He and his mentor, Leucippus, are widely regarded as the first atomists in the Grecian tradition. To quote his actual words: Of knowledge there are two forms, one legitimate, one bastard. Known as the 'laughing philosopher’ because of the importance he placed on 'cheerfulness’, Democritus was the first philosopher to posit that what we refer to as the 'Milky Way’ was the light of stars reaching our perception and that the universe may in fact be a multi-verse with other planets sustaining life (a theory which Physicists today are increasingly recognizing as mathematically probable). [30], Quote by Democritus: "If you seek tranquility, do less." In this lecture we look at Democritus, the father of the philosophical... Leucippus of Abdera, the philosopher, conceives of the atomic universe. Relatively little is known about the life and death of Democritus. As it turned out, though, Democritus was right. The word democracy is actually derived from the Greek dēmokratiā, which in turn derives from the Greek dēmos (meaning “people”) and kratos (meaning “rule”). [11] 09 Oct 2020. The theory of Democritus held that everything is composed of "atoms," which are physically, but not geometrically, indivisible; that between atoms, there lies empty space; that atoms are indestructible, and have always been and always will be in motion; that there is an infinite number of atoms and of kinds of atoms, which differ in shape and size. 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's old age (c. 440–428). He considers education to be the noblest of pursuits, but cautioned that learning without sense leads to error.[3]. Democritus, (born c. 460 bce—died c. 370), ancient Greek philosopher, a central figure in the development of philosophical atomism and of the atomic theory of the universe. He also praises Anaxagoras. Anger, while difficult to control, must be mastered in order for one to be rational. As Democritus seems to have viewed the soul as the causing motion and 'life’ and that 'thought’ was the physical movement of indestructible, 'un-cutable’ atoms, it is possible such a soul would survive bodily death. Democritus was an ancient Greek philosopher. "[47], He says that "Equality is everywhere noble," but he is not encompassing enough to include women or slaves in this sentiment. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. He was born in the 80th Olympiad (460–457 BC) according to Apollodorus of Athens, and although Thrasyllus placed his birth in 470 BC, the later date is probably more likely. Democritus was born at Abdera, about 460 BCE, although according to some 490. He held that every world has a beginning and an end and that a world could be destroyed by collision with another world. [3], Democritus was born in Abdera, Thrace,[4] around 460 BC, although there are disagreements about the exact year. [41], Furthermore, they find Xenophanes, Zeno of Elea, and Democritus to be sceptics: … Democritus because he rejects qualities, saying,"Opinion says hot or cold, but the reality is atoms and empty space," and again, "Of a truth we know nothing, for truth is in a well. This is one example of why Democritus is considered to be an early scientific thinker. 370 BCE). A lively and informative new podcast for kids that the whole family will enjoy! Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. [6] He was nevertheless well known to his fellow northern-born philosopher Aristotle, and was the teacher of Protagoras. [52], According to Bertrand Russell, the point of view of Leucippus and Democritus "was remarkably like that of modern science, and avoided most of the faults to which Greek speculation was prone. "Ostanes", one of the magi accompanying Xerxes, was also said to have taught him. [3] He surmised that there are many worlds, some growing, some decaying; some with no sun or moon, some with several.

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