Democritus
c. 460-c. 370 B.C.
Greek philosopher, best known for his atomic theory, who also contributed to the study of geometry. It was Democritus who first stated that the volume of a cone is one-th...
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Democritus
c. 460-c. 370 B.C.
Greek Philosopher
Democritus embraced the atomism of Leucippus and worked out its detailed application. His atomic theory was the basis for Epicurean philosophy and all l...
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The Greek natural philosopher Democritus (460-370 BC) promulgated the atomic theory, which asserted that the universe is composed of two elements: the atoms and the void in which they exist and move.D...
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Atomic theory and the concept of atoms was well known among the ancient Greeks. The most highly developed theory was that of Democritus of Abdera. Democritus was probably born about 460 b.c. and died ...
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Democritus's background is uncertain. Many stories of his life are tradition or later inventions. Among the few undisputed facts are his birthplace (Abdera, Thrace) and his teacher (Leucippus). Only f...
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Democritus of Abdera is best known for his atomic theory of the universe, but also made significant contributions to the study of geometry. Not much is known of his life, but rather extensive knowledg...
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Democritus's background is uncertain. Many stories of his life are tradition or later inventions. Among the few undisputed facts are his birthplace (Abdera, Thrace) and his teacher (Leucippus). Only f...
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In the following excerpt, Havelock examines Democritus's political statements and concludes that he was satisfied to leave some problems unsolved.
The political theory of Democritus has been pr...
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In the following essay, Chalmers attempts to eliminate contradictions concerning the weight of atoms in Democritus's theory by making fine distinctions in particular definitions.
I. Introductio...
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In the following essay, Oldershaw explains the methodology that enabled Democritus to achieve extraordinary results considering the unavailability of all but the most rudimentary form of mathematics.
...
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In the following essay, Hall answers moral arguments against modern science that parallel objections made against atomism in the time of Democritus.
The ancient Greek atomism of Democritis and Leucipp...
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In the following excerpt, Taylor examines Democritus's ideas on the gods and religion.
Theology
Democritus' theology is naturalistic, in its accounts both of the nature of the gods and o...
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In the following excerpt, Brumbaugh summarizes Democritus's atomist philosophy, considers some criticisms of it, and relates it to the development of Greek mechanical devices.
There is no chanc...
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In the following excerpt, Hussey summarizes the atomistic theory and explains in what ways it was revolutionary.
The Atomists: Leucippus and Democritus
Of the life of Leucippus we know next to nothing...
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In the following excerpt, Barnes discusses Democritus's skepticism regarding humankind's ability to know anything with certainty.
Democritean Scepticism
Metrodorus of Chios, a pupil of D...
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In the following essay, Kahn explores Democritus's texts as a source for moral psychology and ethics in the time of Socrates.
The fragments of Democritus constitute the most important body of m...
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In the following excerpt, Nill examines Democritus's moral theory, particularly concerning pleasure and the ability of an individual to attain an ideal state.
Democritus (c. 460-396 b.c.) was a...
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In the following essay, Godfrey explains a modern argument concerning the mathematical indivisibility of atoms and compares it to Greek thought on the subject.
The Abderite philosophers Leucippus and ...
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In the following essay, Barbour explores the influence of Democritus on Francis Bacon's essay on Prometheus.
Despite Robert Kargon's argument that Bacon abandoned atomism, the seventeent...
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In the following excerpt, McKirahan explicates passages concerning atomic theory by Democritus and ancient Greek commentators.
The third and most ambitious response to the Eleatic challenge was the at...
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Democritus was born in Abdera, Greece around the year 460 BCE. He was of
noble blood, so his father had money to spend on the finer
things of life. Democritus's father contributed large amounts of...
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