The Atom from the Philosophers Point of View

1. The Atom from the Philosophers Point of View Tyler Jordan Finn Sarah

2. Democritus • Born around 460 B.C.E in Abdera, Thrace • Traveled to Asia using the inheritance his father gave him. • Visited Egypt, Diodorus and Siculus over a period of 5 years. • Enjoyed visiting Egypt because of the vast number of scholars • Became acquainted with Chaldean magi • Returned to Greece and occupied himself with natural philosophy • Highly esteemed by fellow citizens. He apparently foretold events that would be proved true. • According to some he died at the age of 90 in 370 B.C.E. while other writers place his death at 104 B.C.E or 109 B.C.E.

3. Aristotle • Born in 384 B.C.E in the city of Stagirus • Father, Nicomachus, died when Aristotle was young • Aristotle lived under the care of a guardian • At 18, joined Plato’s Academy in Athens and stayed until the age of 37 • Established library in Lyceum • Created many writings during his lifetime: • Topics included: • Physics • Metaphysics • Poetry • Theater • Music • Logic • Biology • Politics • Government • Died 322 B.C.E in Euboea

4. Democritus’s Philosophy • Democritus developed the idea that the end point of all division was an atom. This basic matter particle was thought to be indestructible.

5. Aristotle’s Philosophy • Aristotle vehemently opposed the Atomic theory developed by Democritus. He believed that instead of being matter being made of tiny particles (atoms) that they were all fundamentally air, fire, water, and earth.

6. Compare and Contrast Democritus’s and Aristotle’s view points • Democritus and Aristotle greatly differ in their views-their theories are very different • Democritus believed that the atom did exist and it was the smallest unit of matter • Aristotle believed that there could be no base unit of matter. He argued against the existence of the atom. • Aristotle’s theory has been proven incorrect • Democritus’s theory has been proven correct.

7. Time Line of history • Both Democritus’s and Aristotle’s theories were developed around the same time around 400 and 300 B.C. during the era of ancient Greek philosophy

8. How did the public view the philosophies of Democritus? • Democritus believed that everything was the result of natural laws his actual theory is composed of atoms, which are physically, but not geometrically indivisible that between atoms there lays empty space that atoms are indestructible and they will be always in motion. Know people think greatly of Democritus philosophy because he is known to influence modern science more then any other pre-Socratic philosopher. Anyone that is known for that will be well admired.

9. How did the public view the philosophies of Aristotle? • Aristotle’s philosophy continues to be the object of active academic study today. That right there tells that he was viewed as a very smart philosopher and people believed in what he believed in. He is credited with the earliest study of formal logic. His philosophy impacted political thought in various ways. Peoples views of his philosophy come from the easy understanding it provides. However the Christian church discouraged him. He is considered one of the great foundation figures of both philosophy and natural science.