Philostratus, Vit. Soph. i. 12
[5] Plutarch, an seni ger. sit Resp. c. 15
[6] Plato, Protag. 315d
[7] Philost. Vit. Soph. i. 12
[8] Aristophanes, 1. 360
[9] Plato, Hipp. Maj. 282.
[10] Aeschines in Athenenaeus, v. 220b.; Scholium ad Aristophanes, Nub. 360
[11] Dionys. Hal. Isocr. 1; Photius, cod. 260
[12] Plato, Apology, 19. c.
[13] Lucian, Vit. Herod, c. 3
[14] Plato, Hipp. Maj. 282, Theaet. 151b, Phaedo, 60, Protag. 341a, Charmid. 163d, Meno, 96, Cratyl. 384b., Symp. 177, Euthyd. 305
[15] Aristophanes, 1. 360
[16] Xenophon, Memor. ii. 1. § 21
[17] Xenophon, Mem. ii. 1. § 21, comp. Philostratus; Diogenes Laertius, ix. 50; Plato, Prot. 314b
[18] Pseudo-Plato, Axioch. 6; Plato, Cratyl. 384b.; Aristotle, Rhet. iii. 14. § 9; Suda, Prodicus
[19] Plato, Hipp. Maj. 282d; Xenophon, Symp. iv. 62, i. 5
[20] Guthrie, William. The Sophists. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1971. ISBN 0-521-09666-9. p. 275.
[21] Plato, Euthyd. 305c
[22] Plato, Meno, 96d; comp. de Rep. x. 600e
[23] Plato, Lach. 197c
[24] Plato, Phaed. 267a; comp. Gorg. 449c, Prot. 334e, 335b, 338d; Aristotle, Rhet. iii. 17
[25] Cicero, Brut. c. 8.
[26] Plato, Euthyd. 187e, Cratyl. 384b, comp. Galen, in Hippocr. de Articul. iv. p. 461. 1
[27] Plato, Lach. 197d, Prot. 340a, 341a, Charmid. 163d, Meno, 75c, comp. Themistius, Orat. iv. p. 113
[28] Marcell. Vit. Thuc.; comp. Scholium ap. Hemsterhus. Annot. in Lucian., App. 3; Maxim. Tyr. Dissert. vii.
[29] Plato, Cratylus, 384b
[31] Philostratus, p. 496; Xenophon, Mem. ii. 1. § 21
[32] Suda, Horai, Prodicus; Scholium ad Aristoph. Nub. 1. 360. The meaning of the title is obscure.
[33] Themistius, Orat. 30
[34] comp. Stobaeus, Serm. xx. 35
[35] Sextus Empiricus, adv. Math. i. 52; Cicero, de Nat. Deor. i. 42
158
Prodicus
[36] Cicero, de Nat. Deor. i. 55
• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology
by William Smith (1870).
159
160
The Seven Sages
The Seven Sages (of Greece) or Seven Wise Men (Greek: οἱ ἑπτὰ
σοφοί, hoi hepta sophoi; c. 620 BCE–550 BCE) was the title given by
ancient Greek tradition to seven early 6th century BCE philosophers,
statesmen and law-givers who were renowned in the following
centuries for their wisdom.
The Seven Sages
Traditionally, each of the seven sages represents an aspect of worldly
wisdom which is summarized an aphorism. Although the list of sages
sometimes varies, the ones usually included are the following:
The Seven Sages, depicted in the Nuremberg
Chronicle
• Cleobulus of Lindos: "Moderation is the best thing." He governed as tyrant of Lindos, in the Greek island of
Rhodes, circa 600 BC.
• Solon of Athens: "Keep everything with moderation." Solon (640-559 BC) was a famous legislator and reformer
from Athens, framing the laws shaped the Athenian democracy.
• Chilon of Sparta: "You should not desire the impossible." Chilon was a Spartan politician from the 6th century
BC, to whom the militarization of Spartan society was attributed .
• Bias of Priene: "Most men are bad." Bias was a politician and legislator the 6th century BC.
• Thales of Miletus: Thales is the first well-known philosopher and mathematician. His advice, "Know thyself," was
engraved on the front façade of the Oracle of Apollo in Delphi.
• Pittacus of Mytilene (c. 650 BC), governed Mytilene (Lesbos) along with Myrsilus. He tried to reduce the power
of the nobility and was able to govern with the support of the popular classes, whom he favoured. He famously
said "You should know which opportunities to choose."
• Periander of Corinth: he was the tyrant of Corinth in the 7th and 6th centuries BC. Under his rule, Corinth knew a
golden age of unprecedented stability. He was known saying "Be farsighted with everything."
Sources and legends
The oldest[1] explicit mention on record of a standard list of seven sages is in Plato's Protagoras, where Socrates
says:
“
...There some, both at present and of old, who recognized that Spartanizing is much more a love of wisdom than a love of physical exercise,
knowing that the ability to utter such [brief and terse] remarks belongs to a perfectly educated man. Among these were Thales of Miletus, and
Pittacus of Mytilene, and Bias of Priene, and our own Solon, and Cleobulus of Lindus, and Myson of Chen, and the seventh of them was said
to be Chilon of Sparta. They all emulated and admired and were students of Spartan education, could tell their wisdom was of this sort by the
brief but memorable remarks they each uttered when they met and jointly the first fruits of their wisdom to Apollo in his shrine at Delphi,
writing what is on every man's lips: Know thyself, and Nothing too much. Why do I say this? Because this was the manner of philosophy
[2]
among the ancients, a kind of laconic brevity.
”
The passage in which the above occurs is "elaborately ironical"; so it is unclear which of its aspects may be taken
seriously,[3] although Diogenes Laertius later confirms that there were indeed seven such individuals who were held
in high esteem for their wisdom well before Plato's time. According to Demetrius Phalereus, it was during the
archonship of Damasias (582/1 BCE) that the seven first become known as "the wise men", Thales being the first so
acknowledged.[4]
Diogenes points out, however, that there was among his sources great disagreement over which figures should be
counted among the seven.[5] Perhaps the two most common substitutions were to exchange Periander or Anacharsis
for Myson. On Diogenes' first list of seven, which he introduces with the words "These men are acknowledged
wise," Periander appears instead of Myson[6] ; the same substitution appears in The Masque of the Seven Sages by
Ausonius.[7] Both Ephorus[5] and Plutarch (in his Banquet of the Seven Sages) substituted Anacharsis for Myson.
Diogenes Laertius further states that Dicaearchus gave ten possible names,[5] Hippobotus suggested twelve names,[8]
and Hermippus enumerated seventeen possible sages from which different people made different selections of
seven.[8] Leslie Kurke contends that "Aesop was a popular contender for inclusion in the group"; an epigram of the
6th century CE poet Agathias (Palatine Anthology 16.332) refers to a statue of the Seven Sages, with Aesop standing
before them.[9]
Later tradition ascribed to each sage a pithy saying of his own, but ancient as well as modern scholars have doubted
the legitimacy of such ascriptions.[10] A compilation of 147 maxims, inscribed at Delphi, was preserved by the fifth
century CE scholar Stobaeus as "Sayings of the Seven Sages,"[11] but "the actual authorship of the...maxims set up
on the Delphian temple may be left uncertain. Most likely they were popular proverbs, which tended later to be
attributed to particular sages."[12]
In addition to being credited for pithy sayings, the wise men were also apparently famed for practical inventions; in
Plato's Republic (600a), it is said that it "befits a wise man" to have "many inventions and useful devices in the crafts
or sciences" attributed to him, citing Thales and Anacharsis the Scythian as examples.
According to a number of moralistic stories, there was a golden tripod (or, in some versions of the story, a bowl or
cup) which was to be given to the wisest. Allegedly, it passed in turn from one of the seven sages to another,
beginning with Thales, until one of them (either Thales or Solon, depending on the story) finally dedicated it to
Apollo who was held to be wisest of all.[13]
According to Diogenes, Dicaearchus claimed that the Seven "were neither wise men nor philosophers, but merely
shrewd men, who had studied legislation."[14] And according to at least one modern scholar, the claim is correct:
"With the exception of Thales, no one whose life is contained in [Diogenes'] Book I [i.e. none of the above] has any
claim to be styled a philosopher."[15]
References
[1] A. Griffiths, "Seven Sages", in Oxford Classical Dictionary (3rd ed.).
[2] Protagoras 342e-343b, trans. R.E. Allen.
[3] p. 156, James Adam, Platonis Protagoras, Cambridge University Press, 1893; p. 83, C.C.W. Taylor, Plato: Protagoras, Oxford University
Press, 2002. The words "elaborately ironical" are Adam's.
[4] Kirk, Raven, & Schofield, The Presocratic Philosophers (Cambridge, 1983, 2nd edition), p. 76, citing Diogenes Laertius, i. 22.
[5] Diogenes Laertius, i. 41
[7] Ausonius, The Masque of the Seven Sages (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ deciausonius01ausouoft#page/ 310/ mode/ 2up)
[9] Leslie Kurke, Aesopic Conversations: Popular Tradition, Cultural Dialogue, and the Invention of Greek Prose, Princeton University Press,
2010, pp. 131-2, 135.
[10] H. Parke and D. Wormell, The Delphic Oracle, (Basil Blackwell, 1956), vol. 1, pp. 387-389.
[11] Kurke, p. 109.
[12] Parke & Wormell, p. 389.
[13] Diogenes Laertius i. 27ff.; R. Martin, "Seven Sages", Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy (ed. D. Zeyl, 1997), p. 487; Parke & Wormell,
pp. 387-388
[14] Diogenes Laertius, i. 40.
[15] p. 42 note a, R. Hicks, Diogenes Laertius: Lives of Eminent Philosophers, vol. 1, Harvard University Press, 1925.
161
External links
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, Book I - The Seven Sages, translated by Robert Drew
Hicks (1925).
• Plutarch's The Dinner of the Seven Wise Men (http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/
Plutarch/Moralia/Dinner_of_the_Seven*.html), in the Loeb Classical Library.
• Seven Sages of Greece (http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/LX/SevenSagesOfGreece.html) with illustrations
and further links.
• Jona Lendering's article Seven Sages (http://www.livius.org/se-sg/7sages/seven_sages.html) includes a chart
of various canonical lists.
1. Numbered list item
Solon
Solon (ancient Greek: Σόλων, c. 638 BC – 558 BC) was an Athenian
statesman, lawmaker, and poet. He is remembered particularly for his
efforts to legislate against political, economic and moral decline in
archaic Athens. His reforms failed in the short term yet he is often
credited with having laid the foundations for Athenian democracy.[1] [2]
[3] [4]
Knowledge of Solon is limited by the lack of documentary and
archeological evidence covering Athens in the early 6th century BC.[5]
[6]
He wrote poetry for pleasure, as patriotic propaganda, and in
defence of his constitutional reforms. His works only survive in
fragments. They appear to feature interpolations by later authors and it
is possible that fragments have been wrongly attributed to him (see
Solon the reformer and poet). Ancient authors such as Herodotus and
Plutarch are the main source of information, yet they wrote about
Solon hundreds of years after his death, at a time when history was by
no means an academic discipline (see Anecdotes). Fourth century
orators, such as Aeschines, tended to attribute to Solon all the laws of
Bust titled 'Solon' (National Museum, Naples).
their own, much later times.[7] Archaeology reveals glimpses of Solon's
This realistic representation of Solon bears little
period in the form of fragmentary inscriptions but little else. For some
resemblance to the kind of sculpture that was
scholars, our 'knowledge' of Solon and his times is largely a fictive
produced in the archaic age.
[8] [9]
construct based on insufficient evidence
while others believe a
substantial body of real knowledge is still attainable.[10] Solon and his times can appear particularly interesting to
students of history as a test of the limits and nature of historical argument.[11]
Background to Solon's reforms
During Solon's time, many Greek city-states had seen the emergence of tyrants, opportunistic noblemen who had
grabbed power on behalf of sectional interests. In Sicyon, Cleisthenes had usurped power on behalf
162
Solon
of an Ionian minority. In Megara, Theagenes had come to power as an
enemy of the local oligarchs. The son-in-law of Theagenes, an
Athenian nobleman named Cylon, made an unsuccessful attempt to
seize power in Athens in 632 BC. Solon, on the other hand, appears to
have been temporarily awarded autocratic powers by his fellow
citizens on the grounds that he had the wisdom to sort out their
differences for them in a peaceful and equitable manner.[12] According
to ancient sources,[13] [14] he obtained these powers when he was
elected eponymous archon (594/3 BC). Some modern scholars believe
these powers were in fact granted some years after Solon had been
archon, when he would have been a member of the Areopagus and
probably a more respected statesman by his (aristocratic) peers.[15] [16]
163
Head of a kouros from Athens, dated to around
Solon's time.
[17]
The social and political upheavals that characterised Athens in Solon's time have been variously interpreted by
historians from ancient times to the present day. Two contemporary historians have identified three distinct historical
accounts of Solon's Athens, emphasizing quite different rivalries: economic and ideological rivalry, regional rivalry
and rivalry between aristocratic clans.[18] [19] These different accounts provide a convenient basis for an overview of
the issues involved.
• Economic and ideological rivalry is a common theme in
ancient sources. This sort of account emerges from Solon's
poems (e.g. see below Solon the reformer and poet), in which
he casts himself in the role of a noble mediator between two
intemperate and unruly factions. This same account is
substantially taken up about three centuries later by the author
of the Athenaion Politeia but with an interesting variation:
"...there was conflict between the nobles and the common
people for an extended period. For the constitution they were
under was oligarchic in every respect and especially in that the
poor, along with their wives and children, were in slavery to the
rich...All the land was in the hands of a few. And if men did not
pay their rents, they themselves and their children were liable to
Athens controlled an unusually large territory by Greek
be seized as slaves. The security for all loans was the debtor's
standards. (Click to enlarge the picture)
person up to the time of Solon. He was the first champion of the
people."[20]
Here Solon is presented as a partisan in a democratic cause whereas, judged from the viewpoint of his own
poems, he was instead a mediator between rival factions. A still more significant variation in the ancient historical
account appears in the writing of Plutarch in the late 1st-early 2nd century AD:
'Athens was torn by recurrent conflict about the constitution. The city was divided into as many parties as there
were geographical divisions in its territory. For the party of the people of the hills was most in favour of
democracy, that of the people of the plain was most in favour of oligarchy, while the third group, the people of the
coast, which preferred a mixed form of constitution somewhat between the other two, formed an obstruction and
prevented the other groups from gaining control.'[21]
The ancient historical account here demonstrates a more sophisticated understanding of political process - what
were two sides in Solon's account have now become three parties, each with a regional base and a constitutional
Solon
platform. Plutarch then goes on to repeat the usual ancient account with its brutal landlords on one side and
wretched tenants on the other. But how does this melodramatic struggle between haves and have-nots fit into a
picture of three regional groupings?
• Regional rivalry is a theme commonly found among modern scholars.[22] [23] [24] [25]
'The new picture which emerged was one of strife between regional groups, united by local loyalties and led by
wealthy landowners. Their goal was control of the central government at Athens and with it dominance over their
rivals from other districts of Attika.'[26]
Regional factionalism was inevitable in a relatively large territory such as Athens possessed. In most Greek city
states, a farmer could conveniently reside in town and travel to and from his fields every day. According to
Thucydides, on the other hand, most Athenians continued to live in rural settlements right up until the
Peloponnesian War.[27] The effects of regionalism in a large territory could be seen in Laconia, where Sparta had
gained control through intimidation and resettlement of some of its neighbours and enslavement of the rest. Attika
in Solon's time seemed to be moving towards a similarly ugly solution with many citizens in danger of being
reduced to the status of helots.[28]
• Rivalry between clans is a theme recently developed by some scholars, based on an appreciation of the political
significance of kinship groupings.[26] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] According to this account, bonds of kinship rather than
local loyalties were the decisive influence on events in archaic Athens. An Athenian belonged not only to a phyle
or tribe and one of its subdivisions, the phratry or brotherhood, but also to an extended family, clan or genos. It
has been argued that these interconnecting units of kinship reinforced a hierarchic structure with aristocratic clans
at the top.[18] [34] Thus rivalries between aristocratic clans could engage all levels of society irrespective of any
regional ties. In that case, the struggle between rich and poor was the struggle between powerful aristocrats and
the weaker affiliates of their rivals or perhaps even with their own rebellious affiliates.
The historical account of Solon's Athens has evolved over many centuries into a set of contradictory stories or a
complex story that might be interpreted in a variety of ways. As further evidence accumulates, and as historians
continue to debate the issues, Solon's motivations and the intentions behind his reforms will continue to attract
speculation (see for example John Bintliff's 'Solon's Reforms: an archaeological perspective':[35] and other essays
published with it[36] ).
Solon's reforms
Solon's laws were inscribed on large wooden slabs or cylinders
attached to a series of axles that stood upright in the Prytaneum.[37] [38]
These axones appear to have operated on the same principle as a Lazy
Susan, allowing both convenient storage and ease of access. Originally
the axones recorded laws enacted by Draco in the late 7th Century
(traditionally 621 BC). Nothing of Draco's codification has survived
except for a law relating to homicide, yet there is consensus among
scholars that it did not amount to anything like a constitution.[39] [40]
Solon, depicted with pupils in an Islamic
miniature
Solon repealed all Draco's laws except those relating to homicide.[41]
[42]
Fragments of the axones were still visible in Plutarch's time
but
today the only records we have of Solon's laws are fragmentary quotes and comments in literary sources such as
those written by Plutarch himself. Moreover, the language of his laws was archaic even by the standards of the fifth
century and this caused interpretational problems for ancient commentators.[43] Modern scholars doubt the reliability
of these sources and our knowledge of Solon's legislation is therefore actually very limited in its details.
Generally, Solon's reforms appear to have been constitutional, economic and moral in their scope. This distinction,
though somewhat artificial, does at least provide a convenient framework within which to consider the laws that
have been attributed to Solon. Some short term consequences of his reforms are considered at the end of the section.
164
Solon
165
Constitutional reform
Previous to Solon's reforms, the Athenian state was administered by nine archons appointed or elected annually by
the Areopagus on the basis of noble birth and wealth.[44] [45] The Areopagus comprised former archons and it
therefore had, in addition to the power of appointment, extraordinary influence as a consultative body. The nine
archons took the oath of office while ceremonially standing on a stone in the agora, declaring their readiness to
dedicate a golden statue if they should ever be found to have violated the laws.[46] [47] There was an assembly of
Athenian citizens (the Ekklesia) but the lowest class (the Thetes) was not admitted and its deliberative procedures
were controlled by the nobles.[48] There therefore seemed to be no means by which an archon could be called to
account for breach of oath unless the Areopagus favoured his prosecution.
According to Aristotle, Solon legislated for all citizens to be admitted into the Ekklesia[49] and for a court (the
Heliaia) to be formed from all the citizens.[50] The Heliaia appears to have been the Ekklesia, or some representative
portion of it, sitting as a jury.[51] [52] By giving common people the power not only to elect officials but also to call
them to account, Solon appears to have established the foundations of a true democracy. However some scholars
have doubted whether Solon actually included the Thetes in the Ekklesia, this being considered too bold a move for
any aristocrat in the archaic period.[53] Ancient sources[54] [55] credit Solon with the creation of a Council of Four
Hundred, drawn from the four Athenian tribes to serve as a steering committee for the enlarged Ekklesia. However,
many modern scholars have doubted this also.[56] [57]
There is consensus among scholars that Solon broadened the financial and social qualifications required for election
to public office. The Solonian constitution divided citizens into four political classes defined according to assessable
property[49] [58] a classification that might previously have served the state for military or taxation purposes only.[59]
The standard unit for this assessment was one medimnos (approximately 12 gallons) of cereals and yet the kind of
classification set out below might be considered too simplistic to be historically accurate.[60]
• Pentacosiomedimnoi
• valued at 500 medimnoi of cereals annually.
• eligible to serve as Strategoi (Generals)
• Hippeis
• valued at 300 medimnoi production annually.
• approximating to the mediaeval class of knights,
they had enough wealth to equip themselves for
the Cavalry
• Zeugitai
• valued at a 200 medimnoi production annually.
• approximating to the mediaeval class of Yeoman,
they had enough wealth to equip themselves for
the infantry (Hoplite)
The Areopagus, as viewed from the Acropolis, is a monolith where
Athenian aristocrats decided important matters of state during
Solon's time.
• Thetes
• valued 199 medimnoi annually or less
• manual workers or sharecroppers, they served voluntarily in the role of batman, or as auxiliaries armed for
instance with the sling or as rowers in the Navy.
According to Aristotle, only the Pentacosiomedimnoi were eligible for election to high office as archons and
therefore only they gained admission into the Areopagus.[61] A modern view affords the same privilege to the
hippeis.[62] The top three classes were eligible for a variety of lesser posts and only the Thetes were excluded from
all public office.
Depending on how we interpret the historical facts known to us, Solon's constitutional reforms were either a radical
anticipation of democratic government, or they merely provided a plutocratic flavour to a stubbornly aristocratic
Solon
166
regime, or else the truth lies somewhere between these two extremes.[63]
Economic reform
Solon's economic reforms need to be understood in the context of the primitive, subsistence economy that prevailed
both before and after his time. Most Athenians were still living in rural settlements right up to the Peloponnesian
War.[64] Opportunities for trade even within the Athenian borders were limited. The typical farming family, even in
classical times, barely produced enough to satisfy its own needs.[65] Opportunities for international trade were
minimal. It has been estimated that, even in Roman times, goods rose 40% in value for every 100 miles they were
carried over land, but only 1.3% for the same distance they were carried by ship [66] and yet there is no evidence that
Athens possessed any merchant ships until around 525 BC.[67] Until then, the narrow warship doubled as a cargo
vessel. Athens, like other Greek city states in the 7th Century BC, was faced with increasing population pressures [68]
and by about 525 BC it was able to feed itself only in 'good years'.[69]
Solon's reforms can thus be seen to have taken place at a crucial period of economic transition, when a subsistence
rural economy increasingly required the support of a nascent commercial sector. The specific economic reforms
credited to Solon are these:
• Fathers were encouraged to find trades for their sons; if they did
not, there would be no legal requirement for sons to maintain their
fathers in old age.[70]
• Foreign tradesmen were encouraged to settle in Athens; those who
did would be granted citizenship, provided they brought their
families with them.[71]
• Cultivation of olives was encouraged; the export of all other
produce was prohibited.[72]
This is one of the earliest known coins. It was
minted in the early 6th century BC in Lydia, one
of the world's then 'superpowers'. Coins such as
this might have made their way to Athens in
Solon's time but it is unlikely that Athens had its
own coinage at this period.
• Competitiveness of Athenian commerce was promoted through
revision of weights and measures, possibly based on successful
standards already in use elsewhere, such as Aegina or Euboia[73] [74]
or, according to the ancient account but unsupported by modern scholarship, Argos[75]
It is generally assumed, on the authority of ancient commentators [76] [77] that Solon also reformed the Athenian
coinage. However, recent numismatic studies now lead to the conclusion that Athens probably had no coinage until
around 560 BC, well after Solon's reforms.[78]
Solon's economic reforms succeeded in stimulating foreign trade. Athenian black-figure pottery was exported in
increasing quantities and good quality throughout the Aegean between 600 BC and 560 BC, a success story that
coincided with a decline in trade in Corinthian pottery.[79] The ban on the export of grain might be understood as a
relief measure for the benefit of the poor. However, the encouragement of olive production for export could actually
have led to increased hardship for many Athenians since it would have led to a reduction in the amount of land
dedicated to grain. Moreover an olive produces no fruit for the first six years.[80] The real motives behind Solon's
economic reforms are therefore as questionable as his real motives for constitutional reform. Were the poor being
forced to serve the needs of a changing economy, or was the economy being reformed to serve the needs of the poor?
Moral reform
In his poems, Solon portrays Athens as being under threat from the unrestrained greed and arrogance of its
citizens.[81] Even the earth (Gaia), the mighty mother of the gods, had been enslaved.[82] The visible symbol of this
perversion of the natural and social order was a boundary marker called a horos, a wooden or stone pillar indicating
that a farmer was in debt or under contractual obligation to someone else, either a noble patron or a creditor.[83] Up
until Solon's time, land was the inalienable property of a family or clan [84] and it could not be sold or mortgaged.
This was no disadvantage to a clan with large landholdings since it could always rent out farms in a sharecropping
Solon
167
system. A family struggling on a small farm however could not use the farm as security for a loan even if it owned
the farm. Instead the farmer would have to offer himself and his family as security, providing some form of slave
labour in lieu of repayment. Equally, a family might voluntarily pledge part of its farm income or labour to a
powerful clan in return for its protection. Farmers subject to these sorts of arrangements were loosely known as
hektemoroi [85] indicating that they either paid or kept a sixth of a farm's annual yield.[86] [87] [88] In the event of
'bankruptcy', or failure to honour the contract stipulated by the horoi, farmers and their families could in fact be sold
into slavery.
Solon's reform of these injustices was later known and
celebrated among Athenians as the Seisachtheia (shaking
off of burdens).[89] [90] As with all his reforms, there is
considerable scholarly debate about its real significance.
Many scholars are content to accept the account given by
the ancient sources, interpreting it as a cancellation of
debts, while others interpret it as the abolition of a type of
feudal relationship, and some prefer to explore new
possibilities for interpretation.[3] The reforms included:
• annulment of all contracts symbolised by the horoi.[91]
• prohibition on a debtor's person being used as security
for a loan.[92] [93]
• release of all Athenians who had been enslaved.[94]
The removal of the horoi clearly provided immediate
economic relief for the most oppressed group in Attica,
and it also brought an immediate end to the enslavement
of Athenians by their countrymen. Some Athenians had
already been sold into slavery abroad and some had fled
abroad to escape enslavement - Solon proudly records in
verse the return of this diaspora.[95] It has been cynically
observed, however, that few of these unfortunates were
likely to have been recovered.[96] It has been observed
also that the seisachtheia not only removed slavery and
accumulated debt, it also removed the ordinary farmer's
only means of obtaining further credit.[97]
This 6th Century Athenian black-figure urn, in the British
Museum, depicts the olive harvest. Many farmers, enslaved for
debt, would have worked on large estates for their creditors.
The seisachtheia however was merely one set of reforms within a broader agenda of moral reformation. Other
reforms included:
• the abolition of extravagant dowries.[98]
• legislation against abuses within the system of inheritance, specifically with relation to the epikleros (i.e. a female
who had no brothers to inherit her father's property and who was traditionally required to marry her nearest
paternal relative in order to produce an heir to her father's estate).[99]
• entitlement of any citizen to take legal action on behalf of another.[100] [101]
• the disenfranchisement of any citizen who might refuse to take up arms in times of civil strife, a measure that was
intended to counteract dangerous levels of political apathy.[102] [103] [104] [105] [106]
The personal modesty and frugality of the rich and powerful men of Athens in the city's subsequent golden age have
been attested to by Demosthenes.[107] Perhaps Solon, by both personal example and legislated reform, established a
precedent for this decorum. A heroic sense of civic duty later united Athenians against the might of the Persians.
Perhaps this public spirit was instilled in them by Solon and his reforms. Also see Solon and Athenian sexuality
Solon
168
The Aftermath of Solon's reforms
After completing his work of reform, Solon surrendered his extraordinary authority and left the country. According
to Herodotus [108] the country was bound by Solon to maintain his reforms for 10 years, whereas according to
Plutarch [42] and the author of Athenaion Politeia [109] (reputedly Aristotle) the contracted period was instead 100
years. A modern scholar [110] considers the time-span given by Herodotus to be historically accurate because it fits
the 10 years that Solon was said to have been absent from the country.[111] Within 4 years of Solon's departure, the
old social rifts re-appeared, but with some new complications. There were irregularities in the new governmental
procedures, elected officials sometimes refused to stand down from their posts and sometimes important posts were
left vacant. It has even been said that some people blamed Solon for their troubles.[112] Eventually one of Solon's
relatives, Pisistratus, ended the factionalism by force, thus instituting an unconstitutionally gained tyranny. In
Plutarch's account, Solon accused Athenians of stupidity and cowardice for allowing this to happen.[113]
Solon the reformer and poet
Solon was the first of the Athenian poets whose work has survived to
the present day. His verses have come down to us in fragmentary
quotations by ancient authors such as Plutarch and Demosthenes [114]
who used them to illustrate their own arguments. It is possible that
some fragments have been wrongly attributed to him [115] and some
scholars have detected interpolations by later authors.[116]
The literary merit of Solon's verse is generally considered
unexceptional. Solon the poet can be said to appear 'self-righteous' and
'pompous' at times [117] and he once composed an elegy with moral
advice for a more gifted elegiac poet, Mimnermus. Most of the extant
verses show him writing in the role of a political activist determined to
assert personal authority and leadership. According to Plutarch [118]
however, Solon originally wrote poetry for amusement, discussing
pleasure in a popular rather than philosophical way. Solon's elegiac
style is said to have been influenced by the example of Tyrtaeus.[119]
He also wrote iambic and trochaic verses which, according to one
modern scholar,[120] are more lively and direct than his elegies and
possibly paved the way for the iambics of Athenian drama.
Solon, depicted as a medieval scholar in the
Nuremberg Chronicle
Solon's verses are mainly significant for historical rather than aesthetic reasons, as a personal record of his reforms
and attitudes. However, poetry is not an ideal genre for communicating facts and very little detailed information can
be derived from the surviving fragments [121] According to Solon the poet, Solon the reformer was a voice for
political moderation in Athens at a time when his fellow citizens were increasingly polarized by social and economic
differences:
πολλοὶ γὰρ πλουτεῦσι κακοί, ἀγαθοὶ δὲ πένονται:
ἀλλ' ἡμεῖς αὐτοῖς οὐ διαμειψόμεθα
τῆς ἀρετῆς τὸν πλοῦτον: ἐπεὶ τὸ μὲν ἔμπεδον αἰεί,
χρήματα δ' ἀνθρώπων ἄλλοτε ἄλλος ἔχει.
Some wicked men are rich, some good are poor;
We will not change our virtue for their store:
Virtue's a thing that none can take away,
But money changes owners all the day.[122]
Solon
169
Here translated by the English poet John Dryden, Solon's words define a 'moral high ground' where differences
between rich and poor can be reconciled or maybe just ignored. His poetry indicates that he attempted to use his
extraordinary legislative powers to establish a peaceful settlement between the country's rival factions:
ἔστην δ' ἀμφιβαλὼν κρατερὸν σάκος ἀμφοτέροισι: νικᾶν δ' οὐκ εἴασ' οὐδετέρους ἀδίκως.
Before them both I held my shield of might
And let not either touch the other's right.[58]
His attempts evidently were misunderstood:
χαῦνα μὲν τότ' ἐφράσαντο, νῦν δέ μοι χολούμενοι
λοξὸν ὀφθαλμοῖς ὁρῶσι πάντες ὥστε δήϊον.
Formerly they boasted of me vainly; with averted eyes
Now they look askance upon me; friends no more but enemies.[123]
Solon gave voice to Athenian 'nationalism', particularly in the city state's struggle with Megara, its neighbour and
rival in the Saronic Gulf. Plutarch professes admiration of Solon's elegy urging Athenians to recapture the island of
Salamis from Megarian control.[124] The same poem was said by Diogenes Laertios [125] to have stirred Athenians
more than any other verses that Solon wrote:
Let us go to Salamis to fight for the island
We desire, and drive away our bitter shame!
[126]
It is possible that Solon backed up this poetic bravado with true valour on the battlefield.[127]
Solon and Athenian sexuality
As a regulator of Athenian society, Solon, according to some authors, also formalized its sexual mores. According to
a surviving fragment from a work ("Brothers") by the comic playwright Philemon,[128] Solon established publicly
funded brothels at Athens in order to "democratize" the availability of sexual pleasure.[129] While the veracity of this
comic account is open to doubt, at least one modern author considers it significant that in Classical Athens, three
hundred or so years after the death of Solon, there existed a discourse that associated his reforms with an increased
availability of heterosexual pleasure.[130]
Ancient authors also say that Solon regulated pederastic relationships in Athens; this has been presented as an
adaption of custom to the new structure of the polis.[131] [132] According to various authors, ancient lawgivers (and
therefore Solon by implication) drew up a set of laws that were intended to promote and safeguard the institution of
pederasty and to control abuses against freeborn boys. In particular, the orator Aeschines cites laws excluding slaves
from wrestling halls and forbidding them to enter pederastic relationships with the sons of citizens.[133] Accounts of
Solon's laws by 4th Century orators like Aeschines, however, are considered unreliable for a number of reasons;[7]
[134] [135]
Attic pleaders did not hesitate to attribute to him (Solon) any law which suited their case, and later
writers had no criterion by which to distinguish earlier from later works. Nor can any complete and
authentic collection of his statutes have survived for ancient scholars to consult.[136]
Besides the alleged legislative aspect of Solon's involvement with pederasty, there were also suggestions of personal
involvement. According to some ancient authors Solon had taken the future tyrant Peisistratus as his eromenos.
Solon
170
Aristotle, writing around 330BC, attempted to refute that belief, claiming that "those are manifestly talking nonsense
who pretend that Solon was the lover of Peisistratus, for their ages do not admit of it," as Solon was about thirty
years older than Peisistratus.[137] Nevertheless the tradition persisted. Four centuries later Plutarch ignored Aristotle's
skepticism[138] and recorded the following anecdote, supplemented with his own conjectures:
And they say Solon loved [Peisistratus]; and that is the reason, I suppose, that when afterwards they
differed about the government, their enmity never produced any hot and violent passion, they
remembered their old kindnesses, and retained "Still in its embers living the strong fire" of their love and
dear affection.[139]
A century after Plutarch, Aelian also said that Peistratus had been Solon's eromenos. Despite its persistence,
however, it is not known whether the account is historical or fabricated. It has been suggested that the tradition
presenting a peaceful and happy coexistence between Solon and Peisistratus was cultivated during the latter's
dominion, in order to legitimize his own rule, as well as that of his sons. Whatever its source, later generations lent
credence to the narrative.[140] Solon's presumed pederastic desire was thought in antiquity to have found expression
also in his poetry, which is today represented only in a few surviving fragments.[141] [142] The authenticity of all the
poetic fragments attributed to Solon is however uncertain - in particular, pederastic aphorisms ascribed by some
ancient sources to Solon have been ascribed by other sources to Theognis instead.[115] (See also Solon the reformer
and poet.)
Anecdotes
Details about Solon's personal life have been passed down to us by ancient authors such as Plutarch and Herodotus.
Herodotus is sometimes referred to both as 'the father of history' and 'the father of lies'.[143] Plutarch, by his own
admission, did not write histories so much as biographies; he believed that a jest or a phrase could reveal more about
a person's character than could a battle that cost thousands of lives.[144] A battle of course is a matter of historical
record; a jest or a phrase is not.
According to Plutarch, Solon was related to the tyrant Pisistratus (their mothers were cousins).[145] Solon's father
Execestides could trace his ancestry back to Codrus, the last King of Athens. Solon's family belonged to a noble or
Eupatrid clan yet it possessed only moderate wealth.[146] and Solon was therefore drawn into an unaristocratic
pursuit of commerce.[147] According to Diogenes Laertius, he had a brother named Dropidas and was an ancestor
(six generations removed) of Plato.[148]
Solon was given leadership of the Athenian war against Megara on the strength of a poem he wrote about Salamis
Island. Supported by Pisistratus, he defeated the Megarians either by means of a cunning trick [149] or more directly
through heroic battle.[150] The Megarians however refused to give up their claim to the island. The dispute was
referred to the Spartans, who eventually awarded possession of the island to Athens on the strength of the case that
Solon put to them.[151]
When he was archon, Solon discussed his intended reforms with some friends. Knowing that he was about to cancel
all debts, these friends took out loans and promptly bought some land. Suspected of complicity, Solon repaid the
loans himself, amounting to 5 talents (or 15 according to some sources).[152]
After he had finished his reforms, he travelled abroad for ten years, so that the Athenians could not induce him to
repeal any of his laws[153] . His first stop was Egypt. There, according to Herodotus he visited the Pharaoh of Egypt
Amasis II.[154] According to Plutarch he spent some time and discussed philosophy with two Egyptian priests,
Psenophis of Heliopolis and Sonchis of Sais.[155] According to Plato's dialogues Timaeus and Critias, he visited
Neith's temple at Sais and received from the priests there an account of the history of Atlantis. Next Solon sailed to
Cyprus, where he oversaw the construction of a new capital for a local king, in gratitude for which the king named it
Soloi.[156]
Solon
Solon's travels finally brought him to Sardis,
capital of Lydia. According to Herodotus and
Plutarch, he met with Croesus and gave the
Lydian king advice, which however Croesus
failed to appreciate until it was too late. Croesus
had considered himself to be the happiest man
alive and Solon had advised him, "Count no man
happy until he be dead", because at any minute,
fortune might turn on even the happiest man and
make his life miserable. It was only after he had
lost his kingdom to the Persian king Cyrus,
while awaiting execution, that Croesus
acknowledged the wisdom of Solon's advice.[157]
[158]
Croesus awaits fiery execution (Attic red-figure amphora, 500-490 BC,
After his return to Athens, Solon became a
Louvre G 197)
staunch opponent of Pisistratus. In protest and as
an example to others, Solon stood outside his
own home in full armour, urging all who passed to resist the machinations of the would-be tyrant. But his efforts
were in vain. Solon died shortly after Pisistratus usurped by force the autocratic power that Athens had once freely
bestowed upon him.[159] According to one account, he died in Cyprus and, in accordance with his will, his ashes
were scattered around Salamis, the island where he was born.[160] [161]
The travel writer, Pausanias, listed Solon among the seven sages whose aphorisms adorned Apollo's temple in
Delphi.[162] Stobaeus in the Florilegium relates a story about a symposium, where Solon's young nephew was
singing a poem of Sappho's; Solon, upon hearing the song, asked the boy to teach him to sing it. When someone
asked, "Why should you waste your time on it?" Solon replied ἵνα μαθὼν αὐτὸ ἀποθάνω, "So that I may learn it
then die."[163] Ammianus Marcellinus however told a similar story about Socrates and the poet Stesichorus, quoting
the philosopher's rapture in almost identical terms: "ut aliquid sciens amplius e vita discedam".[164]
Notes
[1] Stanton, G.R. Athenian Politics c800-500BC: A Sourcebook, Routledge, London (1990), p. 76.
[2] Andrews, A. Greek Society (Penguin 1967) 197
[3] E. Harris, A New Solution to the Riddle of the Seisachtheia, in 'The Development of the Polis in Archaic Greece', eds. L.Mitchell and
P.Rhodes (Routledge 1997) 103
[4] Aristotle Politics 1273b 35-1274a 21.
[5] Stanton G.R. Athenian Politics c800-500 BC: A Sourcebook, Routledge, London (1990), pp. 1-5.
[6] Aristotle Politics 1273b 35-1274a 21
[7] V.Ehrenberg, From Solon to Socrates: Greek History and Civilization, Routledge (1973) 71
[8] W.Connor et al. Aspects of Athenian Democracy (Copenhagen, Museum Tusculanam P., 1990) 71-99
[9] C.Mosse, Comment s'elabore un mythe politique: Solon Annales ESC XXXIV (1979) 425-437
[10] P.Rhodes, The Reforms and Laws of Solon The Wise: an optimistic view in 'Solon of Athens: new historical and philological approaches',
eds. J.Blok and A.Lardinois (Brill, Leiden 2006)
[11] Stanton G.R. Athenian Politics c800-500BC: A Sourcebook, Routledge, London (1990), page 2
[12] Plutarch Solon 14 s:Lives (Dryden translation)/Solon#14
[13] Plutarch Solon 14.3 s:Lives (Dryden translation)/Solon#14
[14] Athenaion Politeia 1.5 (e.g. Kenyon's translation s:Athenian Constitution#5)
[15] Stanton G.R. Athenian Politics c800-500BC: A Sourcebook, Routledge, London (1990), p. 36.
[16] Hignett C. A History of the Athenian Constitution to the End of the Fifth Century B.C. (Oxford 1952).
[17] Miller, M. Arethusa 4 (1971) 25-47.
[18] Stanton G.R. Athenian Politics c800-500BC: A Sourcebook, Routledge, London (1991), pp. 3-4.
171
Solon
[19] Walters, K.R., Geography and Kinship as Political Infrastructures in Archaic Athens (http:/ / www. uwo. ca/ english/ florilegium/ vol2/
walters. html)
[20] Athenaion Politeia 2.1 - 2.3 s:Athenian Constitution#2.
[22] B. Sealey, "Regionalism in Archaic Athens," Historia 9 (1960) 155-180.
[23] D.Lewis, "Cleisthenes and Attica," Historia 12 (1963) 22-40.
[24] P. Rhodes, A Commentary on the Aristotelian Athenian Politeia, Oxford Univ. Press (1981) 186.
[25] P. Rhodes, A History of the Greek City States, Berkeley (1976).
[26] Walters K.R. Geography and Kinship as Political Infrastructures in Archaic Athens (http:/ / www. uwo. ca/ english/ florilegium/ vol2/
walters. html)
[27] Thucydides 2.14 - 2.16.
[28] Andrews, A. Greek Society (Penguin 1967) 118.
[29] Stanton G.R. Athenian Politics c800-500BC: A Sourcebook, Routledge, London (1991), pages 3-4.
[30] Frost, "Tribal Politics and the Civic State," AJAH (1976) 66-75.
[31] Connor, The New Politicians of Fifth Century Athens, Princeton (1971) 11-14.
[32] Cary, Cambridge Ancient History, Cambridge Univ. Press (1925) 3:582-586.
[33] Ellis, J. and Stanton, G., Phoenix 22 (1968) 95-99.
[34] Walters, K.R., Geography and Kinship as Political Infrastructures in Archaic Athens (http:/ / www. uwo. ca/ english/ florilegium/ vol2/
walters. html).
[35] Solon's Reforms:an archeological perspective J.Bintliff, in Solon of Athens: new historical and philological approaches, eds. J. Blok and A.
Lardinois (Brill, Leiden 2006) (https:/ / openaccess. leidenuniv. nl/ dspace/ bitstream/ 1887/ 8303/ 1/ 1_036_145. pdf)
[36] Solon of Athens: new historical and philological approaches, eds. J. Blok and A. Lardinois (Brill, Leiden 2006).
[37] V.Ehrenberg, From Solon to Socrates: Greek History and Civilization, Routledge (1973) 71-72
[40] Oxford Classical Dictionary (1964), 'Draco'
[43] Andrews A. Greek Society (Penguin 1967) 114, 201
[44] Athenaion Politeia 3.6 s:Athenian Constitution#3
[46] Athenaion Politeia 7.1, 55.5 s:Athenian Constitution#7
[48] Stanton G.R. Athenian Politics c800-500BC: A Sourcebook, Routledge, London (1991), page 35, note 2
[50] Aristotle Politics 1274a 3, 1274a 15
[51] Ostwald M. From Popular Sovereignty to the Sovereignty of the Law: Law, Society and Politics in Fifth Century Athens (Berkeley 1986)
9-12, 35.
[52] Stanton G.R. Athenian Politics c800-500BC: A Sourcebook, Routledge, London (1990), page 67 note 2
[53] Hignett C. A History of the Athenian Constitution to the End of the Fifth Century B.C. (Oxford 1952) pages117-118
[56] Hignett C. A History of the Athenian Constitution to the End of the Fifth Century B.C. (Oxford 1952) 92-96
[60] V.Ehrenberg, From Solon to Socrates: Greek History and Civilization, Routledge (1973)
[61] Athenaion Politeia 7-8 s:Athenian Constitution#7
[62] Oxford Classical Dictionary (3rd edition 1996) Solon
[63] "In all areas then it was the work of Solon which was decisive in establishing the foundations for the development of a full democracy." —
Marylin B. Arthur, 'The Origins of the Western Attitude Toward Women', in Women in the Ancient World: The Arethusa Papers, John Patrick
Sullivan (ed.), State University of New York (1984), page 30.
"In making their own evaluation of Solon, the ancient sources concentrated on what were perceived to be the democratic features of the
constitution. But...Solon was given his extraordinary commission by the nobles, who wanted him to eliminate the threat that the position of the
nobles as a whole would be overthrown." — Stanton, G.R. Athenian Politics c800-500BC: A Sourcebook, Routledge, London (1990), p. 76.
[64] Thucydides 2.14 - 2.16
[65] Gallant T. Risk and Survival in Ancient Greece (Stanford, 1991), cited by Morris I. in The Growth of City States in the First Millennium BC
(Stanford, 2005) page 7 (http:/ / www. princeton. edu/ ~pswpc/ pdfs/ morris/ 120509. pdf)
172
Solon
[66] Laurence R. Land Transport in Rural Italy (Parkins and Smith, 1998), cited by Morris I. in The Growth of City States in the First
Millennium BC (Stanford, 2005) (http:/ / www. princeton. edu/ ~pswpc/ pdfs/ morris/ 120509. pdf)
[67] Morris I. The Growth of City States in the First Millennium BC (Stanford, 2005) page 12 (http:/ / www. princeton. edu/ ~pswpc/ pdfs/
morris/ 120509. pdf)
[68] Snodgrass A. Archaic Greece (London, 1980) cited by Morris I. in The Growth of City States in the First Millennium BC (Stanford, 2005)
page 11 (http:/ / www. princeton. edu/ ~pswpc/ pdfs/ morris/ 120509. pdf)
[69] Garnsey P. Famine and Food Supply in Graeco-Roman World (Cambridge, 1988) page 104, cited by Morris I. in The Growth of City States
in the First Millennium BC (Stanford, 2005) (http:/ / www. princeton. edu/ ~pswpc/ pdfs/ morris/ 120509. pdf)
[72] :31. Plutarch Solon 24.1 s:Lives (Dryden translation)/Solon#24
[73] V.Ehrenberg, From Solon to Socrates: Greek History and Civilization, Routledge (1973)73-74
[74] Stanton G.R. Athenian Politics c800-500BC: A Sourcebook, Routledge, London (1990), page 60-63
[75] Athenaion Politeia 10 s:Athenian Constitution#10
[77] Plutarch (quoting Androtion) Solon 15.2-5 s:Lives (Dryden translation)/Solon#15
[81] Demosthenes 19 (On the Embassy) 254-5
[82] Athenaion Politeia 12.4 (quoting Solon) s:Athenian Constitution#12
[83] Stanton G.R. Athenian Politics c800-500BC: A Sourcebook, Routledge, London (1991), pages 55-6 notes 3 and 4
[84] Innis H. Empire and Communications (Rowman and Littlefield, 2007) pages 91-92
[87] Kirk. G, Historia Vol. 26 (1977) 369-370
[88] Woodhouse W. Solon the Liberator: A Study of the Agrarian Problem in Attika in the Seventh Century (Oxford 1938)
[91] Athenaion Politeia 12.4, quoting Solon s:Athenian Constitution#12
[94] Athenaion Politeia 12.4, quoting Solon s:Athenian Constitution#12
[95] Solon quoted in Athenaion Politeia 12.4 s:Athenian Constitution#12
[96] Forrest G. The Oxford History of the Classical World ed Griffin J. and Murray O. (Oxford Uni Press, 1995) page 32
[97] Stanton G. Athenian Politics c800-500BC; a Sourcebook Routledge, London (1991) page 57 note 1
[99] Grant, Michael. The Rise of the Greeks. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1988 p. 49
[103] Stanton G.R. Athenian Politics c800-500BC; a Sourcebook Routledge, London (1991) page 72 note 17
[105] Goldstein J. Historia Vol. 21 (1972) 538-545.
[106] Develin R. Historia Vol. 26 (1977) 507-508.
[107] Demosthenes On Organization (http:/ / www. 4literature. net/ Demosthenes/ Oration_on_the_Regulation_of_the_State/ )
[108] :6. Herodotus 1.29 (e.g. Campbell's translation (http:/ / www. gutenberg. org/ etext/ 2707))
[110] Stanton G.R. Athenian Politics c800-55BC; a Sourcebook Routledge, London (1991) page 84
[114] Demosthenes 19 (On the Embassy) 254-5
[115] K.Hubbard, Homosexuality in Greece and Rome: a sourcebook of basic documents, Uni. California Press, 2003; p.36
[116] A.Lardinois, Have we Solon's verses? and E.Stehle, Solon's self-reflexive political persona and its audience, in 'Solon of Athens: new
historical and philological approaches', eds. J.Blok and A.Lardinois (Brill, Leiden 2006)
[117] Forrest G., The Oxford History of the Classical World, ed. Boardman J., Griffin J. and Murray O., Oxford Uni. Press (New York, 1995),
page 31
[118] Plutarch Solon 3.1-4 s:Lives (Dryden translation)/Solon#3
173
Solon
[119] Oxford Classical Dictionary (1964) Solon
[120] David.A.Cambell, Greek Lyric Poetry, Bristol Classical Press 1982, Intro. xxix
[121] Andrews A. Greek Society (Penguin 1981) 114
[125] Diogenes Laertios 1.47
[126] Solon, quoted in Diogenes Laertius 1.47
[128] Fr. 4
[129] Rachel Adams, David Savran, The Masculinity Studies Reader; Blackwell, 2002; p.74
[130] One Hundred Years of Homosexuality: And Other Essays on Greek Love, p.101
[131] Bernard Sergent, "Paederasty and Political Life in Archaic Greek Cities" in Gay Studies from the French Culture; Harrington Park Press,
Binghamton, NY 1993; pp.153-154
[132] Eros and Greek Athletics By Thomas Francis Scanlon, p.213 "So it is clear that Solon was responsible for institutionalizing pederasty to
some extent at Athens in the early sixth century."
[133] Aeschines, Against Timarchus 6, 25, 26 (http:/ / www. fordham. edu/ halsall/ pwh/ aeschines. html); compare also Plutarch, Solon 1.3.
[134] Kevin Robb, Literacy and Paideia in Ancient Greece, Ox. Uni.Press, 1994; p128,
[135] P.J.Rhodes, The Reforms and Laws of Solon: an Optimistic View, in 'Solon of Athens: new historical and philological approaches', eds.
J.Blok and A.Lardinois (Brill, Leiden 2006)
[136] Kevin Robb, Literacy and Paideia in Ancient Greece, Ox.Uni.Press 1994; p128 (quoting F.E.Adcock)
[137] Aristotle, The Athenian Constitution, 2.17
[138] Homosexuality & Civilization By Louis Crompton, p.25
[139] Plutarch, The Lives "Solon" Tr. John Dryden s:Lives (Dryden translation)/Solon
[140] Solon and Early Greek Poetry By Elizabeth Irwin p.272 n.24
[141] Ancient Greece By Matthew Dillon, Lynda Garland, p.475
[142] Nick Fisher, Against Timarchos, Oxford 2001; p.37
[143] Piper D. Herodotus: Father of History, Father of Lies (http:/ / www. loyno. edu/ history/ journal/ 1998-9/ Pipes. htm)
[144] Plutarch in his introduction to 'The Life of Alexander' (http:/ / www. siu. edu/ ~dfll/ classics/ Civ2004/ alia/ alexander. pdf)
[145] Plutarch Solon 1 s:Lives (Dryden translation)/Solon#1.
[147] Plutarch, Life of Solon, ch.2
[148] Diogenes Laertius, The Lives and Opinions of Famous Philosophers Plato, I.
[150] Plutarch Solon 9 s:Lives/Solon#9
[153] Herodotus, The Histories, Hdt. 1.29 (http:/ / www. perseus. tufts. edu/ hopper/ text?doc=Perseus:text:1999. 01. 0126:book=1:chapter=29)
[154] Herodotus, The Histories, Hdt. 1.30 (http:/ / www. perseus. tufts. edu/ hopper/ text?doc=Perseus:text:1999. 01. 0126:book=1:chapter=30)
[157] Herodotus 1.30.
[160] Diogenes Laertius 1.62
[161] I. M. Linforth, Solon the Athenian, University of California press (1919), p.308, Google Books link (http:/ / books. google. com/
books?id=ZwEdAAAAYAAJ& dq=solon+ place+ of+ death& source=gbs_navlinks_s)
[162] Pausanias 10.24.1 (e.g. Jones and Omerod trans. (http:/ / www. theoi. com/ Text/ Pausanias10B. html)).
[163] Stobaeus, III, 29, 58, taken from a lost work of Aelian.
[164] Ammianus Marcellinus 38.4
174
Solon
175
References
Literature
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A. Andrews, Greek Society, Penguin, 1967
J. Blok and A. Lardinois (eds), Solon of Athens: New Historical and Philological Approaches, Leiden, Brill, 2006
Cary, Cambridge Ancient History, Vol. III, Cambridge Uni. Press, 1925
Connor, The New Politicians of Fifth-Century Athens, Princeton, 1971
W. Connor et al. Aspects of Athenian Democracy, Copenhagen, Museum Tusculanam P., 1990
R. Develin, Historia, Vol. 26, 1977
V. Ehrenberg, From Solon to Socrates: Greek History and Civilization, Routledge, 1973
J. Ellis and G. Stanton, Phoenix, Vol. 22, 1968, 95-99
G. Forrest, 'Greece: The History of the Archaic Period', in The Oxford History of the Classical World, ed.
Boardman J., Griffin J. and Murray O., Oxford Uni. Press, New York, 1995
Frost, 'Tribal Politics and the Civic State', AJAH, 1976
P. Garnsey, Famine and Food Supply in Graeco-Roman World, Cambridge Uni. Press, 1988
J. Goldstein, Historia, Vol. 21, 1972
M. Grant, The Rise of the Greeks. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1988
• E. Harris, 'A New Solution to the Riddle of the Seisachtheia', in The Development of the Polis in Archaic Greece,
eds. L. Mitchell and P. Rhodes, Routledge, 1997
• C. Hignett, A History of the Athenian Constitution to the End of the Fifth Century B.C., Oxford, 1952
• K. Hubbard, Homosexuality in Greece and Rome: a sourcebook of basic documents, Uni. California Press, 2003
• H. Innis, Empire and Communications, Rowman and Littlefield, 2007
• G. Kirk, Historia, Vol. 26, 1977
• D. Lewis, 'Cleisthenes and Attica', Historia, 12, 1963
• M. Miller, Arethusa, Vol. 4, 1971
• I. Morris, The Growth of City States in the First Millennium BC, Stanford, 2005
• C. Mosse, 'Comment s'elabore un mythe politique: Solon', Annales, ESC XXXIV, 1979
• M. Ostwald, From Popular Sovereignty to the Sovereignty of the Law: Law, Society and Politics in Fifth-Century
Athens, Berkeley, 1986
• P. Rhodes, A History of the Greek City States, Berkeley, 1976
• P. Rhodes, A Commentary on the Aristotelian Athenian Politeia, Oxford Uni. Press, 1981
• K. Robb, Literacy and Paideia in Ancient Greece, Oxford Uni. Press, 1994
• B. Sealey, 'Regionalism in Archaic Athens', Historia, 9, 1960
• G. R. Stanton, Athenian Politics c. 800–500 BC: A Sourcebook, London, Routledge, 1990
• M. L. West (ed.), Iambi et elegi Graeci ante Alexandrum cantati2: Callinus. Mimnermus. Semonides. Solon.
Tyrtaeus. Minora adespota, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1972, revised edition, 1992
• W. Woodhouse, 'Solon the Liberator: A Study of the Agrarian Problem', in Attika in the Seventh Century, Oxford,
1938
Solon
176
Collections of Solon's surviving verses
• Martin Litchfield West, Iambi et elegi Graeci ante Alexandrum cantati2 : Callinus. Mimnermus. Semonides.
Solon. Tyrtaeus. Minora adespota,, Oxonii: e typographeo Clarendoniano 1972, revised edition 1992 x + 246 pp.
• T. Hudaon-Williams, Early Greek Elegy: Ekegiac Fragments of Callinus, Archilochus, Mimmermus, Tyrtaeus,
Solon, Xenophanes, and Others, # Taylor and Francis (1926), ISBN 0-8240-7773-3.
• Christoph Mülke, Solons politische Elegien und Iamben : (Fr. 1 - 13, 32 - 37 West), Munich (2002), ISBN
3-598-77726-4.
• Eberhard Ruschenbusch Nomoi : Die Fragmente d. Solon. Gesetzeswerkes, Wiesbaden : F. Steiner (1966).
• H. Miltner Fragmente / Solon, Vienna (1955)
• Eberhard Preime, Dichtungen : Sämtliche Fragmente / Solon Munich (1940).
External links
• Plutarch, Parallel Lives, Solon (http://classics.mit.edu/Plutarch/solon.html)
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Solon, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
Chilon of Sparta
Chilon of Sparta (Χίλων or Χείλων; 6th century BC) was a
Lacedaemonian and one of the Seven Sages of Greece.
Early life
Chilon was the son of Damagetus, and lived towards the beginning of
the 6th century BC.
Standing and influence
Herodotus[1] speaks of him as contemporary with Hippocrates, the
father of Peisistratus, and Diogenes Laertius states that he was an old
man in the 52nd Olympiad (572 BCE), and that he was elected of
ephor in Sparta in the 56th Olympiad (556/5 BC). Alcidamas stated
that he was a member of the Spartan assembly.[2] Diogenes Laertius
even goes so far as to claim that Chilon was also the first person who
introduced the custom of joining the ephors to the kings as their
counselors.[3]
Chilon of Sparta
Chilon is said to have helped to overthrow the tyranny at Sicyon, which became a Spartan ally. He is also credited
with the change in Spartan policy leading to the development of the Peloponnesian League in the sixth century
BC.[4]
Chilon of Sparta
Sayings
Diogenes Laertius describes him as a writer of Elegiac poems, and attributes many sayings to him:[3]
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
"Do not speak evil of the dead."
"Honor old age."
"Prefer punishment to disgraceful gain; for the one is painful but once, but the other for one's whole life."
"Do not laugh at a person in misfortune."
"If one is strong be also merciful, so that one's neighbors may respect one rather than fear one."
"Learn how to regulate one's own house well."
"Do not let one's tongue outrun one's sense."
"Restrain anger."
"Do not dislike divination."
"Do not desire what is impossible."
"Do not make too much haste on one's road."
"Obey the laws."
Death
Another legend claims that he died of joy when his son gained the prize for boxing at the Olympic games, and that
his funeral was attended by all the Greeks assembled at the festival.[3]
References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
Herodotus, i. 59
Alcidamas ap. Aristotle, Rhet. ii. 23. 11
Diogenes Laertius, i. 68-73
Hammond, N.G.L. & Scullard, H.H. (Eds.) (1970). The Oxford Classical Dictionary (p.229). Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN
0-19-869117-3.
Further reading
•
•
•
•
Franz Kiechle: Chilon. In: Der Kleine Pauly, Bd. 1 (1964), Sp. 1146.
G.L. Huxley. Early Sparta, 1962
The Lives and Opinions of the Eminent Philosophers, by Diogenes Laertius
Pliny, 7, c. 33.
External links
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Chilon, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
177
Bias of Priene
178
Bias of Priene
Bias (Greek: Βίας ο Πριηνεὺς, 6th century BCE), the son of
Teutamus and a citizen of Priene was a Greek philosopher.
Satyrus puts him as the wisest of all the Seven Sages of
Greece. He was renowned for his goodness.
One of the examples of his great goodness is the legend that
says that he paid a ransom for some women who had been
taken prisoner. After educating them as his own daughters, he
sent them back to Messina, their homeland, and to their
fathers.
Honours
Also it is said that when some fishermen found The Brazen
Tripod on which was inscripted: "For the Wisest", the fathers
of the damsels came into an assembly. They concluded that
Bias was the wisest among all men, so the tripod was
presented to him as a token of gratitude for all that he had
done for the city. Bias refused the honor with the words:
"Apollo is the wisest". Another author notes that he
consecrated the tripod at Thebes to Hercules.
Some of his sayings
•
•
•
•
Hermaic pillar representing Bias of Priene, Vatican
Museums
"The naïve men are easily fooled."
"Most people are evil."
"All men are wicked."
"It is difficult to bear a change of fortune for the worse with magnanimity."
• "Choose the course which you adopt with deliberation; but when you have adopted it, then persevere in it with
firmness."
• "Do not speak fast, for that shows folly."
• "Love prudence."
•
•
•
•
"Speak of the Gods as they are."
"Do not praise an undeserving man because of his riches."
"Accept of things, having procured them by persuasion, not by force."
"Cherish wisdom as a means of traveling from youth to old age, for it is more lasting than any other possession."
Bias of Priene
Work
It is said that he was very energetic and eloquent when pleading causes; but that he always reserved his talents for
the right side. In reference to which Demodicus of Alerius uttered the following enigmatical saying—"If you are a
judge, give a Prienian decision." And Hipponax says, "More excellent in his decisions than Bias of Priene."
(Diogenes Laertius, Book I, Chapter: The Life of Bias)
He also wrote about 2,000 verses on Ionia, to show in what matter a man might achieve happiness.
Death
The legend says that he died as an old man, pleading a cause for his client. After he had finished speaking, he leaned
back with his head on the bosom of his daughter's son. When the advocate on the opposite side had spoken, the
judges decided in favor of Bias's client. At the end of the trial he was found dead on his grandson's bosom. The city
buried him in the greatest magnificence.
Vatican bust
In April, 1819, Schopenhauer wrote in his Reisebuch [Travel Diary]: "In the Vatican [Hall of Philosophers] there is
the bust of Bias with the inscription of πλεἳστοι άνθρωπι κακοι [most men are bad]. Indeed this must have been his
maxim."[1]
Notes
[1] Manuscript Remains, Volume 3, "Reisebuch," § 30
References and external links
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Bias, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
• Arthur Schopenhauer, Manuscript Remains, Volume 3, Oxford: Berg Publishers, Ltd., 1989, ISBN
0-85496-540-8
179
Cleobulus
180
Cleobulus
Cleobulus (Greek: Κλεόβουλος, Kleoboulos; 6th century BC) was
a Greek poet and a native of Lindos, and one of the Seven Sages of
Greece.
Life
Cleobulus was the son of Evagoras and a citizen of Lindus in
Rhodes[1] Clement of Alexandria calls Cleobulus king of the
Lindians,[2] and Plutarch speaks of him as the tyrant.[3] The letter
quoted by Diogenes Laertius, in which Cleobulus invites Solon to
Lindus as a democratic place of refuge from the tyrant Peisistratus
in Athens, is undoubtably a later forgery.[4] Cleobulus is also said
to have studied "philosophy" in Egypt. He had a daughter named
"Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum"
Cleobulina, who used to compose enigmas in hexameter verse,
that were said to be of no less significance than his own. He is said
to have lived to the age of seventy, and to have been greatly distinguished, for strength and beauty of person. There
is a tomb of Cleobulus on Lindos.
Works
Cleobulus apparently wrote lyric poems, as well as riddles in verse. Diogenes Laertius also ascribes to him the
inscription on the tomb of Midas, of which Homer was considered by others to have been the author:[5]
"I am a brazen maiden lying here
Upon the tomb of Midas. And as long
As water flows, as trees are green with leaves,
As the sun shines and eke the silver moon,
As long as rivers flow, and billows roar,
So long will I upon this much wept tomb,
Tell passers by, "Midas lies buried here."
Many sayings were attributed to him:[6]
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
"Ignorance and talkativeness bear the chief sway among men."
"Cherish not a thought."
"Do not be fickle, or ungrateful."
"Be fond of hearing rather than of talking."
"Be fond of learning rather than unwilling to learn."
"Seek virtue and eschew vice."
"Be superior to pleasure."
"Instruct one's children."
"Be ready for reconciliation after quarrels."
"Avoid injustice."
"Do nothing by force."
"Moderation is the best thing."
Cleobulus
181
References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
Diogenes Laertius, i. 89; Strabo, xiv.
Clement of Alexandria, Stromata, iv. 19
Plutarch, de Ei ap. Delph. 3
Jeno Platthy, (1968), Sources on the earliest Greek libraries with the testimonia, page 28
comp. Plut. Phaedr. p. 264
Diogenes Laertius, i. 89-93; Suda, Kleoboulos; Clement of Alexandria, Stromata, i. 14
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology by
William Smith (1870).
External links
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Cleobulus, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
Pittacus (Greek: Πιττακός) (c. 640-568 BCE) was the son of
Hyrradius and one of the Seven Sages of Greece. He was a
native of Mytilene and the Mytilenaean general who, with his
army, was victorious in the battle against the Athenians and
their commander Phrynon. In consequence of this victory the
Mytilenaeans held Pittacus in the greatest honour and
presented the supreme power into his hands. After ten years of
reign he resigned his position and the city and constitution
were brought into good order.
When the Athenians were about to attack his city, Pittacus
challenged their General to a single combat, with the
understanding that the result should decide the war, and much
bloodshed be thereby avoided. The challenge was accepted,
and he killed his enemy with a broad sword. He was then
chosen ruler of his city and governed for ten years, during
which time he made laws in poetry -- one of which was to this
effect: "A crime committed by a person when drunk should
receive double the punishment which it would merit if the
offender were sober." His great motto was : "Do not to your
neighbor what you would take ill from him."[1] (The Golden
Rule)
Bust of Pittacos, Roman copy of a Greek original of the Late
Classical period, Louvre
Some authors mention that he had a son called Tyrrhaeus. The
legend says that his son was killed and when the murderer was brought before Pittacus, he dismissed the man,
saying, "Pardon is better than repentance." Of this matter, Heraclitus says that he had got the murderer into his power
and then he released him, saying, "Pardon is better than punishment."
It was a saying of Pittacus, that it is a hard thing to be really a good man. Others of his sayings were:
• "Whatever you do, do it well."
• "Even the Gods cannot strive against necessity."
• "Power shows the man."
• "Do not say beforehand what you are going to do; for if you fail, you will be laughed at."
•
•
•
•
"Do not reproach a man with his misfortunes, fearing lest Nemesis may overtake you."
"Forbear to speak evil not only of your friends, but also of your enemies."
"Cultivate truth, good faith, experience, cleverness, sociability, and industry."
"Know thy opportunity"
He flourished about the forty-second Olympiad. Having lived more than seventy years, he died in the third year of
the fifty-second Olympiad (568 BCE).
In Protagoras (dialogue) 341c[2] of Plato, Prodicus labeled the aeolic dialect as barbarian, while referring to Pittacus
of Mytilene.
He didn't know to distinguish the words correctly, being from Lesbos, and having been raised with a barbarian
dialect.
References
[1] Pittacus, Fragm. 10.3
[2] http:/ / books. google. com/ books?lr=& um=1& q=Protagoras+ Prodicus+ 341c+ + barbarian+ + dialect+ Lesbos& btnG=Search+ Books
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Pittacus, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
• H. W. Burton (1877). The History of Norfolk, Virginia. Norfolk, VA: Norfolk Virginian Job Print. p. 244.
• Charles Stewart Given (1905). A Fleece of Gold: Five Lessons from the Fable of Jason and the Golden Fleece.
Cincinnati, OH: Jennings & Graham.
Periander
182
Periander
183
Periander (Greek: Περίανδρος) was the second tyrant of Corinth,
Greece in the 7th century BC. He was the son of the first tyrant,
Cypselus. Periander succeeded his father in 627 BC. He died in
585 BC.
He upgraded Corinth's port, and built a ramp across the Isthmus of
Corinth so that ships could be dragged across (the Diolkos),
avoiding the sea route around the Peloponnese. The money gained
from the diolkos allowed Periander to abolish taxes in Corinth.
However, Periander was later considered the typical evil tyrant
(for example, by Aristotle). Herodotus says he learned his
"savagery" from Thrasybulus, the tyrant of Miletus, who instructed
Periander to get rid of anyone who could conceivably take power
from him. Among his acts were sending young boys from Corcyra
to be castrated in Lydia (who are reputed to have escaped and be
rescued by the Samians), and the murder (and possible
necrophiliac rape) of his own wife, Melissa. Abhorrence for this
act was so intense that it was described only metaphorically at the
time: "Periander baked his bread in a cold oven" (Herodotus, V
91-93). Their son Lycophron discovered that his father was the
murderer, so Periander exiled him from Corinth and forbade any
of his subjects to shelter him. Periander later tried to reconcile
with Lycophron, but Lycophron refused to return unless Periander
Periander, Roman copy after a Greek original of the
4th century BC, Vatican Museums.
abdicated. At this point, Periander declared he would abdicate in
favour of Lycophron while he would rule Corcyra; however, the
inhabitants of Corcyra killed Lycophron to prevent Periander from arriving.
Periander's nephew Psammetichus succeeded him as tyrant of Corinth but Psammetichus' rule only lasted three years
and he was the last of the Cypselid dynasty. Periander was listed by most authors as one of the Seven Sages of
Greece. According to Herodotus, Periander also held the musical contest that was won by the poet Arion. Periander
invented the Railway albeit horse-drawn, aforementioned as the "Diolkos".
External links
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Periander, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
184
Others
Diogenes of Apollonia (fl. 425 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher, and was a native of the Milesian colony
Apollonia in Thrace. He lived for some time in Athens. His doctrines are known chiefly from Diogenes Laërtius and
Simplicius. He believed air to be the one source of all being, and, as a primal force, it was intelligent. All other
substances are derived from it by condensation and rarefaction. Aristotle has preserved a lengthy passage concerning
the organization of the blood vessels.
Life
Diogenes was a native of the Milesian colony Apollonia in Thrace, present-day Sozopol on the Black Sea.[1] His
father's name was Apollothemis. Nothing is known of the events in his life, except that he lived some time in Athens.
Diogenes Laërtius states that "great jealousy nearly put his life in danger in Athens," but there may be confusion with
Anaxagoras who is mentioned in the same passage.[2] Like all the physiologi (physical philosophers), he wrote in the
Ionic dialect. In The Clouds of Aristophanes,[3] the views of Diogenes are transferred to Socrates.
Works
His most famous work was On Nature (Peri Physeos), some fragments of which are preserved, chiefly by
Simplicius. Diogenes, like Anaximenes, believed air to be the one source of all being, and all other substances to be
derived from it by condensation and rarefaction. This he modified by the theories of his contemporary Anaxagoras,
and asserted that air, the primal force, was intelligent:
And it seems to me that that which possessed thought is what people call air, and that by this everyone
both is governed and has power over everything. For it is this which seems to me to be god and to have
reached everything and to arrange everything and to be in everything. And there is not a single thing
which does not share in it.[4]
The nature of the universe is air, limitless and eternal, from which, as it condenses and rarefies and changes its
properties, the other forms come into being.[5] Among his other doctrines, he is said to have believed that there was
an infinite number of worlds, and infinite void; that air, densified and rarefied, produced the different worlds; that
nothing was produced from nothing, or was reduced to nothing; that the Earth was round, supported in the middle,
and had received its shape from the whirling round of the warm vapours, and its concretion and hardening from
cold.[2]
The longest surviving fragment of Diogenes is that which is inserted by Aristotle in the third book of his History of
Animals.[6] It contains a description of the distribution of the blood vessels in the human body. It is notable chiefly
because "here we can read at first hand what in the case of the other Presocratics we learn only indirectly: an attempt
to describe in scientific detail the structure and organization of the physical world."[7]
Diogenite meteorites are named for Diogenes of Apollonia, who was the first to suggest an outer space origin for
meteorites:
With the visible stars revolve stones which are invisible, and for that reason nameless. They often fall on
the ground and are extinguished, like the stone star that came down on fire at Aegospotami.[8]
References
[1] Kirk, Raven, & Schofield, The Presocratic Philosophers (Cambridge, 1983, 2nd edition), p. 434. The alternative view, not accepted by many
modern scholars, is that the Apollonia in question was the Cretan city that originally was Eleutherna.
[3] Aristophanes. The Clouds, 264 if.
[4] Frag. B 5. Simplicius, Commentary on the Physics, 152
[5] Simplicius, Commentary on the Physics, 25.1-9
[6] Frag. B 6. Aristotle History of Animals, 511-12
[7] Jonathon Barnes, Early Greek Philosophy, page xlviii. Penguin Books
[8] Aetius, ii. 13. 9
Bibliography
• André Laks. Diogène d'Apollonie. La dernière cosmologie présocratique. Lille: Presses Universitaires de Lille
1983. Edition, translation and commentary.
• André Laks (ed.), Diogène d'Apollonie: edition, traduction et commentaire des fragments et témoignages.
International Pre-platonic Studies; v. 6. Sankt Augustin: Academia Verlag, 2008 (revised edition of the preceding
volume)
External links
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Diogenes, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
Aristeas
Aristeas (Greek: Ἀριστέας) was a semi-legendary Greek poet and miracle-worker, a native of Proconnesus in Asia
Minor, active ca. 7th century BCE. In book IV of The Histories, Herodotus reports
The birthplace of Aristeas, the poet who sung of these things, I have already mentioned. I will now
relate a tale which I heard concerning him both at Proconnesus and at Cyzicus. Aristeas, they said, who
belonged to one of the noblest families in the island, had entered one day into a fuller's shop, when he
suddenly dropt down dead. Hereupon the fuller shut up his shop, and went to tell Aristeas' kindred what
had happened. The report of the death had just spread through the town, when a certain Cyzicenian,
lately arrived from Artaca, contradicted the rumour, affirming that he had met Aristeas on his road to
Cyzicus, and had spoken with him. This man, therefore, strenuously denied the rumour; the relations,
however, proceeded to the fuller's shop with all things necessary for the funeral, intending to carry the
body away. But on the shop being opened, no Aristeas was found, either dead or alive. Seven years
afterwards he reappeared, they told me, in Proconnesus, and wrote the poem called by the Greeks The
Arimaspeia, after which he disappeared a second time. This is the tale current in the two cities
above-mentioned.
Two hundred and forty years after his death, Aristeas appeared in Metapontum in southern Italy to command that a
statue of himself be set up and a new altar dedicated to Apollo, saying that since his death he had been travelling
with Apollo in the form of a sacred raven.
185
Aristeas
186
Arimaspea
Aristeas was supposed to have authored a poem called the Arimaspea, giving an account of travels in the far North.
There he encountered a tribe called the Issedones, who told him of still more fantastic and northerly peoples: the
one-eyed Arimaspi who battle gold-guarding griffins, and the Hyperboreans among whom Apollo lives during the
winter.
Longinus excerpts a portion of the poem:
A marvel exceeding great is this withal to my soul—
Men dwell on the water afar from the land, where deep seas roll.
Wretches are they, for they reap but a harvest of travail and pain,
Their eyes on the stars ever dwell, while their hearts abide in the main.
Often, I ween, to the Gods are their hands upraised on high,
And with hearts in misery heavenward-lifted in prayer do they cry.[1]
Similarly, the Chiliades of Ioannis Tzetzae quotes the Arimaspea. These two account for our entire knowledge of the
poem, which is otherwise lost.
In popular culture
This story appears to be referred to in Neil Gaiman's Sandman comics: Aristeas was a poet who lived around 700
BCE, and became by transformation one of many ravens who have acted as both adviser and assistant to The Endless
known as Dream. Not to be confused with the raven Matthew, the main raven in the Sandman tale, who existed in
human form in the Swamp Thing continuity before his time as a resident of the Dreaming.
References
[1] Longinus, On the Sublime, tr. W. Rhys Roberts. Chapter 10.
• Bolton, James David Pennington (1962) Aristeas of Proconnesus Clarendon Press, Oxford, OCLC 1907787
(http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1907787)
Pherecydes of Syros
187
Pherecydes of Syros
See also Pherecydes of Leros
Pherecydes of Syros (Φερεκύδης)
Pherecydes, ancient Greek philosopher.
Full name
Pherecydes of Syros (Φερεκύδης)
Born
ca. 600 B.C.
Died
ca. 550 B.C.
Era
Region
Pherecydes of Syros
School
Pre-Socratic
Main interests Astronomy, Cosmogony, Metaphysics, Mythology, Theology
Notable ideas
Allegory, Astronomy, Creatio ex nihilo, Etymology, Immortality, Metempsychosis, Rationalism, Theology
Pherecydes of Syros (in Greek: Φερεκύδης) was a Greek thinker from the island of Syros, of the 6th century BC.
Pherecydes authored the Pentemychos or Heptamychos, one of the first attested prose works in Greek literature,
which formed an important bridge between mythic and pre-Socratic thought.
Life
Very little is known of his life. The sources are often contradictory.[1] It has been said that he was a son of Babys,
and that he was most likely active in ca. 540 BC.
Pentemychos or Heptamychos
Note that Pherecydes' book is called "Heptamychos" ("seven recesses") in the Suda and in all modern sources.[2] In
this work, Pherecydes taught his philosophy through the medium of mythic representations. Although it is lost, the
fragments that survive are enough to reconstruct a basic outline. Aristotle in Metaphysics[3] thus characterized
Pherecydes' work as a mixture of myth and philosophy.
Creation of the world
In the older cosmogony of Hesiod (8th-7th century BC) the initial state of the universe is Chaos,a dark void
considered as a divine primordial condition and the creation is ex nihilo (out of nothing).Pherecydes probably
interpreted chaos as water and he does not place it at the very beginning. In his cosmogony there are three divine
principles, Zas (Zeus), Cthonie (chthonios) and Chronos (time) who always existed.The semen (seeds) of Chronos
which can probably be considered as a watery chaos was placed in the recesses and composed numerous other
Pherecydes of Syros
offsprings of gods.[4] This is described in a fragment preserved in Damascius' "De Principis".
A close relationship is thought to exist between these recesses and Chthonie, which is another of the three
first-existing things. Chthonie has to do with the origin of the word "chthonic"; her name means "underlying the
earth". Hesiod described Tartaros as being "in a mychos of broad-wayed earth",[5] through which we may guess at a
close affinity between krater, mychos, and Chthonie. Professor Hermann S. Schibli, author of the most acclaimed
academic book on Pherecydes, thinks the five mychos were actually harboured within Chthonie, or at least were so
initially when Chronos disposed his seed in the five "nooks".[6]
Alongside Chthonie and Chronos, Pherecydes held a power called Zas. Zas is thought to be a strange etymological
form of Zeus, and to be identical with he Orphic Eros in function, and as such a personification of masculine, or
simply sexual, creativity. Proclus said that "Pherecydes used to say that Zeus changed into Eros when about to
create, for the reason that, having created the world from opposites, he led it into agreement and peace and sowed
sameness in all things, and unity that interpenetrates the universe".[7]
The act of creation itself (perhaps it is more accurate to say that Chronos creates—it is from his seed that the actual
"stuff" comes from—and that Zas orders and distributes) is described mytho-poetically as Zas making a cloth on
which he decorates earth and sea, and which he then presents as a wedding gift to Chthonie, and wraps around her.
Yet, in another fragment it is not Chthonie, but "a winged oak" that he wraps the cloth around.[8] The stories are not
mutually exclusive, simply different. The chronology is hard to figure out because much is lacking in the fragments,
but one thing is clear, and that is that creation is hindered by chaotic forces.
Before the world is ordered a cosmic battle takes place, with Kronos (ordered time) as the head of one side and
Ophioneus as the leader of the other.[9] The same story is elsewhere enacted with Zeus and Typhon/Typhoeus as
leading characters, and it also has close parallels in many myths from cultures other than the Greek (Marduk vs.
Tiamat, etc). Ophioneus and its brood are often depicted as ruling the birthing cosmos for some time, before falling
from power. The chaotic forces are eternal and cannot be destroyed; instead they are thrown out from the ordered
world and locked away in Tartaros in a kind of "appointment of the spheres", in which the victor (Zeus-Kronos)
takes possession of the sky and of space and time.[10] The locks to Tartaros are fashioned in iron by Zeus, and might
hence have been associated with his element of aither, and in bronze by Poseidon, which might indicate a link to
water (which was often conceived of as the "first matter"). Judging from some ancient fragments Ophioneus is
thrown into Okeanos, not into Tartaros.
Exactly what entities or forces that were locked away in Pherecydes’ story cannot be known for sure, unless his book
were to be miraculously recovered. Good guesswork would be to have five principal figures. We know that
Ophioneus, or Typhon, was one and the same. We also know that Eurynome fought on the side of Ophioneus against
Kronos.[9] That Chthonie is a principal "thing" of the underworld is almost superfluous to argue, but whether she is
to be counted as one of the five or the five "sum-total" is more of an open question. Apart from these we know that
Ophioneus-Typhon mated with Echidna, and that Echidna herself was somehow mysteriously "produced" by
Callirhoe. If Pherecydes counted five principal entities in association the pentemychos doctrine, then Ophioneus,
Eurynome, Echidna, Calirrhoe and Chthonie are the main contenders.
188
Pherecydes of Syros
As said, Kronos is replaced by Zeus in the more popularly known
version, but the overall story remains the same. Kronos/Zeus orders the
offspring out from the cosmos to Tartaros. There they are kept behind
locked gates, fashioned in iron (associated with Zeus and his element
of sky/space) and bronze (by Poseidon—the water force). We are told
about chaotic beings put into the pentemychos, and we are told that the
Darkness has an offspring that is cast into the recesses of Tartaros. A
fragment exclusively making the equation for us is lacking, but it does
indeed seem very, very plausible that the prison-house in Tartaros and
the pentemychos are ways of referring to the essentially same thing.
According to Celcus, Pherecydes said that: "Below that portion is the
Pherecydes, depicted as a medieval scholar in the
portion of Tartaros; the daughters of Boreas [the north wind], the
Nuremberg Chronicle
Harpies and Thuella [Storm], guard it; there Zeus banished any of the
[6]
gods whenever one behaves with insolence."
Considering this
statement, Pherecydes' own words, the identity between Zeus' prison-house and the pentemychos seems exceedingly
likely.
Pherecydes' "Pentemychos" is thought to have contained a mystical esoteric teaching, treated allegorically. One
ancient commentator said that:
"Also, Pherecydes, the man of Syros, talks of recesses and pits and caves and doors and gates, and through these
speaks in riddles of becomings and deceases of souls."[11]
A comparatively large number of sources say Pherecydes was the first to teach the eternality and transmigration of
human souls.[12] That he was the first to teach such a thing is doubtful, but that he was among the first and that he
did profess this teaching is certain. Professor Hermann S. Schibli, the most acclaimed scholar on Pherecydes,
concludes that Pherecydes "included in his book ["Pentemychos"] at least a rudimentary treatment of the immortality
of the soul, its wanderings in the underworld, and the reasons for the soul’s incarnations".[13]
Astronomy
Aside from his writing, Pherecydes is known for having made a sundial on the island of Syros[14] . The Science
Center & Technology Museum of Thessaloniki [15] website informs us:
His works include:
- A 'heliotropion', or 'shadow-chaser': The first example of this instrument, which was a more advanced kind of
gnomon used to determine midday and to calculate the length of the year and the geographical latitude, was
built by Pherecydes in Samos.
Pherecydes predicted lunar and solar eclipses.
189
Pherecydes of Syros
Influence
Pherecydes' contribution to the early Presocratic thought is (1) the denial of ex nihilo creation; (2) cosmos
self-creation; (3) the eternal nature of the first principles. Both Cicero and Augustine thought that Pherecydes of
Syros first taught the immortality of the soul. Diogenes Laertius writes that some considered Pherecydes to have
been the teacher of Pythagoras. He is occasionally counted among the Seven Sages of Greece.
References
[1] Smith, Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology (http:/ / www. ancientlibrary. com/ smith-bio/ 2591. html)
[2] G.Kirk, J.Raven and M. Schofield (2003). The Presocratic Philosophers (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=kFpd86J8PLsC& pg).
Cambridge University Press. . p. 51,
[3] Aristotle, Metaphysics, 1091 b 8
[4] G.Kirk,J.Raven,M.Schofield (2003). The Presocratic Philosophers (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=kFpd86J8PLsC& pg). Cambridge
University Press. .p 56-60
[5] Kirk, G. S., Raven, J. E., & Schofield, M., The Presocratic Philosophers, p. 34, Cambridge Univ. Press 1999
[6] Schibli, S., Hermann, Pherekydes of Syros, p. 22, Oxford Univ. Press 2001
[10] Kirk, G. S., Raven, J. E., & Schofield, M., The Presocratic Philosophers, pp. 66-67, Cambridge Univ. Press 1999
[14] Munn, Mark, 'The Mother of the Gods, Athens, and the Tyranny of Asia' (http:/ / www. ucpress. edu/ books/ pages/ 10217/ 10217. ch01.
pdf)
[15] http:/ / www. tmth. edu. gr/ en/ index. html
External links
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Pherecydes, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
• Pherecydes of Syros (http://www.philosophy.gr/presocratics/pherecydes.htm) by Giannis Stamatellos
190
Anacharsis
191
Anacharsis
"He marvelled that among the Greeks, those who were skillful in
a thing vie in competition; those who have no skill, judge"
—Diogenes Laertius, of Anacharsis.
Anacharsis (Greek: Ἀνάχαρσις) was a Scythian philosopher who
travelled from his homeland on the northern shores of the Black Sea to
Athens in the early 6th century BCE and made a great impression as a
forthright, outspoken "barbarian", apparently a forerunner of the
Cynics, though none of his works have survived.
Life
Anacharsis the son of Gnurus,[1] a Scythian chief, was half Greek and
from a mixed Hellenistic culture, apparently in the region of the
Cimmerian Bosporus. He left his native country to travel in pursuit of
knowledge, and came to Athens about 589 BCE,[2] at a time when
Solon was occupied with his legislative measures.
Anacharsis, artist's impression
According to the story recounted by Hermippus,[3] he arrived at the
house of Solon and said, "I have traveled here from afar to make you
my friend." Solon replied, "It's better to make friends at home." Thereupon the Scythian replied, "Then it is
necessary for you, being at home, to make friends with me." Solon laughed and accepted him as his friend.
He cultivated the outsider's knack of seeing the illogic in familiar things. His conversation was droll and frank, and
Solon and the Athenians took to him as a sage and philosopher. His rough and free discourse became proverbial
among Athenians as 'Scythian discourse'.[4]
Anacharsis was the first foreigner (metic) who received the privileges of Athenian citizenship. He was reckoned by
some ancient authors as one of the Seven Sages of Greece,[5] and it is said that he was initiated into the Eleusinian
Mysteries of the Great Goddess, a privilege denied to those who did not speak fluent Greek.
According to Herodotus,[6] when Anacharsis returned to the Scythians he was killed by his own brother for his Greek
ways and especially for the impious attempt to sacrifice to the Mother Goddess Cybele, whose cult was unwelcome
among the Scythians.
Anacharsis
192
Ideas
None of the works ascribed to him in ancient times, if indeed they were
written by him, have survived. He was said to have written a book
comparing the laws of the Scythians with the laws of the Greeks, as
well as work on the art of war. All that remains of his thought is what
later tradition ascribes to him. He became famous for the simplicity of
his way of living and his acute observations on the institutions and
customs of the Greeks. He exhorted moderation in everything, saying
that the vine bears three clusters of grapes: the first wine, pleasure; the
second, drunkenness; the third, disgust.[7] So he became a kind of
emblem to the Athenians, who inscribed on his statues: 'Restrain your
tongues, your appetites, your passions.'
There are ten extant letters ascribed to him, one of which is also quoted
by Cicero:
Greetings from Anacharsis to Hanno: My clothing is a
Anacharsis, depicted as a medieval scholar in the
Scythian cloak, my shoes are the hard soles of my feet, my
Nuremberg Chronicle
bed is the earth, my food is only seasoned by hunger - and
I eat nothing but milk and cheese and meat. Come and
visit me, and you will find me at peace. You want to give me something. But give it to your
fellow-citizens instead, or let the immortal gods have it.[8]
All of the letters are spurious.[9] The first nine probably date from the 3rd century BCE, they are usually included
among the Cynic epistles, and reflect how the Cynic philosophers viewed him as prefiguring many of their ideas;[9]
the tenth letter is quoted by Diogenes Laertius, it is addressed to Croesus, the proverbially rich king of Lydia, it too
is fictitious:
Anacharsis to Croesus: O king of the Lydians, I am come to the country of the Greeks, in order to
become acquainted with their customs and institutions; but I have no need of gold, and shall be quite
contented if I return to Scythia a better man than I left it. However I will come to Sardis, as I think it
very desirable to become a friend of yours.[10]
Strabo makes him the (probably legendary) inventor of the anchor with two flukes, and others made him the inventor
of the potter's wheel.[10]
Having been informed that Solon was employed to draw up a code of laws for the Athenians, Anacharsis described
his occupation, saying:
"Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones."[11]
Revival in the 18th century
In 1788 Jean Jacques Barthelemy (1716–95), a highly esteemed classical scholar and Jesuit, published The Travels
of Anacharsis the Younger in Greece, about a young Scythian descended from Anacharsis. The 4-volume work was
an imaginary travel journal, one of the first historical novels, which a modern scholar has called "the encyclopedia of
the new cult of the antique" in the late 18th century. It had an impact on the growth of philhellenism in France at the
time. The book went through many editions, was reprinted in the United States and translated into German and other
languages. It later inspired European sympathy for the Greek struggle for independence and spawned sequels and
imitations through the 19th century.
Anacharsis
Notes
[1] Herodotus, iv. 76; Diogenes Laertius, i. 101; although Lucian, (Scytha) calls him the son of Daucetas.
[2] Sosicrates, ap Diogenes Laertius, i. 101
[3] Hermippus, ap Diogenes Laertius, i. 101-2
[5] Diogenes Laertius, i. 41-2
[6] Herodotus, iv, 76; comp. Diogenes Laertius, i. 102
[8] Pseudo-Anacharsis, Epistle 5, quoted in Cicero, Tusculan Disputations, v. 32
[9] Abraham J. Malherbe, (1977), The Cynic Epistles: A Study Edition, pages 6-7. SBL
[11] 'Beeton's Book of Jokes and Jests, or Good Things Said and Sung' - Second Edition, Printed by Frederick Warne & Co., London, 1866
Classical references
• Herodotus iv. 46, 76-7; Lucian, Scytha; Cicero, Tusc. Disp. v. 32; Diogenes Laertius i. 101-5; Athenaeus, iv. 159,
x. 428, 437, xiv. 613; Aelian, Varia Historia, v. 7.
External links
•
Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Anacharsis, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).
• A witty comparison of the Anacharsis cult with the modern cult of Xena, "Warrior Princess". (http://www.
whoosh.org/issue56/rich1.html) (See Xena.)
193
Pre-Socratic philosophy Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=415499943 Contributors: Across.The.Synapse, Adam Conover, Alcove, Andre Engels, Bacchiad, Bjankuloski06en,
Boud, Brion VIBBER, BrokenSegue, Bwmcmaste, CDThieme, Calton, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, Carbuncle, Catalographer, Charles Matthews, Ches88, Constcon, Conversion script, Ctac,
D. Webb, Dana boomer, Debopriyaa, Dittaeva, Docu, Eeldrop, Elipongo, EvanCarroll, Finell, Frozenport, Galoubet, Ghaly, Goethean, Hede2000, Hmains, Hu12, Isokrates, JW1805, Jguk, Jic,
Jiminy Brunswick, Johnelwayrules, Kalogeropoulos, Karl-Henner, Kristen Eriksen, Lapaz, Laurapr, Le vin blanc, Little guru, Maestlin, Mark Christensen, Mashford, Maurice Carbonaro,
MeltBanana, Nema Fakei, Nixdorf, No Account, Oxymoron83, PRC 07, Paul August, Pergamino, Peter Damian (old), Peter hankins, Philip Trueman, Pollinosisss, Poor Yorick, Pprevos, Prolog,
Radgeek, Ragesoss, Robin Hood, Sango123, Sannse, Scimitar, Sdorrance, Sethmahoney, Singinglemon, Skomorokh, Sortan, Srnec, StaticGull, SteveBish, Stokerm, Suffusion of Yellow, Tales23,
Template namespace initialisation script, The Sage of Stamford, TigerShark, Tomisti, Tothebarricades.tk, Tresoldi, Valorite, Wesley, ‫ينام‬, 94 anonymous edits
Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=344005271 Contributors: Charles Matthews, Gaius Cornelius, Goethean, IZAK, IanManka,
Jeff3000, JustAGal, Kratzenbourg, Lestrade, Macmelvino, Mtevfrog, Netkinetic, Phthoggos, Singinglemon, The Thing That Should Not Be, Vranak, Xezbeth, 4 anonymous edits
Classical element Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=415031507 Contributors: ***Ria777, .:Ajvol:., 66.81.45.xxx, Aaron Bruce, Ahoerstemeier, Air man 12, Alex S, Ali K,
AndreaPersephone, Andrew Lancaster, AndromedaRoach, Andylkl, Angela, Ant, Arknascar44, Art Carlson, Ashmoo, Astrologist, AuburnPilot, B9 hummingbird hovering, Barkeep,
Betacommand, Bill37212, Black Falcon, Blackdragon1157, Bladechampion, Blob202, Bob332, Bobblehead, Bonadea, Borgx, Bovineboy2008, Brandonmanrules, Bryan Derksen, CAPS LOCK,
CLW, Carnildo, Ceyockey, Chris the speller, Christian75, ClaraPau, Colonies Chris, Conundrumer, Conversion script, Cool3, Damian Yerrick, Dan0 00, Danshil, Dark Sorcerer666, DarkAudit,
David Little, Dbachmann, Dcljr, Deanostrodamus, Debresser, Delldot, Deor, Derek Balsam, Derek Ross, Diddims, Diego Godoy, Dimitrii, Dina, DropDeadGorgias, Durin, Dustinasby,
EamonnPKeane, EarthPerson, Eep², Eequor, Eliz81, Ellenois, Emperorbma, Epbr123, Everyking, Explicit, Exppii, Fattyjwoods, Findjoshg, Flameviper, FranksValli, Freederick, FuegoFish,
G.dallorto, GPHemsley, GRB, Glogger, Gregpass, HVulpes, Haftorang, Heron, Heyitspeter, Hmains, Hu12, HybridBoy, IPSOS, Icairns, Icalanise, Icarus3, Igorwindsor, InternetMeme, Iridescent,
Isokrates, J04n, J8079s, JCasto, JLogan, Jacklemook, Jacky Li93, Jacob van Straten, Jagged 85, JamieS93, Jasynnash2, Javitomad, JazzyGroove, JeremyA, JimTheFrog, Jimmy da tuna,
Jivatmanx, Jkrjjrs, Jmlk17, Jobopoop, Jonnywoof, Joshua Issac, Kakashi-sensei, Kakofonous, Kalvorod, KathrynLybarger, Keenan Pepper, Keilana, Kesh, Kintetsubuffalo, Kpalion, Kr5t, Krash,
Kroevyn, Kusunose, Larry Rosenfeld, Leaderofearth, LilHelpa, Linas, Longpatrol42, Lorenzarius, Lowellian, Machine Elf 1735, Maestlin, Makawity, Martou, MathFacts, Matthew Yeager,
Mbarker73, Mdd, Merovingian, Michael Hardy, Midnightblueowl, Miguelitoji, Mike.lifeguard, Mild Bill Hiccup, Mirv, Miserlou, Mitsube, Mongreilf, Mooquackwooftweetmeow, Munci,
Murgatroyd, Mythsearcher, Nafile, Nalgas, Neelmack, Nethchan, Newzealandfive, Nigholith, Nixdorf, Novangelis, Nuno Tavares, Ohnoitsjamie, Olorin28, Onhm, Orelstrigo, Owen, P824,
Paddu, Party, Peripitus, Peter Winnberg, PierreAbbat, Piglarva, Pigman, Poosap, Powerful0x0, PrescitedEntity, Ptdecker, Purplefeltangel, Quadell, Quinsareth, R'n'B, RHaworth, RachelBrown,
RainbowCrane, Random contributor, RayTomes, Recognizance, Reddi, Remigiu, ResearchRave, Richard001, Rjwilmsi, Robertcurrey, Rogueslade, Roman à clef, Rosetable, RubyQ, Rursus,
Rusty16, Ryulong, Sam Hocevar, Samwaltz, Sannse, Scarian, Schadrac45678, Shell Kinney, Showers, Silentaria, Slartibartfast, Smiloid, Snowolf, Sonicrazy, Sp, Spartan-James, Spikespot,
Sspecter, SteinbDJ, SteveMcCluskey, StradivariusTV, Straussian, Struway, Syncategoremata, T-borg, T.J.V., TAKASUGI Shinji, TPK, Tabletop, Tarquin, Template namespace initialisation
script, The Evil Spartan, TheWarlock, Tirkfl, Tohd8BohaithuGh1, TomTheHand, Toroia, Trang Oul, Trevor MacInnis, TwiLighT1126, Tylerwillis, Uncle G, Uttam Pal, Vaquero100, Velps,
Versus22, Verysmelly, Vhjh, Vicki Rosenzweig, VolatileChemical, Voretus, Wapcaplet, Wayland, Wik, Wimt, Wmd10, Wolfdog, Xangel, Xanzzibar, Xaven, Yms, Zetawoof, Zythe,
百家姓之四, 644 anonymous edits
Ionian School (philosophy) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=403226099 Contributors: 271828182, Abtinb, Acepectif, Andrew Levine, Anthony Appleyard, BD2412, CalJW,
Cantero, Catalographer, Doug Coldwell, Flauto Dolce, Good Olfactory, Gregbard, Hmains, Igorwindsor, Imparant, Karol Langner, Kurtan, Langdell, Mcmillin24, Pedanti, PigFlu Oink, Place
Clichy, Pollinosisss, Robin Hood, Schmloof, Scimitar, Search4Lancer, Singinglemon, Titoxd, Tomisti, Twthmoses, WhiteC, 22 anonymous edits
Paired opposites Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=400187971 Contributors: Colonies Chris, Edward321, Gadget850, Gregbard, J04n, Mbell, Ntsimp, Pollinosisss, R'n'B,
Retropunk, Rjwilmsi, Rktect, Salix alba, Simon12, SlackerMom, Slgcat, TheTito, Woohookitty
Material monism Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=382492152 Contributors: Aervanath, Anarchia, Avocado, Bluemoose, Cryptic C62, DanielNuyu, Gaius Cornelius,
Gregbard, John, NHRHS2010, Nagelfar, NielsenGW, Ragesoss, Solar-Poseidon, Zoicon5, 7 anonymous edits
Diogenes Laërtius Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=416700727 Contributors: 271828182, 4C, Akhilleus, Alcmaeonid, Aldux, AllanBz, Andrea.gf, Andres, Arcadian,
Ariobarzan, BD2412, Caracas1830, Charles Matthews, Chico, Crvst, Czrisher, D. Webb, Demiurgos, Durova, Eliyak, Eyesh21, FeanorStar7, Figureground, Gabbe, Gdr, GreatWhiteNortherner,
Gwern, HaeB, Heliogabulus, Ideyal, Igorwindsor, Immanuel1, Insanephantom, Ironman5247, Isokrates, JCScaliger, Jaellee, Jagged 85, Jamesmusik, John K, Jonathan Stokes, KRBN, Kuralyov,
Laurapr, LilHelpa, Minimus1, Ningauble, Nixdorf, Nk, Nuno Tavares, Ontoraul, Oxymoron83, R'n'B, SMasters, Singinglemon, Sumahoy, Sylent, Template namespace initialisation script,
Trilobitealive, Veronique50, Wareh, Webdinger, Wile E. Heresiarch, Xgoni, Zeusnoos, ‫ينام‬, 33 anonymous edits
Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=396080637 Contributors: Arcadian, Arthena, CALR, Caracas1830, DiamondDave, El C, F15
sanitizing eagle, Flauto Dolce, Gareth E Kegg, Hmains, Igorwindsor, Is is Is, Jbergquist, Mercenario97, Minimus1, Mjl0509, Nixdorf, Ontoraul, Place Clichy, Raven34, Singinglemon, Tomisti,
Tony419c, W.A. Ribeiro Jr., Wareh, Zozza, 5 anonymous edits
Milesian school Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=414922933 Contributors: Abtinb, Andrew Levine, Blaxthos, Bomac, Catalographer, Choster, El C, Good Olfactory,
Gregbard, Heyitspeter, Immanuel1, Laurapr, Onebravemonkey, Pablo-flores, Petr Kopač, Phar0, Pinar, Place Clichy, Pollinosisss, Renamed user 4, Rholton, Schmloof, Sdorrance, Sigmundur,
Singinglemon, Tomisti, 24 anonymous edits
Thales Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=417567718 Contributors: 15lsoucy, 1984, 3rdAlcove, 65.197.2.xxx, 96T, A Macedonian, A little insignificant, ABF, Acroterion,
Adam Bishop, Adam Conover, Addshore, Aervanath, Aftermath, AgentPeppermint, Aitias, Alansohn, Alcmaeonid, Alcove, Aldux, Alex.muller, An Siarach, Andre Engels, Andrew Levine,
Andrewkim99, Angielaj, Animum, Anna Lincoln, Ashot Gabrielyan, At-par, Athenean, Atif.t2, Az1568, BD2412, Baristarim, Barticus88, Basketball110, Bender235, Big iron, Biglovinb,
Bkwillwm, BlindEagle, Bluemoose, Bobo192, Brion VIBBER, Bryan Derksen, Bubba73, Bullzeye, CHITRANI, Calmer Waters, Caltas, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, CanadianLinuxUser,
Catalographer, Cedricbear, Chairboy, ChanDMan2010, Charles Matthews, Chetvorno, ChicXulub, Chochopk, Choess, Chrislk02, Chronicler, Chuunen Baka, Cje, ClockworkLunch, Codetiger,
Cometstyles, Conversion script, Cow Taurog, Cwoyte, D. Webb, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, DBodor, DMacks, DanielCD, Danski14, Dave6, Davitenio, Dawn Bard, Dcljr, Dedoleo, DerHexer,
Deville, Diderot, Dkastner, Dkderick, DocWatson42, Dommccas, Dougweller, Dreadstar, Dspradau, EPM, ESkog, EagleFan, Edderso, Eeekster, Eleuther, Elizabeyth, Epbr123, Epolk, Eric
Kvaalen, Essent, FallenAngel7789, FeanorStar7, Filippo Argenti, Finemann, First Light, Fleminra, FranksValli, Fryd1e, Fuhghettaboutit, FullMetal Falcon, Funnybunny, Fushigi-kun, GT5162,
Gaelen S., Gaius Cornelius, Galanskov, Gat, Gatoatigrado, GcSwRhIc, Gchambonthales, Giftlite, Gilliam, Gja34, Gpvos, Grafen, Greenmangowango, GreyCat, Gscshoyru, Gummieworm, Gurch,
Gwernol, Happy-melon, HarlandQPitt, Headbomb, Hemlock Martinis, Heracles31, HexaChord, Historybuff90, Hockeyrockcars, Hongooi, Hotshot977, HunterX, Hyst, Icairns, Igiffin, Igoldste,
ImperatorExercitus, Infosocialist, Insulanus, Inter, Inwind, Iridescent, IronGargoyle, IslandHopper973, Isomorphic, Ixfd64, J.delanoy, JEN9841, JYolkowski, Jaellee, Jagged 85, Jaraalbe,
Jaredwf, Jeandré du Toit, JesterCountess, Jim.henderson, JimWae, Jimp, Joannachan, JoanneB, John.d.page, JohnCD, Johnelwayrules, Johnwrw, Joseph Dwayne, Joseph Myers, Jossi, Jsf8204,
Jsnx, KRBN, Kalogeropoulos, Kazvorpal, Kevmanetti, Killiondude, Kimon, Kingpin13, Knucmo2, Korg, Koxinga, Koyaanis Qatsi, Kristaga, Kungfuadam, LeaveSleaves, Leoadec, Les boys,
Lestrade, Levi allemany, Limexx35, Lir, Little Mountain 5, Llywrch, Logan, Lottamiata, LoveMonkey, Lowellian, Lucidish, Luk, Lumos3, MDfoo, MER-C, Magister Mathematicae, Mani1,
Mariehuynh, Mark Krueger, Markcob, Martinmuse, Marudubshinki, Master of Puppets, Matusz, Maurice Carbonaro, Mav, Mccartjt, Measure for Measure, Melesse, Mendaliv, Mets501,
Mhaesen, Mhking, Miaow Miaow, Michael Hardy, MichaelTinkler, Mig77, MisfitToys, Misza13, Mitartep, Moeron, Momo san, Moreschi, Mrdice, Mrjake, Mtpuls1092, Munita Prasad,
N419BH, NATALEE--xD, Nareek, Naturyl, Neoglyph, NewEnglandYankee, Nicke Lilltroll, Nigholith, Nixdorf, Nk, No such user, Noah Salzman, Noisy, Noname, Noqoilpi, NorthernDrifter,
Novangelis, Ntsimp, NuclearWarfare, Nwwaew, Odysses, Oleg Alexandrov, Olivier, Omarraii, Oracleofottawa, Oxymoron83, PL290, Paine Ellsworth, Patricius Augustus, Paul August,
Paulasiri2, Pbroks13, Pergamino, Peter cohen, Peterlewis, Peyre, Pezanos, Pfalstad, Pfhenshaw, Philip Baird Shearer, Philip Trueman, Piano non troppo, Pianodwarf, Piniricc65, Pollinosisss,
Princess Lirin, Professor marginalia, Prolog, Puchiko, Qxz, RA0808, Radgeek, Reediewes, Reinis, Rettetast, RexNL, Rich Farmbrough, RichMac, Rickmorcom, Robin Hood, Roy Brumback,
Rror, Rursus, S, Sango123, Scarian, Sceptre, Scimitar, Sciurinæ, Seans Potato Business, Secretlondon, Selfworm, Shadow1, Shadowjams, Shafei, Shanes, Shanoman, Silentlight, Simonides,
Singinglemon, Smalljim, SnowFire, Someguy1221, Sshadow, Starwiz, Stephenb, Stevenmitchell, Stockback, Struway, Sumahoy, Tangent747, Tdw1203, Teddyw73, Tedmund, Template
namespace initialisation script, Tevildo, The Man in Question, The Sage of Stamford, The Thing That Should Not Be, Thesecondworldwar.net, Thue, Thunderboltz, Tide rolls, Tpbradbury,
Triwbe, Trumpetcase, Ugur Basak, Ukexpat, Versus22, VirtualDelight, VolatileChemical, WFinch, Wahabijaz, Why Not A Duck, Wikiklrsc, Wimt, Writtenright, XJamRastafire, Yamamoto
Ichiro, Yiuchung, Zerida, 818 anonymous edits
Anaximander Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=416704248 Contributors: 15lsoucy, A Macedonian, AAA765, Adam Conover, Aervanath, Alan Millar, Alcove, Alterrabe,
AndreasJS, Andrew Levine, Andrew Norman, Antandrus, Anthony Appleyard, Archidamus, Argos'Dad, Arnoutf, Ashot Gabrielyan, Attilios, Autoerrant, Awadewit, BCST2001, BD2412,
Barticus88, Bidabadi, Bilby, Binabik80, Blainster, BlytheG, Bobo192, Bodnotbod, Brian0918, Brion VIBBER, Bunnyhop11, Catalographer, Charles Matthews, Chochopk, Cholmes75,
Chronicler, Cntras, Colonies Chris, Connormah, Conversion script, Corvus, Cyanidesandwich, D. Webb, Deipnosophista, DeistCosmos, Dirk Couprie, Dr. Submillimeter, Eastlaw, EauLibrarian,
Epikouros, Fabullus, Fang 23, FeanorStar7, Flamingspinach, FlavrSavr, ForbiddenWord, Ford, Frongle, Gakmo, Galena11, Gilgamesh, Gilliam, Gracenotes, Gwern, Gwwfps, HMAccount,
Hannes Eder, Headbomb, Hebrides, Hemlock Martinis, Henriquemaia, Himrhilbish, Hmains, Horrorendous, Igorwindsor, Iluvitar, Infosocialist, Inwind, Ion.sotiropoulos, It Is Me Here, JEN9841,
194
JamesAM, Jamesym, Jan.Kamenicek, Jaraalbe, Jbergquist, John Carter, JohnBlackburne, Jorunn, Keithh, Khepidjemwa'atnefru, Kingoftonga86, Kwamikagami, Larsinio, Leoadec, Lestrade,
Lucidish, Maestlin, Maitch, Mark Christensen, Muriel Gottrop, Nabla, Natl1, Nigholith, Nixdorf, Nk, Ohnoitsjamie, Patrick0Moran, Pcb21, Pedanti, Phil Sandifer, Piniricc65, Pmanderson,
Pollinosisss, Polly, Poor Yorick, Prolog, Prsephone1674, Pubfac, Quaeler, Quantumobserver, Quejlfaspasma, Quibbles, RJHall, Radgeek, Ranveig, Razzendacuben, Rich Farmbrough, Rjwilmsi,
Robin Hood, Rocastelo, RogDel, SJK, Sam Spade, Sanja Simat, Sean Whitton, Searchme, Serinde, Sheeana, Simon D M, Singinglemon, Skomorokh, Sligocki, Smack, SmartGuy, Sokolesq,
StAnselm, Stan Shebs, TOR, Template namespace initialisation script, Tevildo, Thumperward, Tim1357, Ukexpat, Uwontcatchme1, Varoskater, Vitiekee, VivaEmilyDavies, Wahabijaz, Will
Beback, Wombat, Woohookitty, XJamRastafire, Xiao Li, Yoba333, Ziggy6894, Zirland, 200 anonymous edits
Anaximenes of Miletus Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=415766268 Contributors: 15lsoucy, 216.99.203.xxx, A8UDI, Aervanath, Alan Canon, Alcove, Andre Engels,
AnnaFrance, Arthena, Ashot Gabrielyan, Attilios, Ayla, Banano818, Bdesham, Bidabadi, Binabik80, Bobo192, Brion VIBBER, Bubba hotep, Catalographer, Chronicler, Conversion script, D.
Webb, Dittaeva, EauLibrarian, Favonian, FeanorStar7, FlavrSavr, FranksValli, Gabbe, Gaius Cornelius, Giftlite, Hemlock Martinis, Hidaspal, Hmains, Hoo man, Igorwindsor, Inter, JHunterJ,
Jan.Kamenicek, Japanese Searobin, Japo, Jaraalbe, Jauhienij, Jiang, Josteinn, Jrcla2, Jschway, Kalogeropoulos, Kellylively, Lestrade, Lucidish, Michael Hardy, Mladifilozof, Nixdorf, Nk,
Opspin, Oracleofottawa, Paul.timm68, Pedanti, Phoebe, Pit, Prolog, Radgeek, Reedy, Rich Farmbrough, Rjwilmsi, Robin Hood, SDC, Schaengel89, Schneidegger, Shyam, Signalhead,
Singinglemon, Skeptic2, Sobaka, Sshadow, Stevenmitchell, Template namespace initialisation script, TheAtomist, Tobyc75, VivaEmilyDavies, Wahabijaz, Wikipelli, XJamRastafire, Youssefsan,
Zannna, ‫ينام‬, 52 anonymous edits
Pythagoreanism Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=413265201 Contributors: 345Kai, Adoniscik, Alansohn, Aldux, Alex Bakharev, Alex earlier account, Andkaha, Angela,
AnonMoos, Anonymous Dissident, Antandrus, Apophenic, Aquarius Rising, Arthur Wellesley, Arya00, Ashley Y, Astrologist, Atlantianferret, August, Auntof6, Awh, BYZANTIVM, BenKovitz,
Bluemoose, Bluerasberry, Bobo192, Caltas, Cesarakg, Charles Matthews, Chika11, Cicdc, Clicketyclack, Colonel Warden, CommonsDelinker, Crakkpot, Cybercobra, Cyhawk, Deor, Dissolve,
Doc glasgow, Docu, Doric Loon, Draoi, Editor2020, El C, Ergative rlt, Eriugena121, EventHorizon, EverGreg, Extra999, Filll, Fuzzypeg, Gakrivas, GalaazV, Genius101, Gobonobo,
Hananekosan, Hibbleton, Hmains, Hobart, Hugo.arg, IanOsgood, Imlepid, Isokrates, Ittan, JDspeeder1, Jackfork, Jamesontai, Jeff3000, JesseRafe, John of Reading, Johnelwayrules, Jordibuma,
Jossi, Justanother, Kbdank71, Keber, Keenan Pepper, King of Hearts (old account 2), KnightRider, Korjaaja, Kp grewal, Kurtan, LadyofShalott, Laplace's Demon, LifeIsArt, Liosalfar, Lorynote,
Lost-inside, Luna Santin, Machine Elf 1735, Macksamaha, Macrakis, Maestlin, Mateuszica, Maurice Carbonaro, Medichound, Metagignosko, Michael Hardy, Mladifilozof, Mouse Nightshirt,
MrMcCarthy, MrOllie, Msanta800, Naerhu, Nakon, Nakos2208, Nasz, NawlinWiki, Nev1, Newagetechnopop, Nibuod, NickelShoe, Nishkid64, Nixdorf, Nolamgm, Palica, Philip Trueman,
Picknchewz, Pollinosisss, RDF, Random user 8384993, Renamed user 4, RookZERO, Rrburke, Sardanaphalus, Sbharris, Scapler, Sdorrance, Seaphoto, Shaggorama, Shii, Sidonuke,
Singinglemon, Singlewordedpoem, Snowolf, Some P. Erson, Srnec, Synergy, Tales23, The Thing That Should Not Be, TheYmode, Theelf29, Tom Lougheed, Tomisti, Totnesmartin, Urkelman,
Vald, Varlaam, Varlet16, Veil of Shadows, Versus22, Viriditas, Vrkaul, WadeSimMiser, Wareh, Wayne Slam, Wetman, WikHead, WikiDao, Wikipelli, Zanoni, Zello, Zvika, 252 anonymous
edits
Pythagoras Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=416393833 Contributors: 19.168, 3rdAlcove, 96.186, A bit iffy, A. di M., A.J.Chesswas, AAA!, ACupOfCoffee, APMiller,
Abach, Academic Challenger, Achilles, Across.The.Synapse, Acroterion, Adam Bishop, Adam Conover, Addshore, Adriaan, Adrian Sampson, Adzscott, Aelffin, Aeonx, Aeternus, Aetheling,
Aforencich, AgentFade2Black, AgentPeppermint, Agricultor, Ahoerstemeier, Aitias, Ajraddatz, Aksi great, Ale jrb, Aleenf1, AlexDenney, Algorithme, Alphachimp, Altenmann, Alynna Kasmira,
Amberrock, Anandbrar, Andargor, Andhika93, Andkaha, Andrasnm, Andre Engels, Andres, Andrewpmk, Angrytaco123, Angusmclellan, Animum, Ann Stouter, Annielogue, AnonMoos,
Anonymous Dissident, Anonymous anonymous, Anonymous56789, Antandrus, Antireconciler, Aprogressivist, Aquarius Rising, Archer7, Argos'Dad, Arjun01, ArmadniGeneral, Artaxiad,
ArthurDuhurst, Arty 1999, Asportspro, Astrologist, Asyndeton, Atlant, August, AuntieMormom, AvicAWB, Avicennasis, Awh, Ayudante, AzaToth, B.d.mills, BD2412, BMW 720i, BVegan2,
Bacchiad, Backtable, Badagnani, Banes, Banpei, Barneca, Beckylou23, Beezhive, Ben davison, Ben-Zin, BenKovitz, BenTels, Bender235, Benevolentkisses, Bgold4, Bgs022, Bhugh,
BigMacman, Bilbobee, Binabik80, Bioinformin, Blablaer, Blair Bonnett, Blockinblox, Blue520, Blueanode, Bob burkinson, BobTheTomato, Bobo192, Boboroshi, Bongwarrior,
Bookworm857158367, Borgx, Bovlb, Brazucs, BrianGV, Brion VIBBER, BrokenSphere, Bruce1ee, Brusegadi, Bsherr, Bubba hotep, Buickid, BullRangifer, Bumbumman, Bushytails,
CBDunkerson, CJLL Wright, CRGreathouse, Cactus.man, Caesarjbsquitti, Caltas, Calvin 1998, CambridgeBayWeather, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, CanadianCaesar, CanadianLinuxUser,
CardinalDan, Carpenoctem, Carrionluggage, Carton37172, Casius, Catalographer, Catalyst2007, Cavenba, Cenarium, Centaurioid, Ceoil, Chad1m, Chairboy, Chameleon, Charles Matthews,
CharlotteWebb, CheeseDog, Chika11, Chill doubt, Chitomcgee, Chodorkovskiy, Chris 73, Chrislk02, Chronicler, Ck lostsword, Coelacan, Collins.mc, Come to paddy, Cometstyles, Connection,
Connormah, Contest, Conversion script, Corpx, Crakinmackin, Curps, Cxz111, CzarB, D.Balaski, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, DBaba, DIEGO RICARDO PEREIRA, DVD R W, DVdm, Da stooges,
DanielCD, Danny-w, Danski14, DarkAvZ, Darkwind, Darrendeng, Dast, Davewild, David Underdown, Dawsonhenshaw, Dbachmann, Dddoooggg, DeadEyeArrow, Deadlyzen, DearPrudence,
Deathgun456, Dedoleo, Dekisugi, Delbert Grady, Delta Tango, Den fjättrade ankan, DennyColt, Deor, DerHexer, Deville, Dick Emery, Dicklyon, Diliff, Dimadick, DiscordantNote, Dismas,
Dissident, Dittaeva, Djproject, Dlohcierekim's sock, Dogwhelk, DonDiego, Donarreiskoffer, Donbert, Doug Bell, Dr spork, Dragomiloff, Dreadstar, Dualphasesaber, Dud94, Dycedarg, EALacey,
ERcheck, ESkog, Eaolson, Earldelawarr, Earthwormdiscples, East718, EdGl, Edgar181, Editmaniac, Editor2020, Edward321, Eequor, Ehman, Ej, Ekrub-ntyh, El C, Elbarto92, Emceerival, Emre
D., Englishnerd, Eric Kvaalen, Eriscool 12, EuPhyte, EvanProdromou, Everyking, Evil Monkey, Exert, Extransit, FDR, FJPB, FRS, Fabrictramp, Fang Aili, Fastfission, FeanorStar7,
Firetrap9254, FitzColinGerald, Flauto Dolce, Flowerparty, Flowerpotman, Fluri, Flying Hamster, Fordmadoxfraud, FranksValli, Frazzydee, Fredrik, FreplySpang, Fuhghettaboutit, FullMetal
Falcon, Func, Futurebird, FvdP, Gabbo555, Gaff, Gary King, Gaudio, Gauss, Gekritzl, Geneb1955, General Wesc, Geni, Geniac, Gfoley4, Giftlite, Gilliam, Girlsrul101, Givepain, Glacier Wolf,
Glen, Graham87, Greece666, GringoInChile, Grunt, Gsandi, Gscshoyru, Gurch, Guvnikov, Guyanesebaby, Gwernol, HJ Mitchell, HJK6, Hack-Man, Hadal, Hammer1980, Hanzaruhacheck,
Harej, Hatmatbbat10, Hayabusa future, Hayjohn, Haza-w, Hazard-SJ, Herk1955, Hhhhhhj, HiDrNick, Hinotori, HisSpaceResearch, Hmrox, Honbicot, Hpc, Hu12, Hut 8.5, I already forgot,
Iannigb, Icairns, Idiotoff, Igorwindsor, Ijhbdfvisrn, Ikiroid, Imasleepviking, Imusade, In Medias Spes, InfinityAndBeyond, Information Habitat, Infosocialist, Inwind, Irishguy, Isis07, Ixfd64,
J.delanoy, J8079s, JDPhD, JDspeeder1, JForget, JFreeman, JSpung, JYolkowski, Jagged 85, James086, JamesR, Jamespeterka, Jami6361, Jamsponge, Janderk, Jaraalbe, Jaredwf, Jaxl, Jaybriggs,
Jayjg, Jaymax, Jbamb, Jbergquist, Jbussell, Jclark256, Jcw69, JedStates, Jeepday, Jeff G., Jeffrey t b, Jennneal1313, JeremyA, Jfpierce, Jfsnjax, Jh51681, Jimokay, Jjjjjjh, Jmlk17, JoanneB,
Joe056, JohnSawyer, Johnleemk, Johnny Sumner, Jol123, Jon Awbrey, Jona Lendering, Jonathunder, Jonhays0, Jorf, Josh Parris, Jossi, JudiciousH, Jumbuck, Justanother, Justin Eiler, Jvbishop,
Jóna Þórunn, K2111ATIE, Kaicarver, Kaisershatner, Kalki, Kanġi Oĥanko, Karisade, Katalaveno, Katieh5584, Kbdank71, Kbh3rd, Kd050896, Kedi the tramp, Keilana, Keith Edkins, Kenders92,
Kerotan, Kesiyaj, Ketsuekigata, Khoikhoi, Kimon, King of Hearts (old account 2), Kingkaos0, Kipala, Kirrages, Kkm010, Knakts, KnightLago, Knights Templar, KnowledgeOfSelf, Knucmo2,
Koranjem, KoshVorlon, Kotuku33, Kptracey, Kribbeh, Kubigula, Kukini, Kungfuadam, Kungming2, Kuru, Kwertii, Kyle Barbour, Kyriakos, Kzollman, L Kensington, LAX, LOL, La Pizza11,
Lambiam, Laualoha, Leafyplant, Lebroyl, LeighvsOptimvsMaximvs, Leoadec, Lights, LilWille, Lilac Soul, Linkact12, LiquidLife, LittleDan, Llywrch, Loco4240, Logannoonan, Logical2u,
Longhair, Loren.wilton, Lorynote, LoveMonkey, Lucidish, Luk, Luna Santin, Lupo, M neimeyer, MER-C, MParshall, MPerel, Macintosh User, Magister Mathematicae, Magnus Manske,
Mahlum, Majorly, Mal4mac, Malaiya, Malcolm Farmer, Male1979, Mallanox, Mana2432, Mani1, Marc Venot, Marco Guzman, Jr, Mark Christensen, Marknau, Matt me, Mattdm, Matthewbc02,
Matthuxtable, Maurice Carbonaro, Mav, Maverick423, Mayooranathan, Mbertsch, Me wolf, Meggar, Mentifisto, Merope, Metron4, Mets501, Meursault2004, Mgales, Mhking, Michael Hardy,
MichaelBillington, Michaelas10, Michkalas, Mihai, Mike Segal, Mike gg5, Minna Sora no Shita, Mladifilozof, Mod.torrentrealm, Mordicus Egg, Mormonchess, Mr magnolias, Mr. Billion, Mr.
Lefty, MrFish, Mrmoocow, Mscuthbert, My name, Myanw, NBeale, NHRHS2010, NKSCF, Nakon, Nareek, Nasz, Nava 31, NawlinWiki, Ndn, Ndokos, Netkinetic, Neverquick, Nhatsux4eva,
NicholasTurnbull, Nick, Nick C, Nickeleon, NightMonkey, NikolaiLobachevsky, Nikolaos Bakalis, Nixdorf, Nlu, No Guru, Node ue, Norwikian, Nufy8, ObeyMe, Oda Mari, Odysses, Ogress,
Oleg Alexandrov, Omicronpersei8, Onef9day, Optim, Orbst, Orecalimo, Otojin, OverlordQ, OwenX, Oxymoron83, PGWG, Pacific PanDeist, Pak21, Papa November, PaperTruths, Parsifal, Part
Deux, Pascal.Tesson, PatrickA, Paul August, Pax:Vobiscum, Pbroks13, Pbrook, Pedant17, PeteShanosky, Peterlewis, Phatboi0.0, Philip Trueman, PhilipDSullivan, Philsopher Ben, Pigman,
Pilotguy, Pinethicket, Piniricc65, Pizza Puzzle, Pjb3293, Plattler01, Polenth, Pollinosisss, Prb4, PrestonH, Prestonmag, Prodego, Pseudomonas, Punkasl3, PuppyLover2410, Quendus, Quinsareth,
Quintote, Qwfp, Qxz, QzarBaron, R'n'B, R. S. Shaw, R.E. Freak, RDF, Radgeek, Randomjohn, Rashid 11, RazorICE, Rebecca Fleisher, Red Director, Redheylin, Rere65, Rettetast, Revolución,
RexNL, Riana, Rich Farmbrough, Richard D. LeCour, Rick Norwood, Rjwilmsi, Rnt20, Robma, Rory096, RoyBoy, RxS, Ryan Postlethwaite, Ryt, Ryulong, SDC, SMC, Saam 1,
Sacasticnousisawesome, Saiswa, Salad Days, Salix alba, Salvio giuliano, Sam Hocevar, Sam Korn, Sander123, Sardanaphalus, Saruha, Savant13, Scarian, Sceptre, Schizobullet, Schutz,
Scooter11, Scott14, Scriberius, Scrumshus, Sct72, Sdog 12, Sealpoint33, Sean D Martin, Seanwhim, Seb az86556, Selfworm, Servus Triviae, Sforzanda, Shabbat, Shalom Yechiel, Shanel,
Shaunwhim, Shii, Shimgray, Shoeofdeath, Shoessss, Shoy, Siener, Sietse Snel, Silly rabbit, Silverxxx, Simetrical, Singinglemon, SiobhanHansa, Sirtrebuchet, Sjakkalle, Sk238, Skant,
Skarioffszky, Skateboy73, SkerHawx, Slakr, Sleeping123, SlightlyMad, Sligocki, Snowolf, Sockettome, Solipsist, Some P. Erson, Someguy1221, Sompm, Sopoforic, Sorrow* *sister of Joy,
SpeedyGonsales, SpuriousQ, Squall-leon8, SquishedLizard, Sshadow, Stan Shebs, Stephen Sedgwick, Stephenb, Stephenchou0722, Stephensamuel, Steven Weston, Stevertigo, Student7,
Stupid666, SummonerMarc, Superbeecat, Supersonic111, Suslindisambiguator, Sverdrup, Symane, Sześćsetsześćdziesiątsześć, Szlam, TOertel, Tachyon01, Tangotango, Tanvir Ahmmed, Tapir
Terrific, Tarten5, Tbhotch, Tchoutoye, Tcnuk, Template namespace initialisation script, Terez27, Tex, The Epopt, The Man in Question, The Rambling Man, The Sage of Stamford, The enemies
of god, The undertow, TheDaftman, TheDevil, TheMadBaron, Thedjatclubrock, Thehelpfulone, Thejerm, Themanganator7, Themusicking, Theone00, Theos theory, Thoscsii, Tiddly Tom,
Tiger13, Timbouctou, Tjss, Tkuvho, Tlim7882, Tobias Hoevekamp, Tom Lougheed, TomPhil, Tomruen, TonyW, Toolazy21, Travelbird, Tree Biting Conspiracy, Triwbe, Troels Nybo, Tv316,
Twas Now, Twaz, Tzetzes, Ubardak, Uhfolks, Unfree, Ute in DC, Varanwal, Vaynor, Vcelloho, Vector4F, Vegan4peace, Venu62, Vikaszt, Viridae, VirtualDelight, Vitass13, Vittuone, Viznut,
Vrenator, WIN, Waffles&n00dles, Wafulz, Waggers, Wahoofive, Wareh, Wassermann, Wavemaster447, Werdan7, Weregerbil, Westlysims, Whiskey in the Jar, Widefox, Wiki alf, WikiDao,
WikiMichel, Wikipedia6469, William Avery, Wilt, Wimt, WinGeek, Wine Guy, Wintz75, Wolfgang975, Woohookitty, Wsiegmund, Wvurocks82, XJamRastafire, Yamamoto Ichiro,
YellowMonkey, Yorkshirian, Yousou, Yummifruitbat, YuriLandman, Zae, Zhou yi777, Zippanova, Zundark, Zzuuzz, Александър, రవిచంద్ర, 2558 anonymous edits
Philolaus Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=405941058 Contributors: Across.The.Synapse, Andres, Arie Inbar, August, Avitohol, Bender235, Binabik80, BorgQueen,
CRGreathouse, Catalographer, Caton, Charles Matthews, Chronicler, D. Webb, Dissolve, Erud, Everyking, FeanorStar7, Flauto Dolce, FocalPoint, Fordmadoxfraud, Ghaly, Girolamo Savonarola,
Glenn, Hajor, Igiffin, Igorwindsor, Infrangible, KRBN, Kelson, Klemen Kocjancic, Koranjem, Kurtan, Kzollman, Laurapr, LeaveSleaves, Leolaursen, LoveMonkey, Ludde23, Maestlin,
Margacst, Mrwuggs, Newkai, Nicolexo626, Nilmerg, Nuno Tavares, Oleg Alexandrov, Ospalh, Owen, Panairjdde, Paul August, Pergamino, Pollinosisss, QuartierLatin1968, Rich Farmbrough,
Ricky81682, Robin Hood, Singinglemon, Sshadow, T of Locri, Wareh, Whosasking, Wik, Woohookitty, XJamRastafire, Xaven, 28 anonymous edits
195
Alcmaeon of Croton Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=415578672 Contributors: Aldux, B9 hummingbird hovering, Bobo192, Catalographer, Charles Matthews, Chronicler,
EamonnPKeane, EauLibrarian, Fordmadoxfraud, Gazpacho, Gian-2, Hannes Eder, Igorwindsor, Iridescent, Jaraalbe, KSchutte, Ketiltrout, Kndiaye, Mladifilozof, Numbo3, Omnipaedista, Phoebe,
Place Clichy, QuartierLatin1968, Rjwilmsi, SimonP, Singinglemon, Tomisti, TreasuryTag, Vriullop, Wareh, Wiqi55, ‫ץכ דמלמ‬, 25 anonymous edits
Archytas Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=410402374 Contributors: A Macedonian, Alcove, Aldux, Amcfreely, Angelosante, ArepoEn, Ariobarzan, Binba, Buymyrabbits,
Catalographer, Caton, Chris the speller, Chronicler, CommonsDelinker, Darkwind, Datandrews, Dissolve, Eiorgiomugini, Eliyak, EoGuy, FranksValli, GcSwRhIc, Giftlite, Igiffin, Ignacio Icke,
Igorwindsor, Inwind, JEN9841, Jamesdowallen, Jan.Kamenicek, Jyril, KRBN, Kazvorpal, Keenan Pepper, Ketiltrout, Khatru2, Kostisl, Kzollman, Laurapr, Looxix, Margacst, MegX, Mhaesen,
Omar35880, Omnipedian, Onionmon, Oreo Priest, Panairjdde, Peruvianllama, Phoebe, Proyster, Pwqn, QuartierLatin1968, RJC, RedMC, Rjwilmsi, Saintswithin, Sciurinæ, Selfworm,
Singinglemon, Skeptic2, Sshadow, Sthenel, TOO, The One Muse, Tom harrison, Ugajin, Wareh, XJamRastafire, 33 anonymous edits
Heraclitus Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=417057484 Contributors: 15lsoucy, ABF, AN(Ger), Abou Ben Adhem, Across.The.Synapse, Adam Conover, Agmpinia,
Alansohn, Allstarecho, Andres, Angr, Antandrus, Anthon.Eff, Argos'Dad, Ashot Gabrielyan, Autrecourt, BVBede, Bernd in Japan, Bernstein2291, Bevo, Billinghurst, Binabik80, Blainster,
Bomac, Brion VIBBER, Bunniwhoops, Böri, CFGaussE, Catalographer, Cedricbear, Chaleyer61, Charles Matthews, Chowbok, Chronicler, Closedmouth, Connormah, Contrailflyer, Conversion
script, Crculver, Csladic, Cwoyte, Cyde, DBaba, DMG413, DNewhall, Damnreds, Danny, Darklilac, Davewho2, David goldstein, Dblk, Diderot, Dittaeva, Djnjwd, Drbug, Dsp13, Dysprosia,
Ekwos, El C, Erebus Morgaine, Ericg, Erkan Yilmaz, Evlekis, Ex0pos, Fabullus, FeanorStar7, Fififolle, Fishies Plaice, FranksValli, Fred114, GTBacchus, Gadfium, Gaius Cornelius, GheistLBW,
Goethean, Good Olfactory, Gregbard, Grizetta, Guy Peters, Gwern, Gwwfps, Headbomb, Hellohans, Hmains, Hpc, Hrld11, Huon, Hveziris, Ifixsubjectivemisinformation, Igni, Igorwindsor,
Inwind, JEN9841, JGoldman9, JYolkowski, Jamesontai, Jan1nad, Jaraalbe, Jaredwf, JesterCountess, Jiminy Brunswick, Jjshapiro, Joanmg, Jonathonjones, Jorunn, Jpb1301, KRBN, Kalki, Karl
Meier, Karl-Henner, Karmak, Katgurl, Kaweah, Kerotan, Knucmo2, Kp grewal, Leontios, Letranova, LightSpectra, LilHelpa, Linguist1, Llywrch, Lucidish, MK8, Machine Elf 1735, Mani1,
Mark Christensen, Martinhenz, Masalai, Master shepherd, Mattis, Mboverload, Mct mht, Mdebets, Meco, Mersenne, Miguel de Servet, Mindmatrix, Mladifilozof, Mrdice, Mrmoonnn, Mtevfrog,
Mu5ti, Muijz, Nagelfar, Naturyl, Nbarth, New veneficus, Newbyguesses, NickPenguin, Nikolaos Bakalis, Nixdorf, Nk, Noosphere, Nuno Tavares, Odysses, Optimale, Paul August, Paul-L,
Pedanti, Peres Triana, Phil Boswell, Philip Trueman, Pippu d'Angelo, Pit, Place Clichy, Plewin, Pollinosisss, Polylerus, Quadalpha, QuartierLatin1968, Rabio, Radgeek, RenamedUser2,
RepublicanJacobite, Rich Farmbrough, Rjwilmsi, Rycanada, Rémih, Sam Korn, Sardanaphalus, Satanael, Sergivs-en, SethTisue, Sethmahoney, Shield2, Shiggins2000, Simonides, Singinglemon,
Skomorokh, Spencer, Stan Shebs, Student7, Studerby, Suruena, Tailertoo, Tamoore21, Template namespace initialisation script, The Thing That Should Not Be, ThePeg, Vanished user
39948282, Varlaam, Vicki Rosenzweig, VivaEmilyDavies, W.M. O'Quinlan, Waltpohl, Wareh, Wetman, Woohookitty, XJamRastafire, Youandme, Young Pioneer, Zargulon, 230 anonymous
edits
Eleatics Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=409953763 Contributors: Adam Conover, Alansohn, AppaAliApsa, Ashot Gabrielyan, Barticus88, Bensaccount, Bkwillwm, Brz7,
Calcearius, Chochopk, DerBorg, Deucalionite, Dorieo21, El C, Good Olfactory, Grebaldar, Gregbard, Gwernol, Igorwindsor, Japanese Searobin, Kubra, Kyng, Laurapr, MeltBanana, Neelix,
Ocanter, Palica, Paul August, Pollinosisss, RJC, Sdorrance, Sethmahoney, Singinglemon, Steve Pucci, Template namespace initialisation script, Timault, Tnova4, Tr606, Vanished User 0001,
WhiteC, Woohookitty, 9 anonymous edits
Xenophanes Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=417193109 Contributors: Adam Conover, Andrew Dalby, Arcadie, Ashot Gabrielyan, Ausir, BD2412, Ben Babcock,
Calcearius, Catalographer, Chrislk02, Chronicler, Clossius, Cntras, CuteHappyBrute, D. Webb, Dekaels, Dreadstar, Dysmorodrepanis, Edward321, Escape Orbit, Ewulp, Expert12, FeanorStar7,
FilipeS, Flex, Francs2000, GSlicer, Gja34, Grantsky, Gwern, Hallmark, Hananeko, Hede2000, Hixteilchen, Hveziris, Hégésippe Cormier, Isokrates, JEN9841, JLROSENB, Japanese Searobin,
Jaraalbe, JohnOwens, Jon Awbrey, Josteinn, Juan José Moral, Justin Z, KRBN, KSchutte, Kku, Koavf, Kribbeh, Kwamikagami, Kzollman, LaMenta3, Laurapr, Lfh, Lucidish, Luna Santin,
Macrakis, Magioladitis, Maksym Ye., Matthew, Nev1, Nk, Nuno Tavares, O0pyromancer0o, Omnipedian, Oracleofottawa, Paul August, Pearle, Persianknight, Pit, Quihana, RJC, Radgeek,
Reindeergirl100, Rich Farmbrough, Roger Pearse, Roland2, RoyBoy, Satanael, Schneidegger, Shadowjams, Singinglemon, Sokratka, Sommers, Sshadow, Tassedethe, Terranovia360, Til
Eulenspiegel, Turpin-Jelfs, Usgnus, Vahagn Petrosyan, Varlaam, VivaEmilyDavies, VoluntarySlave, Wetman, Wmahan, XJamRastafire, ‫ينام‬, €pa, 88 anonymous edits
Parmenides Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=416952896 Contributors: ANTHROBUS, Abeg92, Adam Conover, Aethralis, Akhilleus, Alansohn, Alcove, Aldux, Andres,
Annielogue, AppaAliApsa, Argos'Dad, Arildfa, Astral, August, BYF, Barticus88, BjörnF, Blainster, Bohumir Zamecnik, Brion VIBBER, Britta glatzeder, Buck Mulligan, Bunty234, Calcearius,
Caponer, Catalographer, Cedric du Zob, Charles Matthews, Chgwheeler, Chick Bowen, Chris Roy, Chronicler, Colbywilkins, Conversion script, D. Webb, DBaba, Darwinek, Dast, Dawillia,
Dittaeva, Dlohcierekim's sock, Ed Poor, Edallen399, Ekwos, Elerium, Elysonius, Erkan Yilmaz, Evercat, Excirial, Faceyx, FitzColinGerald, Foucault's Pendulum Index, Gaius Cornelius,
GaleCarrLV, Garvint, Gene.arboit, Gilgamesh, Goethean, Grafen, Gregbard, Grubber, Gubbubu, Gundersen53, Gurch, Gwern, Haiduc, Hananeko, Haukurth, Head, Heron, Hiberniantears,
Igorwindsor, Ilya (usurped), Infosocialist, Inwind, Ivostefanov, JEN9841, Jaraalbe, Jennavecia, Jennneal1313, Jibegod, JimWae, Jkelly, Johnelwayrules, Jonnyopinion, Juan José Moral, KRBN,
Kalogeropoulos, Kierkegaardsho, Koavf, Koyaanis Qatsi, Kubra, Lambiam, Larry V, Larry_Sanger, Lestrade, Ligulem, Lindarosewood, LoveMonkey, Lucidish, MER-C, Masrudin, Mayor Pez,
Mijelliott, Mindmatrix, Monkeyblue, Moonside, Mythiran, Neelix, NewEnglandYankee, Nickeleon, Nikolaos Bakalis, Nixdorf, Nk, Obradovic Goran, Olsen111, Omnipaedista, Onodevo,
Ontoraul, OriginalJay, Palica, Paul August, Philogo, Pimlottc, Poppi12, Prolog, Qirex, R'n'B, RJC, Radgeek, Ran, Rlnewma, Robert K S, Robert1000, SJP, Sadi Carnot, Sanfranman59,
Sardanaphalus, SatyrTN, ScAvenger lv, Schneidegger, Sdedeo, Sdorrance, Sebesta, Shafei, Sharnak, ShelfSkewed, Singinglemon, Skarioffszky, Skomorokh, South Bay, SpuriousQ, Sshadow,
StaticVision, Taylordw, Tchoutoye, Template namespace initialisation script, That Guy, From That Show!, The Rock And Roll Pirate, The Sage of Stamford, The wub, TheAtomist, Thuresson,
Tide rolls, Tnova4, TreasuryTag, Unyoyega, Updatehelper, Uriah923, Verbist, VivaEmilyDavies, Wareh, Wgrey, WonderfulWiki, XJamRastafire, Xeno, Youssefsan, ‫ينام‬, 303 anonymous edits
Zeno of Elea Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=411050463 Contributors: Adam Conover, Aka042, Anas.zaidan, Andre Engels, Archelon, BiH, Binabik80, Blakecarlile,
Caponer, Catalographer, Caton, Chaleyer61, Charles Matthews, Christian75, Chronicler, Cobi, Columbiafan, Connormah, Cwbrownjr101, D. Webb, DNewhall, DanMS, Demicx, Discospinster,
Dittaeva, Dominic Hardstaff, Eequor, Epbr123, Esanchez7587, FeanorStar7, Flauto Dolce, Funandtrvl, Ghaly, Giftlite, Gogo Dodo, Gregbard, Gwern, Haiduc, Heptazane, Heron, Igorwindsor,
Ilya (usurped), Inwind, Isokrates, J'raxis, J.delanoy, JEN9841, JamesBWatson, Jaraalbe, Jbergquist, JiVE, Jic, JimWae, Joemalta, Josm, KRBN, KSchutte, Karl Dickman, Knucmo2, Kubiwan,
Kukini, Kwamikagami, Lapsus Linguae, Laurapr, Llywrch, Logan, Lucas(CA), Lucidish, Marc Venot, Markwiki, Marudubshinki, Matthew Fennell, Metamagician3000, Mimihitam, Morgan
Leigh, Msanta800, Myrvin, Newbyguesses, Newmanbe, Nk, Omnipaedista, Oracleofottawa, Oreo Priest, Paine Ellsworth, Paradoctor, Paul August, Petr Kopač, Pharaoh of the Wizards,
Pmanderson, Pouya, QuartierLatin1968, Quuxplusone, Rajah, Rjwilmsi, Robertg9, Sam Hocevar, Samuel sogunle, Santisan, Selfworm, Shizhao, Sidewayz35, Singinglemon, Snoyes,
Someguy1221, Sshadow, Steven Weston, Stevertigo, The Thing That Should Not Be, Tony927, Tothebarricades.tk, Tyrol5, Uriah923, Valydius, Varlaam, Willow1729, Wrp103, XJamRastafire,
Yamaguchi先生, Youssefsan, Zeno Gantner, Милан Јелисавчић, 166 anonymous edits
Zeno's paradoxes Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=417518817 Contributors: .mau., 041744, 100110100, 134.39.212.xxx, A E Francis, AJR, Alansohn, Albert2810, Alexnye,
Andre Engels, Andreas Kaufmann, Anonymous Dissident, Ansgarf, Antonrojo, Aphid360, Aprogressivist, Archibald Fitzchesterfield, Artichoker, Asbestos, Ash, Atraxani, AugPi, Auntof6,
Avnjay, AxelBoldt, AzaToth, Bass fishing physicist, Bcasterline, Bdesham, BenFrantzDale, Bert Carpenter, Bignose, BillFlis, Bjcairns, Bkpsusmitaa, BlackAndy, Blotwell, Bolddeciever, Borgx,
Breno, Brews ohare, CBM, CWii, CYD, Cage, Light in Shadows, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, Carados, Cardamon, Catgut, Centroyd, Chalnoth, ChrisHodgesUK, Christian List, Cjmnyc,
Clifton Ealy, CommonsDelinker, Conversion script, Crasshopper, Cratylus3, Creidieki, Cryptic C62, CubicStar, Cyan, D o m e, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, DJ Clayworth, DJBarney24, Dakirw8, Dan
Gluck, Danielt, Dave Runger, Dbtfz, Debresser, Decumanus, Dekimasu, Deli nk, Demiurge, Demonkey36, Destynova, Dogah, Domitori, Dra1001, DropDeadGorgias, Dsmith9 99,
Dysmorodrepanis, Ed Poor, Eequor, Egendomligt, Ekem, Elsweyn, Emelpy, Epbr123, Eusebeus, Evercat, Fabulous Creature, Faithlessthewonderboy, FilipeS, Flagman7, Flockmeal, Forlornturtle,
Fortesfortuna, Foxo103, Fru1tbat, Funnyguy555, Furrykef, Gabbe, Gaius Cornelius, Gandalfe, Geometry guy, Georg Muntingh, Georgiabiker, Gerardbeirne, Giftlite, Gilliam, Gimmetrow, Gomi
no sensei, GordonRoss, Graham87, Grorland, Gunnar Hendrich, Gut Monk, Hadal, Hairy Dude, Hamiltondaniel, Harvest day fool, Hasenj, Hellno2, Henrygb, Herostratus, Hgilbert,
Historyofmadness, Histrion, Hrafn, IGTHORN, Ian Page, Isokrates, Isopropyl, Itub, J.delanoy, Ja 62, Jafet, Jasperdoomen, Jbergquist, Jfliu, JimWae, Jimmy da tuna, Jiohdi, Jizzpus, JohnnyHom,
Jonathan.s.kt, Jrcassar, Junkyardprince, Jwfearn, KFP, Karada, Karmos, KearnsyK, Keenan Pepper, Kenmayer, Kesuari, Khukri, Knucmo2, Koavf, Kzollman, LGB, Lapasotka, Le Blue Dude,
Lee M, Liongold, Loadmaster, Lord Kyler, Lordvolton, LostLeviathan, Lotje, Lucas(CA), MC10, MSGJ, Machine Elf 1735, Mackinaw, Mad031683, Martarius, MartinHarper, Maurits, Maxim,
Michael Hardy, Michael Snow, MichaelExe, Michal Nebyla, Mike Rosoft, Miles, MisterDub, Moink, Monkey 05 06, Morwen, Mpcarter, Mr Elmo, Mr Freud, Mr T Experience, Mr2b,
Msanta800, Mschlindwein, Munford, Nachiketvartak, Newbyguesses, Ninja Wizard, Noe, Oilstone, Oreo Priest, Oskar Sigvardsson, Oxnard27, Paine Ellsworth, Paradoctor, PatrickFisher, Paul
August, Paul Murray, Pcap, Peterdjones, Pfagerburg, PhilHibbs, PhilipMW, Pichote, Pleasantville, Praveen pillay, Profitoftruth85, Pseudospin, PxT, QmunkE, QuantumEleven, RB972, RMFan1,
Raerae42n8, Raiden09, Raiden10, Raknarf44, Rasmus Faber, Raven4x4x, Rdsmith4, Recentchanges, Reiisi, Resistance futile, Reywas92, Rich Farmbrough, Rick Norwood, RickK, Rima8,
Rjwilmsi, Rob T Firefly, Robinh, Rogper, Romit3, Rsg, Ruakh, Ruanov, Ryan.vilbig, SMcCandlish, Sabalka, Saccerzd, Salsa Shark, Sam metal, Sanders muc, Sapphic, SchmuckyTheCat,
Scottcmu, Shane mc glinchy, Shikeishu, Shikexue2, Sibidiba, Sikon, Simetrical, Skomorokh, Skyshot, Slashme, Snalwibma, Spidern, Ssge, Steaphen, Stephen Bain, Steve Pucci, Su huynh,
Syncategoremata, Taffer9, Tarquin, Terence, Tety, Tgoodwil, Thaurisil, The Sage of Stamford, The Thing That Should Not Be, TheMolecularMan, Thedarkestclear, Thegeneralguy, Thingg,
Thomas Veil, Tim Starling, Timneu22, Timo Honkasalo, Tommy2010, Tony Sidaway, Trezatium, Tyrenius, Unyoyega, Uriah923, Velella, Vikreykja, Wereon, Wideshanks, Wiki alf, Wikid77,
Wikisquirrels, Wikky Horse, William M. Connolley, Woody, Ww, Xaoyin, XuetaoSweden, Yone Fernandes, Yufeilu, Zenosparadox, Zhou Yu, 772 anonymous edits
Melissus Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=343697193 Contributors: D6, DIEGO RICARDO PEREIRA, Gtrmp, Igorwindsor, Jerzy, Nagelfar, Omnipaedista, Pmanderson,
Ricky81682, Template namespace initialisation script, Utgard Loki, Wareh, Wetman, 1 anonymous edits
Pluralist school Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=408627323 Contributors: Barticus88, DanielNuyu, Gibby3xx, Gregbard, Igorwindsor, Isospin, Noaa, Singinglemon, Srnec,
Tomisti, 2 anonymous edits
Empedocles Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=417430942 Contributors: (chubbstar), Across.The.Synapse, Alan012, Andre Engels, Antiquary, Argos'Dad, August, AxelBoldt,
BD2412, Bacchiad, Banus, Binabik80, Blacksqr, BostonMA, Brion VIBBER, Brona, Bryan Derksen, Böri, Catalographer, Chamal N, Chronicler, Colonies Chris, Commodore Sloat, Connormah,
196
Conversion script, Crazycomputers, Ctande, CynicalMe, Dagoldman, DancingPenguin, Dittaeva, Doremítzwr, Dr.K., Draoi, Eeekster, Erosenfield, Ezhiki, F Notebook, Fabullus, FeanorStar7,
Fieldday-sunday, Fæ, Galootius, Godfrey Daniel, Gregbard, Gwern, Haiduc, Hajor, Hbackman, Hede2000, Heron, Igorwindsor, Infosocialist, Inwind, Iridescent, Isokrates, JEN9841, Jamesontai,
Jaraalbe, Jkelly, K.C. Tang, KRBN, Kalogeropoulos, Kaveh, Kdano, Kpjas, Kzollman, Lestrade, Llywrch, Lucidish, Ludde23, Machine Elf 1735, Magister Mathematicae, Mandarax, Maqs,
Mashford, McYel, Mladifilozof, Mozi17, Nagelfar, Narvalo, Neelix, Nickeleon, Nikolaos Bakalis, Nima Baghaei, Nixdorf, Nono64, NuclearWarfare, Paul August, Peruvianllama, Phiwum, Piano
non troppo, Place Clichy, Pollinosisss, Prolog, Quadell, Riddley, Rory096, Rror, SGreen, Sardanaphalus, Senhordopoder, Serein (renamed because of SUL), Sesu Prime, Shellwood,
Singinglemon, Soulfare, Sshadow, Stefanomione, Steve Icemen, Stevenmitchell, Szajci, TedE, The Sage of Stamford, The Thing That Should Not Be, TheKMan, Tommy2010, Tynosmedes,
Tyrol5, Tzetzes, Varlaam, Vipinhari, VivaEmilyDavies, Vmadeira, Wahabijaz, Wareh, Wetman, Woohookitty, XJamRastafire, Þjóðólfr, Александър, 197 anonymous edits
Anaxagoras Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=416704184 Contributors: 15lsoucy, Across.The.Synapse, Adam Bishop, Alcove, Aldux, Alex136, Alexrexpvt, Andre Engels,
AndreasJS, Andrew Dalby, Andrew Norman, Andycjp, Aristofane di bisanzio, Bejnar, Binabik80, Blainster, Bodnotbod, Captain panda, Catalographer, Ccj, Chaleyer61, Chronicler, Cntras,
Connormah, Conversion script, Crankelwitz, Critical Info, D. Webb, Daesotho, Dbachmann, Delirium, Discospinster, Dodo78, Dsp13, ET burger, EauLibrarian, Ed g2s, Fabullus, FeanorStar7,
FranksValli, Gregbard, GregorB, Guy Olding, Hannes Eder, Hidaspal, Hu12, IPSOS, Icydid, Igorwindsor, Infrogmation, JEN9841, Jan.Kamenicek, Japanese Searobin, Jaraalbe, Jossi, Jumbuck,
KRBN, Karl-Henner, Ketiltrout, Kimon, Kp grewal, Kpjas, Lacatosias, Lasermouse9, Lestrade, Lucidish, Lugnuts, MER-C, Martin saul, Matthew Fennell, Mattis, Michael Hardy, Mineralogy,
Miquonranger03, Momo san, MrH, MrOllie, Muijz, Neelix, Nfitz, Nikolaos Bakalis, Nuno Tavares, Olivier, Omegatron, Oracleofottawa, PeaceNT, Pedanti, Peruvianllama, Phoebe, Pollinosisss,
Prolog, Psychonaut, Qatter, Radgeek, Raul654, Rocastelo, S-squared-fs, SCCC, Sanja Simat, Sauve.d, Schmloof, Selfworm, Singinglemon, Skeptic2, Sobaka, Sshadow, Stevenmitchell, Str1977,
Sxilderik, The Man in Question, The Sage of Stamford, TheAtomist, Tothebarricades.tk, Tucci528, WBardwin, Wetman, WhiteC, Will Beback, XJamRastafire, Саша Стефановић, ‫لیقع فشاک‬,
141 anonymous edits
Atomism Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=416519072 Contributors: 3rdAlcove, ABCD, Acather96, Ahoerstemeier, Alan Peakall, Alcove, AlphaEta, Amakuha, Andriolo,
Antandrus, Ashley Y, Athenean, Atomist, Bachrach44, Banno, Benio76, Bogey97, Brandizzi, Buybuydandavis, Cacycle, Cadby Waydell Bainbrydge, Charles Matthews, CommonsDelinker,
Comrade42, Danny lost, Dbachmann, Deglr6328, Dfritter4, Dhp1080, Diremarc, Dittaeva, Dr Greg, Editor2020, Eequor, Eiorgiomugini, El C, Ellywa, Eloquence, Erkan Yilmaz, Evil Monkey,
Exxoo, Fabiform, Fabiolucas, Finell, Fortdj33, Funper, GalliasM, Gbertoli3, Gene Nygaard, Gimme danger, Godlord2, Gregbard, Guoguo12, GwydionM, HappyCamper, Headbomb, Hmains, Hr
oskar, Husond, Ianmathwiz7, Igorwindsor, IncognitoErgoSum, Indian Chronicles, Intangible, Isospin, J8079s, JWSchmidt, Jagged 85, Jean-François Clet, JimVC3, John Vandenberg, Jumbuck,
K95, Kajmal, Kcordina, Kjkolb, Kubanczyk, Kurzon, Kusunose, Laurascudder, Leolaursen, Leucipp3, LilHelpa, Linas, LoveMonkey, Machine Elf 1735, Manika, Maury Markowitz, Mdsats,
Merope, Michael Hardy, Mukerjee, Nilmerg, Ninly, NoychoH, Oerjan, Oleg Alexandrov, Omkargokhale, Paper.plane.pilot, Peterdjones, Petr Kopač, Pigman, Prophetvcn, Quixotex, R'n'B, RG2,
Ragesoss, Ral315, Rednblu, Reindra, Rettetast, Rjwilmsi, Roshraw, Sa9097, Samohyl Jan, Sbharris, SchuminWeb, Seraphita, Shanoman, Silentlight, SimonP, Singinglemon, Sir Vicious,
Sluzzelin, SonOfNothing, Spacepotato, Special-T, SpuriousQ, Stannered, SteveMcCluskey, Strom, Syncategoremata, Tdmg, Tellyaddict, The Transhumanist, Tomisti, Tregoweth, Truthflux,
Twas Now, Ujm, Ungtss, Uriah923, Vary, Wetman, Wik, Wile E. Heresiarch, Wolfkeeper, Woohookitty, Xerxes314, Yensin, 251 anonymous edits
Leucippus Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=417545546 Contributors: -- April, 15lsoucy, 65.197.2.xxx, Across.The.Synapse, Adam Conover, Alcove, AnakngAraw, Andrew
Lancaster, Andysoh, Aviados, Ben-Zin, Bento00, Blanchardb, Bongwarrior, Bryan Derksen, Buridan, CABlankenship, Catalographer, Chaleyer61, Chronicler, CommonsDelinker, Comrade42,
Conversion script, Cureden, Cyfal, DGG, DVdm, Davor, Dbachmann, Decltype, Delirium, Dr Aaij, Drj, Dureo, Dysmorodrepanis, Egmontaz, Epbr123, Exabyte, Fabullus, FlagSteward, Flewis,
FranksValli, Garrettissupercool, Giftlite, Gogobera, Gregbard, Gum375, Hidaspal, Hmains, Igorwindsor, IloveXC, Infosocialist, Inwind, Isokrates, Isospin, J.delanoy, JEN9841, Jguk 2, JohnCD,
KRBN, Karl-Henner, Kim-Zhang-Hong, Kostisl, Kralizec!, Kyle Barbour, Kzollman, Laurapr, Lazylaces, Lestrade, Lucidish, MER-C, Machine Elf 1735, MattieTK, Nagelfar, Ncmvocalist,
NewEnglandYankee, Nixdorf, Nk, Nuno Tavares, Palica, Pharaoh of the Wizards, Philip Trueman, Piano non troppo, Place Clichy, Pollinosisss, Profoss, Quixotex, RL0919, Radgeek, RexNL,
Rgamble, Ringsjöodjuren, Robertg9, SMasters, Sadi Carnot, Shadygrove2007, Singinglemon, Sjakkalle, Sluzzelin, Smood922, Sshadow, StaticGull, Talashira, Template namespace initialisation
script, Thehelpfulone, Tide rolls, Treharne, Tucci528, UB65, Unyoyega, Varlaam, Viktor, VivaEmilyDavies, Wclark, Wetman, XJamRastafire, Ziusudra, 115 anonymous edits
Democritus Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=417496497 Contributors: 15young15, 3rdAlcove, A little insignificant, ABF, ACED15, Abarry, AbhijayM., AcesOfClubs,
Across.The.Synapse, Acroterion, Adam Conover, Adamahill, Aditya, Agoodperson, Ahoerstemeier, Aircorn, Aitias, Alansohn, Ale jrb, Alexius08, Allstarecho, Alras Sare, Amalthea, Amerika,
Andres, Andrewlp1991, Anna Lincoln, AnnaFrance, Anonymous Dissident, Antandrus, Arabianjew1, Aremith, ArglebargleIV, Argos'Dad, ArmadilloFromHell, Art LaPella, Asian Maliha,
Asm82, Athenean, Atif.t2, Avoided, BVBede, Bababa12, Banno, Barneywikipediaeditor, Bayerischermann, BeewBeewBeew, Ben davison, Ben-Zin, Benio76, Betacommand, Bevo, Bhadani,
Bihco, Bill37212, Binabik80, Bionicuser01, Bkwillwm, Blah28948, Blah3, Blameloose, Blanchardb, Blehfu, BloodDoll, Bobo192, Bodnotbod, Bogey97, Boing! said Zebedee, Bomac,
Bookranda, Breakdanser, BrettAllen, Brion VIBBER, BrokenSegue, Bsod2, Bunnyhop11, Butchcu09, Byron130694, CABlankenship, CABlannkenship, Caknuck, Calebakoo, Callipides, Calmer
Waters, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, CanadianLinuxUser, Canadianism, Canterbury Tail, Capricorn42, CaptainVindaloo, CardinalDan, Carter, Cassiesinks, Cassivs, Catalographer, Cflm001,
Chaleyer61, Ched Davis, ChemGardener, Chipnyu, Chris the speller, Chrislpf, Chronicler, Cje, Closedmouth, Clubjuggle, Cntras, Cometstyles, Comrade42, ConCompS, Coneslayer, Connection,
Conscious, Conversion script, Cooleyohhoho, Courcelles, Cuchullain, D. Webb, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, DMacks, DVD R W, DVdm, Damersr261, Dan100, DanielRigal, Danny, Davehi1,
Davewild, Dawn Bard, Dcandeto, Debivort, Dekaels, DennyColt, DerHexer, Dhp1080, Dicklyon, Discospinster, Dittaeva, Djyang, Doniago, Dougofborg, Dylan Lake, E.P.Y. Foundation,
E2eamon, ESkog, Edivorce, Egmontaz, El aprendelenguas, Ellsworth, Ellywa, Eloquence, Emc2, Endhits, Enviroboy, Epbr123, Equazcion, Equendil, Erkan Yilmaz, Escape Orbit, Ev, Evercat,
Everyking, Excirial, F Notebook, FF2010, Fabullus, Falcon8765, Farquaadhnchmn, FeanorStar7, Feyre, Fieldday-sunday, Fijiljhn, Fish,chips+mushypeas, Fox, Frankenpuppy, FranksValli,
Frazzydee, FreplySpang, Funnyfarmofdoom, Fæ, Gandria, GarudaZuke, Genius101, Ghaly, Giftlite, Gilliam, Gimmetrow, Giraffedata, Gogo Dodo, GoingBatty, Goldfritha, Gracenotes,
Greece666, Gurch, Gwernol, Gzkn, Hadal, Hagerman, HamatoKameko, HamburgerRadio, Henriquemaia, Hfjde, HiDrNick, Holocron, Horselover Frost, Hu12, Hut 8.5, Hydrogen Iodide,
IHASashfuia, IRP, IW.HG, Icairns, Icseaturtles, Igni, Ilyushka88, Imnotminkus, Infosocialist, Insanity Incarnate, Inwind, Ionescuac, Iranway, Iridescent, Isokrates, J. Spencer, J.delanoy, J8079s,
JEN9841, JForget, JKeck, JNW, JaGa, Jackaranga, Jagr0068, Jaraalbe, Jazimine, Jbourj, Jcrocker, JdwNYC, Jebus989, Jeffrey Mall, Jeffrey O. Gustafson, Jessa bell21, JesterCountess, Jimp,
Jj137, Jmundo, Jnivekk, JoanneB, JodyB, Johnwrw, Jojhutton, Joker.cardz, Josh3580, JoshHolloway, Joshbuddy, Jovianeye, Jpgordon, Jrmayberry, Juanpdp, Junglecat, Junuxx, Jusdafax, Jwy,
Jyril, KGasso, KRBN, Kakofonous, Kanogul, Kansoku, Kennethex, Ketsuekigata, Khatru2, Kidigus, Kimon, Kingpin13, Kingturtle, Kiwi128, KnowledgeOfSelf, Kzollman, LOL, Landrd,
Laurapr, Lazulilasher, LedgendGamer, Letstalk, Lexi Marie, Liddy01, Lilac Soul, Lindmere, LittleOldMe old, LizardJr8, Llort, Lordbrooker, Lucidish, Luna Santin, MER-C, MONGO,
Maadmamma, Machine Elf 1735, Madkayaker, Magister Mathematicae, Mal4mac, Mallocks, Mandarax, Mani1, MarcoTolo, Marek69, Mark.murphy, Martial75, Materialscientist, Matthardingu,
Matthew Brandon Yeager, Matthew Yeager, Maxidater, Maximillion Pegasus, Mazca, Maziotis, McSly, Mefanch, Mentifisto, Merickson3006, Mgiganteus1, Miaow Miaow, MichaelTinkler,
Michfan2123, MickCallaghan, Mike Rosoft, Mikko Paananen, Mindmatrix, MindstormsKid, Mistico, Mjpieters, Monegasque, Monroetransfer, Moonside, Moralis, Mr Stephen, MrH, Mrmrgarra,
Mufka, Munita Prasad, Myrdell, N Shar, N5iln, NHRHS2010, Nancy, Narcisse, NawlinWiki, Neddyseagoon, NellieBly, Nemesis of Reason, Nev1, NewEnglandYankee, Newbyguesses, Newone,
NicholB, Nick, Nikolaos Bakalis, Ningauble, Nishkid64, Nixdorf, Nk, No Guru, Noah Salzman, Noctibus, NotAnonymous0, Nsaa, Nuno Tavares, Odie5533, Oilstone, Old Moonraker,
Omkargokhale, Onorem, Orbst, OwenX, Oxymoron83, PGWG, Paintblock, Palica, Parthian Scribe, Patstuart, Paul August, Pennywisdom2099, Persian Poet Gal, Peruvianllama, Peterlewis,
Phantomsteve, Phearson, Phil Boswell, Philip Trueman, Physis, PiMaster3, Piano non troppo, Pie4all88, Pilotguy, Pinball22, Pingveno, Pinochet au poulet, Pishogue, Pollinosisss, Possum,
PostTaylor, Prolog, Protonk, Pyrrhus16, QuartierLatin1968, Quixotex, R'n'B, RJHall, Racconish, Radgeek, Radon210, Rajah, Ral315, Random contributor, RandomP, Range125, Raudys, Raven
in Orbit, Rednblu, Regibox, Repmetnellaf, Richard Weil, Richardhughesjr, Rightfully in First Place, Robomaeyhem, RodC, RoyBoy, Rrburke, Rror, SDC, SJP, Sanby, Sardanaphalus, Saruha,
Sciurinæ, Scott5114, ScottyShive, Seemine, Selfworm, Sethmahoney, Setsuden, Shadowjams, Shanes, Shanigirl, Sharna91, Sharonlees, Sidonuke, Silverxxx, Singbird96, Singinglemon, Skapur,
Skarebo, SkerHawx, Skier Dude, Slakr, Sluzzelin, Smalljim, SmilesALot, SnackTime850, Some P. Erson, Sonoraborealis, SpaceFlight89, SpeakARM, Special Cases, Spitfire8520, Sreekanthv,
Sshadow, Steven Weston, Stevestrange, Stlom, Stwalkerster, Superwikipediaeditor, Tarquin, Tbhotch, Template namespace initialisation script, Thatperson, The Man in Question, The Obento
Musubi, The Rambling Man, The Thing That Should Not Be, The Utahraptor, Theadder, Thedemonhog, Thehelpfulone, Thingg, Think outside the box, TicketMan, Tiddly Tom, Tide rolls,
TiffLovesJonas, Tiggerjay, Timeu, TobyK, Tohd8BohaithuGh1, Tokiownsall, Tom harrison, TonyW, Totalloose, Trusilver, Ttwaring, Tzetzes, Ulric1313, Uriah923, Vanished User 3388458,
Varlaam, Velella, Violetkei, Viridae, VivaEmilyDavies, Vrenator, Vsmith, WJK84, WadeSimMiser, Waterfox, Wayiran, Wayne Slam, WelshMatt, West.andrew.g, WestwoodMatt,
Whosyourjudas, Wiki alf, Wikilouise, Wikipedia editor123, Wikipediarama, William Avery, Woohookitty, Wtmitchell, Wuhwuzdat, XJamRastafire, Xanthoptica, Xhaoz, Xiong Chiamiov,
Zaheen, Zahid Abdassabur, ‫ينام‬, 1909 anonymous edits
Sophism Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=416167897 Contributors: 6birc, Adam Conover, Aeusoes1, Alexalderman, AndriuZ, Andycjp, Angr, Antandrus, Apathyjunkie,
ArcticFrog, Atfyfe, AubreyEllenShomo, Avaiki, Badman89, Banno, Batmanand, BenRG, Berbex, BertSeghers, Bob A, Borgx, Bporopat, BrendanRyan, Bryan121, Bugg, Caesarjbsquitti,
CartoonChess, Catalographer, Ciphers, Cjwright79, Cma6, CryptoDerk, Cybercobra, Dan, Danmaz74, Dantadd, David Shay, Dbachmann, Dcoetzee, Designatevoid, Dishcmds, Djcastel, Dmoss,
Download, Dreftymac, El C, Emdrgreg, Empiricist84, EricBright, Esanchez7587, Esimal, Esperant, Everyking, FlavrSavr, Francis Schonken, Fredil Yupigo, Freestylefrappe, Freiberg, G.W.,
Geanixx, Gettafix, Girolamo Savonarola, Glenn, Go For It, Gregbard, Heavens To Betsy, Heyitspeter, Hriber, Hydrargyrum, IVAN3MAN, Icundell, Ida Shaw, Igorwindsor, Infinity0, Isokrates,
JASpencer, JW1805, JaGa, Jeff3000, Jeremygbyrne, Jim15936, Jimiii22, Jitterro, Jmaster456, JoeSmack, John Deas, Jon Awbrey, Juliancolton, Julior, K, KSchutte, Keepscases, Khalid hassani,
Kijeren, Korg, Kotra, Kwertii, Lamiastorme, Lapaz, Life of Riley, LoveMonkey, Lucidish, Lulujannings, Macevoy, Machine Elf 1735, Mani1, Matt Gies, Meatspinclock, Metamagician3000,
Mijelliott, Mikaey, Mineminemine, Mmyers1976, Morgaledh, Mrg3105, Narvalo, Neelix, Nikolaos Bakalis, Omnipaedista, Oranjemens, Oreo Priest, Paul August, Pearle, Pedanti, Philip Cross,
Picaresquity, Plumbago, Pollinosisss, Project2501a, PubliusFL, RJC, RJMalko, Reinis, Rfc1394, Rhobite, Rickyrab, Rjwilmsi, Robin Hood, Ruud Koot, Salms, Sardanaphalus, Sdorrance,
SeamusSweeney, Seaphoto, Semifinalist, Shakenflake, SidP, Singinglemon, SlowMovingTarget, Square87, Stevertigo, ThePedanticPrick, Timmyballoon, Tomisti, Unfree, Vajrallan, Velho, WAS
4.250, Wanderer, Wareh, Wran, Yerpo, ZX81, Александър, 246 anonymous edits
Protagoras Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=416704233 Contributors: 20040302, Across.The.Synapse, Aethernitas, Alphachimp, Anchjo, And Rew, Argos'Dad, Arjayay,
Askeron, Atethnekos, Aypdk, Bacchiad, Bishonen, Bogdangiusca, Borat.launius, Bryan Derksen, Buridan, Catalographer, Cenarium, Cfailde, Chochopk, Christofurio, Chronicler, Clicketyclack,
Cntras, CommonsDelinker, Conversion script, Correogsk, Crust, DanielCD, December21st2012Freak, DerMeister, Deucalionite, Dfass, FeanorStar7, Gkerkvliet, Good Olfactory, Iancaddy,
Igorwindsor, Infosocialist, Inwind, Isthatyou, IuvenisJacobus, JSeal, Jaraalbe, Jason Carreiro, Jibegod, Jmah, JorgeGG, Joseeph, KRBN, Kallah17, Karl-Henner, Knucmo2, Kwsn, Leranedo,
197
Lestrade, Lucidish, Mark Christensen, Mattbarton.exe, Matthew Auger, Mel Etitis, MichaelTinkler, Mlehene, Moheroy, Nagelfar, Neelix, Neilc, Nixdorf, Nk, Obradovic Goran, Paul August,
Picapica, Pmanderson, Pollinosisss, Poor Yorick, Quarty, RJHall, Radgeek, Ravenous, RexNL, Rich Farmbrough, Ricky81682, Rigadoun, Robin Hood, RogDel, Siebrand, Singinglemon,
Skeptic2, Sshadow, Tanuki Z, Template namespace initialisation script, Trusilver, UDScott, Varlaam, Viriditas, VivaEmilyDavies, Wahabijaz, Wareh, Whytecypress, WikiPedant, Wikiklrsc,
Yekrats, Zaheen, ‫טראהנייר ירעל‬, 94 anonymous edits
Gorgias Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=413860484 Contributors: 11MarkONE, 15lsoucy, Across.The.Synapse, Adam Conover, Aldux, Altenmann, AndreasJS, Arcadian,
Argos'Dad, Aspirin99, Berasategui, Binabik80, BokicaK, Bporopat, Briangotts, Catalographer, Chochopk, Chronicler, Corax, Dast, Demicx, Deucalionite, Dpaking, DropDeadGorgias, Dvulture,
Elian, Ellywa, Erud, FeanorStar7, Flauto Dolce, Fordmadoxfraud, Gscshoyru, Hephaestos, Heyitspeter, Hikingkyle393, Hmains, Hpvpp, Igorwindsor, Isokrates, Kalogeropoulos, Koveras,
Lestrade, Lotje, Lucidish, Macellarius, Machine Elf 1735, Mahmudmasri, Mattbarton.exe, Maunus, Neelix, Newkai, Nixdorf, Nk, Noetica, Norman12244, OreL.D, Pmanderson, Pollinosisss,
Radgeek, RafaAzevedo, Rich Farmbrough, Ricky81682, Rjwilmsi, SGGH, Sam Hocevar, Simonburr, Singinglemon, Slappy0189, Sshadow, Stefanomione, TOO, Template namespace
initialisation script, Tikiwont, Varlaam, VivaEmilyDavies, Wareh, Wolterstorff, Xgoni, Yannismarou, Zeitgeist, ‫טראהנייר ירעל‬, 68 anonymous edits
Hippias Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=408569459 Contributors: Access Denied, Acegikmo1, Adam Bishop, Aeusoes1, Aldux, Berasategui, BirgitteSB, Bobo192,
Catalographer, Caton, Centrx, DC, DIEGO RICARDO PEREIRA, Delirium, FreplySpang, Girolamo Savonarola, GoingBatty, GregorB, HeartofaDog, Hmains, Igorwindsor, Jagdfeld, Jaraalbe,
Kelson, Kostisl, Lucidish, Margacst, Mariule, Neelix, Nic bor, PatGallacher, Pearle, Peruvianllama, RJFJR, RexNL, Rjwilmsi, Selfworm, Singinglemon, Squids and Chips, Sshadow, Subitosera,
Wayne Slam, Xgoni, Yknok29, 26 anonymous edits
Prodicus Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=409880351 Contributors: Across.The.Synapse, Adam Conover, Aldux, Alfreddo, Badseed, Cantrix, Catalographer, Curtisdozier,
Delirium, Emilio Juanatey, Erud, FocalPoint, Igorwindsor, Isokrates, Jaraalbe, Karl-Henner, Lestrade, Llywrch, Lykos, M.e, Margacst, Master shepherd, Nixdorf, Pmanderson, Poeloq, Radgeek,
RogDel, SD6-Agent, Singinglemon, Squids and Chips, Sshadow, Template namespace initialisation script, Tevildo, VivaEmilyDavies, 22 anonymous edits
Seven Sages of Greece Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=417448819 Contributors: Aeonx, Aldux, Andres, Andy Marchbanks, ArmadniGeneral, Bazuz, Bigturtle, Bilsonius,
Bluemoose, Bruce Keyno, Constcon, DIEGO RICARDO PEREIRA, DNewhall, DavidVillalba, Dblk, Deucalionite, DiogenesTCP, Doktor Waterhouse, Dorftrottel, Dpr, Erud, Hajor, Hercule,
Hubert22, Igiffin, Immanuel Giel, Isokrates, Jeff G., Jeronimo, Johnatx, JorgeGG, Julesd, Karol Langner, Kbdank71, Kleinzach, Kpjas, Kuralyov, Lestrade, LiDaobing, Lijie, Lkinkade,
LostAtlantis, Loupeter, Lucinos, Mankar Camoran, Miskin, Mitrius, Nefasdicere, Neutrality, Nixdorf, Novasus13, Odysses, Palica, Panairjdde, Pax:Vobiscum, Roberta F., Robin Hood, Roi 1986,
Ronald King, Salgueiro, Scorwin, Seresin, Shafei, Singinglemon, Smack, Stbalbach, Stevensaylor, StopItTidyUp, Supachikn, Surnólë, Terry J. Carter, Trewal, Umptious, Unint, WHEELER,
WhiskeyVan, Zigger, 49 anonymous edits
Solon Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=417219389 Contributors: 15lsoucy, A.Cython, A.J.Chesswas, Abu America, ActivExpression, Adam Bishop, Aditya, Aeonx,
Ahoerstemeier, Akendall, Akhilleus, Alcmaeonid, Aminullah, Amphitryoniades, Anawhoisawitch, Andre Engels, Andy nguyen, Antandrus, Ariobarzan, Arion 3x3, Asdfg12345,
Astroview120mm, BVBede, Bangles39, Barbatus, Beej, Bender235, Biglovinb, Bill Thayer, BillDeanCarter, Binabik80, Blah28948, Bobo192, BokicaK, Brian0918, Bsadowski1, Buddha9002, C.
Foultz, Call me Bubba, Caltas, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, Canderson7, Carlossuarez46, Catalographer, Ceyockey, Chaleyer61, Chcochrane, Chlandis, Chrislk02, Chronicler, Chronographos,
Connection, Courcelles, Crazycomputers, Crazysamurai, Curps, D. Webb, DMacks, DSRH, Daniel Case, DanielEng, Dbachmann, Dbratland, DeadEyeArrow, Dekaels, DelJE, Delldot,
Demiurgos, Denihilonihil, Deor, DerHexer, Deucalionite, Discospinster, Djnjwd, Dmscramjet, Docu, Doug Bell, Dougbraden, Drms, EALacey, Ealdgyth, El-Ahrairah, Elkman, Epbr123,
Ericoides, Errabee, Esseinrebusinanetamenfatearenecessest, Etz Haim, EurekaLott, Eweeks5171, Faithx5, Favonian, FeanorStar7, Flockmeal, Fordmadoxfraud, Fullstop, Gadren, Geeman,
GenkiNeko, Gianfranco, Gilguillory, Gilliam, Goodnightmush, Graham87, Greek2, Grinder0-0, Gscshoyru, Guanaco, Gurch, Haiduc, Hairy Dude, Haphazardian, Haploidavey, Harne, Howcheng,
Hu12, Hut 8.5, I, Podius, IRP, Ian Pitchford, IceKarma, Ilovekori, Indigo, Iner22, Interstate295revisited, Iothiania, It Is Me Here, J04n, JJgiveaway, JMK, Jackfork, Jj137, Jkreinbr, JoJan, Johnor,
Jonathanfoss, Joseph A. Spadaro, Joyous!, Jperrylsu, Jrcla2, Jubadah, Karenjc, Kerotan, Kingpin13, Kingturtle, Kpjas, L Kensington, Ligulem, LilHelpa, Llywrch, Lucretius, Luna Santin,
MParshall, Maksym Ye., Markwiki, Martey, Massimo Macconi, McZeus, Meheren, Michael Slone, Mild Bill Hiccup, Mimihitam, Miskin, Mr Adequate, Mr. Lefty, Mr.research, Nakos2208,
Nenyedi, Nyp, O0pyromancer0o, Oacampbell, Odie5533, Odysses, Ojigiri, On the other side, OneWeirdDude, Ottawa4ever, Padem, Pascal.Tesson, Paul August, Paul venter, Pb30, Pearle,
PerlKnitter, Peter Isotalo, Phatom87, Phil Sandifer, Philippe, Pi zza314159, Pmanderson, Pollinosisss, ProphetOfPanda, R'n'B, RJC, Rchf, Redheaddude, Ricky81682, Rjwilmsi, RogDel,
RoyBoy, Rrburke, SDC, Scientizzle, Seano1, Serche, Shanes, Shii, Shizhao, Silversink, Simeon H, Singinglemon, Sirala, Sjakkalle, Smack, Soczyczi, Solon's gal, SomeUsr, Stan Shebs,
Starnestommy, Static Universe, Str1977, Sumahoy, Sus scrofa, Suwa, Ta bu shi da yu, The wub, TheGrza, Theonewhoisawitch, Thingg, Tide rolls, Tim1357, Tonalone, Truert, Uncle Dick,
UtherSRG, Van der Hoorn, Vasile, Vivaitalia57, Vorratt, Wareh, WarthogDemon, Wikidudeman, Wolfietrausch, Woohookitty, Yahel Guhan, Yoshaviah, Yunfeng, Zarathura, Zigoman, ‫יבליב‬,
475 anonymous edits
Chilon of Sparta Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=415199641 Contributors: Alma Pater, Aziz1005, Catalographer, CommonsDelinker, DGG, Demiurgos, Erud,
FredrikLähnn, Geogre, Hidaspal, Hubert22, Kintetsubuffalo, Kostisl, Lambiam, Manytexts, Odysses, Omnipedian, Pumpie, Pvasiliadis, Red 81, Singinglemon, TOO, Taborgate, Therefore,
Titanium, Udimu, Unyoyega, WolfmanSF, 22 anonymous edits
Bias of Priene Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=415200104 Contributors: A Macedonian, AlainV, Alfreddo, Bazuz, Constcon, DelianDiver, Demiurgos, Erud, Goldfritha,
Hajor, Jaraalbe, Jastrow, Kostisl, Lestrade, Manytexts, Michael Hardy, Odysses, RexNL, Singinglemon, TOO, 17 anonymous edits
Cleobulus Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=415198600 Contributors: Bill Thayer, Chronicler, Constcon, Cplakidas, D6, Demiurgos, Eep², Erud, Hubert22, Kostisl, Odysses,
Omnipaedista, Rjwilmsi, Singinglemon, Skinhat, Stan Shebs, Tomisti, Varlaam, 7 anonymous edits
Pittacus of Mytilene Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=415200775 Contributors: A Macedonian, Alma Pater, Catalographer, DNewhall, Danny, Demiurgos, Dimadick,
Dorieo21, Erud, Essjay, FeanorStar7, Frencheigh, Illyad, Jaraalbe, Jasparcy, Jastrow, John Reid, Kostisl, Kyle Barbour, Macedonius, Odysses, Palica, Phe, Sfiga, Singinglemon, Str1977, TOO,
Vahagn Petrosyan, 9 anonymous edits
Periander Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=415201181 Contributors: A Nobody, Adam Bishop, Aizhexue, Bacchiad, Bazuz, Brandmeister, Catalographer, Cplakidas,
Deucalionite, Dimadick, Dr.K., Eclecticology, Erud, Hemlock Martinis, Hmains, Is is Is, Jaraalbe, Jastrow, Kasetuh, Kostisl, Marcusaurelius161, Moustan, Odysses, Omar35880, Rjwilmsi,
Robth, Singinglemon, Stevenmitchell, Student7, TOO, Ta bu shi da yu, Tucci528, Vald, WojciechSwiderski, 12 anonymous edits
Diogenes of Apollonia Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=414841796 Contributors: Aldux, Analogdrift, Bag of Poop, BryanD, Catalographer, Caton, Chillowack, Chronicler,
David Stewart, Deucalionite, Dungodung, Durova, Eduard Gherkin, Erud, Fabullus, Gaius Cornelius, Igorwindsor, Immanuel1, Isokrates, Ivan Bajlo, JEN9841, Jaraalbe, JohnCD, Laurapr,
Lucidish, Maurice Carbonaro, Michael Snow, MrJones, Nixdorf, Ontoraul, Pm67nz, RR, Singinglemon, Srnec, Trilobitealive, 14 anonymous edits
Aristeas Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=412751098 Contributors: Andrew Dalby, Bejnar, CRGreathouse, Camoflauge, Catalographer, Chl, Chronicler, Daibhid C,
Dimadick, Drmaik, Eckhart Wörner, Editor2020, FeanorStar7, Medeis, Mhaesen, Michael Hardy, Omnipaedista, Pagebird, RL0919, Ravenous, Rolf123, Sadads, Sietse Snel, SimonP, SoM,
Thesteadyhand, VivaEmilyDavies, Ztankosic, 20 anonymous edits
Pherecydes of Syros Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=411184255 Contributors: Alcove, Aldux, Aua, Bacchiad, Cplakidas, Davidc, Deucalionite, Dorieo21, Emilio Juanatey,
Erud, FocalPoint, Hebrides, Icairns, Igorwindsor, Interfector, Inwind, Jaraalbe, Joyous!, Monegasque, Nagelfar, Nixdorf, Pictureuploader, Pmanderson, Pollinosisss, Singinglemon, Sshadow, The
Sage of Stamford, Tzetzes, VivaEmilyDavies, XJamRastafire, 33 anonymous edits
Anacharsis Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=408564003 Contributors: Abu America, Alex '05, Alfreddo, Antiquary, Ariobarzan, Aweyman, Bacchiad, Blacklake,
Bongwarrior, Bumm13, CIreland, Canton6, Catalographer, Charles Matthews, Chronicler, Conversion script, Curps, DavidFHoughton, Demiurgos, Dysprosia, Eckhart Wörner, Erud,
Fordmadoxfraud, Funkendub, Hmains, Hyft, Jamie B, Janmad, Jason Quinn, KRBN, Katharineamy, Kostisl, Lucidish, LycianFelix, Makemi, Mizpah14, Nepaheshgar, Nilmerg, Noosphere,
Outriggr, Paul August, Pollinosisss, Quuxplusone, Radgeek, Rich Farmbrough, Richard0612, Singinglemon, Stevenmitchell, Tzartzam, Vahagn Petrosyan, Wclark, Wetman, Wik,
Wikivandaltest2007, Wmahan, Xophist, 21 anonymous edits
198
Image:Presocratic graph.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Presocratic_graph.png License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5 Contributors: Acepectif,
Bogdangiusca, Sethmahoney, Tresoldi, 1 anonymous edits
File:Four elements representation.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Four_elements_representation.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: User:ScribeOfTheNile,
User:Tomtheman5
File:Alchemy fire symbol.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Alchemy_fire_symbol.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: Bryan Derksen
File:Alchemy earth symbol.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Alchemy_earth_symbol.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: Bryan Derksen
File:Alchemy air symbol.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Alchemy_air_symbol.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: Bryan Derksen
File:Alchemy water symbol.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Alchemy_water_symbol.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: Bryan Derksen
Image:neon orbitals.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Neon_orbitals.JPG License: Public Domain Contributors: Benjah-bmm27, Mortadelo2005, 1 anonymous edits
File:Map Ciudades Antiguas Asia Menor.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Map_Ciudades_Antiguas_Asia_Menor.svg License: Public Domain Contributors:
User:Juan José Moral
File:PD-icon.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:PD-icon.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Duesentrieb, User:Rfl
Image:Geb.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Geb.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Rktect
Image:wikisource-logo.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Wikisource-logo.svg License: logo Contributors: Nicholas Moreau
Image:Dionysiou Monastery Codex 90.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Dionysiou_Monastery_Codex_90.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Original
uploader was Wareh at en.wikipedia
Image:Laertii Diogenis De Vitis Dogmatis et Apophthegmatis Eorum Qui in Philosophia Claruerunt.jpg Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Laertii_Diogenis_De_Vitis_Dogmatis_et_Apophthegmatis_Eorum_Qui_in_Philosophia_Claruerunt.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors:
Akinom, Singinglemon, Tomisti, Wst
File:Milet Asia Minor.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Milet_Asia_Minor.png License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Immanuel Giel
File:Thales.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Thales.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Bibi Saint-Pol, Tomisti
File:Thales-04.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Thales-04.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Odysses
Image:Capernaum roman olive press by David Shankbone.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Capernaum_roman_olive_press_by_David_Shankbone.jpg License:
GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: User:DavidShankbone
Image:Solar eclips 1999 4 NR.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Solar_eclips_1999_4_NR.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5 Contributors:
user:Lviatour
Image:MiletusIonicStoa.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:MiletusIonicStoa.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Monsieurdl
Image:Thales theorem 1.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Thales_theorem_1.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Dake, Darapti, HB,
Helder.wiki, Siebrand, 2 anonymous edits
Image:Louisstgaudens1.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Louisstgaudens1.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Contributors: Original uploader was
Danvera at en.wikipedia
File:Anaximander.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Anaximander.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Bibi Saint-Pol, Mattes, SirSlither, Tomisti, Tony
Rotondas, Warburg, 1 anonymous edits
Image:Anaximander cosmology-en.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Anaximander_cosmology-en.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Bibi Saint-Pol
Image:Persectives of Anaximander's universe.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Persectives_of_Anaximander's_universe.png License: GNU Free Documentation
License Contributors: Dirk L. Couprie
Image:Anaximander world map-en.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Anaximander_world_map-en.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Bibi Saint-Pol
Image:Wikisource-logo.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Wikisource-logo.svg License: logo Contributors: Nicholas Moreau
Image:Anaximenes.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Anaximenes.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Bibi Saint-Pol, Mdd, Tomisti, 2 anonymous edits
Image:Kapitolinischer Pythagoras adjusted.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kapitolinischer_Pythagoras_adjusted.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License
Contributors: Original uploader was Galilea at de.wikipedia
Image:Bronnikov gimnpifagoreizev.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bronnikov_gimnpifagoreizev.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Fyodor Bronnikov,
(1827—1902)
Image:Monad.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Monad.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: User:jossifresco
File:Kapitolinischer Pythagoras adjusted.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kapitolinischer_Pythagoras_adjusted.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License
Contributors: Original uploader was Galilea at de.wikipedia
File:Pythagoras Bust Vatican Museum.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Pythagoras_Bust_Vatican_Museum.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Original
uploader was Andargor at en.wikipedia
File:Crotone panorama 2.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Crotone_panorama_2.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors:
LeonidasGR_
File:Pythagoras-Münz.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Pythagoras-Münz.JPG License: Public Domain Contributors: Bibi Saint-Pol, Carlomorino, Schaengel89, 1
anonymous edits
File:Pythagorean.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Pythagorean.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: DieBuche, Emijrp, Helix84, Kdkeller,
Rohieb, Steff, 2 anonymous edits
File:Pythagoras-2a.gif Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Pythagoras-2a.gif License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: User:Alvesgaspar
File:Gaffurio Pythagoras.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Gaffurio_Pythagoras.png License: Public Domain Contributors: Franchino Gaffurio (publisher)
File:Sanzio 01 Pythagoras.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Sanzio_01_Pythagoras.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Bibi Saint-Pol, G.dallorto, Jacobolus,
Kalki, Mattes, Warburg, 1 anonymous edits
File:Nuremberg chronicles f 61v 2.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Nuremberg_chronicles_f_61v_2.png License: Public Domain Contributors: Michel Wolgemut,
Wilhelm Pleydenwurff (Text: Hartmann Schedel)
Image:Pythagoras and Philolaus.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Pythagoras_and_Philolaus.png License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Singinglemon
File:Archytas.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Archytas.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Bibi Saint-Pol, Inductiveload, Singinglemon, Tomisti, 1
anonymous edits
Image:architabr.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Architabr.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: File:Heraclitus, Johannes Moreelse.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Heraclitus,_Johannes_Moreelse.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Bibi Saint-Pol,
Duesentrieb, Mattes, Persio, Shakko, Sparkit, Taragui, Vincent Steenberg, Wst
File:Efez agora odeon prytaneion RB.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Efez_agora_odeon_prytaneion_RB.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License
Contributors: User:Radomil
File:Hendrik ter Brugghen - Heraclitus.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hendrik_ter_Brugghen_-_Heraclitus.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Archibald
Tuttle, Bibi Saint-Pol, Dedden, Ilse@, Mattes, Rlbberlin, Shakko, Vincent Steenberg
File:Sanzio 01 Heraclitus.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Sanzio_01_Heraclitus.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Bibi Saint-Pol, Docu, Jacobolus, Mattes,
Pe-Jo, Warburg, 2 anonymous edits
File:Busto Jenófanes.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Busto_Jenófanes.jpg License: Free Art License Contributors: Dorieo, Juan José Moral, Singinglemon
File:Parmenides.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Parmenides.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: BjörnF, G.dallorto, Giaros
199
Image:Sanzio 01 Parmenides.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Sanzio_01_Parmenides.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Bibi Saint-Pol, Mattes,
Singinglemon, Tomisti, Warburg, 1 anonymous edits
File:Zeno of Elea Tibaldi or Carducci Escorial.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Zeno_of_Elea_Tibaldi_or_Carducci_Escorial.jpg License: Public Domain
Contributors: Bartolomeo Carducci or Pellegrino Tibaldi
File:Magnify-clip.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Magnify-clip.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: User:Erasoft24
File:Empedocles in Thomas Stanley History of Philosophy.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Empedocles_in_Thomas_Stanley_History_of_Philosophy.jpg License:
Public Domain Contributors: unknown
File:Agrigento Tempio di Hera.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Agrigento_Tempio_di_Hera.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Bibi Saint-Pol, G.dallorto, Luca.p,
Mac9
File:Empedocles-2-sized.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Empedocles-2-sized.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Hgrosser, Immanuel, Singinglemon, Wst
File:Aetna1.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Aetna1.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Dantadd, DenghiùComm, Nowic
File:Anaxagoras Lebiedzki Rahl.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Anaxagoras_Lebiedzki_Rahl.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Eduard Lebiedzki, after a
design by Carl Rahl
Image:Anaxagoras Nuremberg Chronicle.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Anaxagoras_Nuremberg_Chronicle.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors:
User:Singinglemon
Image:tetrahedron.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tetrahedron.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Dbenbenn, Kjell André, Matthias M.,
Quasipalm, SharkD, Warden
Image:octahedron.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Octahedron.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: User:Stannered
Image:icosahedron.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Icosahedron.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Bukk, Dbenbenn, Juiced lemon, Kjell
André, Matthias M., Nevit, Quasipalm, SharkD
Image:hexahedron.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hexahedron.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Dbenbenn, Kjell André, Matthias M.,
Quasipalm, SharkD, Str4nd, WikipediaMaster, 1 anonymous edits
File:Leucippe (portrait).jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Leucippe_(portrait).jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Jean-Jacques MILAN, Liné1, Shakko,
Singinglemon
File:Democritus2.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Democritus2.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Tomisti, Túrelio, 2 anonymous edits
Image:Democrite.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Democrite.JPG License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: User:Jean-Louis Lascoux
Image:Cone 3d.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Cone_3d.png License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: User:DemonDeLuxe
Image:Demokritmuenze.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Demokritmuenze.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Alfons Åberg, Er
Komandante, Grafite, Herbythyme, Maksim, Moros, Oudeís, Singinglemon, 3 anonymous edits
File:wikisource-logo.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Wikisource-logo.svg License: logo Contributors: Nicholas Moreau
File:CarracciHercules.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:CarracciHercules.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: AndreasPraefcke, Chick Bowen, G.dallorto,
Pierpao, Shakko, Warburg, Wst, 1 anonymous edits
Image:Nuremberg chronicles f 60v 1.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Nuremberg_chronicles_f_60v_1.png License: Public Domain Contributors: Michel
Wolgemut, Wilhelm Pleydenwurff; Text: Hartmann Schedel
File: Solon2.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Solon2.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Interstate295revisited
File:NAMA_Head_of_a_Kouros.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:NAMA_Head_of_a_Kouros.JPG License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Dorieo
Image:Attica map.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Attica_map.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Briangotts, Roke, Zykasaa
File:Meister des al-Mubashshir-Manuskripts 003.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Meister_des_al-Mubashshir-Manuskripts_003.jpg License: Public Domain
Contributors: Calame, EDUCA33E, RobertLechner, Shakko, 1 anonymous edits
Image:Areopagus from the Acropolis.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Areopagus_from_the_Acropolis.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0
Contributors: ajbear AKA KiltBear http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajbear/
Image:BMC 06.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:BMC_06.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Alfons Åberg, Carlomorino, Jastrow, Paradoctor, Schimmelreiter,
Sumerophile, Thuresson, Xhienne, 1 anonymous edits
Image:Amphora olive-gathering BM B226.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Amphora_olive-gathering_BM_B226.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors:
User:Steff
Image:Nuremberg chronicles f 59r 1.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Nuremberg_chronicles_f_59r_1.png License: Public Domain Contributors: Michel
Wolgemut, Wilhelm Pleydenwurff
Image:Kroisos stake Louvre G197.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kroisos_stake_Louvre_G197.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Bibi Saint-Pol
Image:Chilon of Sparta.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Chilon_of_Sparta.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Bibi Saint-Pol, Frank C. Müller, Immanuel
Giel, Jastrow, Singinglemon, Tomisti
Image:Bias Pio-Clementino Inv279.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bias_Pio-Clementino_Inv279.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Jastrow
File:Cleovoulos.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Cleovoulos.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Published by Guillaume Rouille(1518?-1589)
Image:Pittacos Louvre Ma 3572.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Pittacos_Louvre_Ma_3572.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Jastrow
Image:Periander Pio-Clementino Inv276.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Periander_Pio-Clementino_Inv276.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors:
User:Jastrow
File:Pherecydes.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Pherecydes.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Bibi Saint-Pol, Singinglemon, Tomisti
Image:Nuremberg chronicles f 61v 1.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Nuremberg_chronicles_f_61v_1.png License: Public Domain Contributors: Michel
Wolgemut, Wilhelm Pleydenwurff (Text: Hartmann Schedel)
Image:Anacharsis.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Anacharsis.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Bibi Saint-Pol, Singinglemon, Tomisti
Image:Nuremberg chronicles f 60r 1.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Nuremberg_chronicles_f_60r_1.png License: Public Domain Contributors: Michel
Wolgemut, Wilhelm Pleydenwurff; Text: Hartmann Schedel
200
License
License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
http:/ / creativecommons. org/ licenses/ by-sa/ 3. 0/
201

The PreSocratics

Transcription

Similar documents

View Promo - St. Michael`s Health Group

History - Lone Star College

please click here for the entire story

View/Open - Kenyatta University

Greek Allusions in Everyday Life

NEWSLETTER - Prospect Primary School

Headfirst into the deep blue

or 715-378-4232 - Northwoods Shopper

By Vassiliki Tsekoura— Together Within: A