Atomism: Democritus and Epicurus
Philosophy 116
October 17, 1996
In the Atomists, we see pluralism taken as far as it could possibly go.
We see Democritus and Epicurus divide all the world, as well as the universe,
into two categories; atoms and empty space. Everything else is merely thought
to exist. The atoms are eternal, infinite in size and number and they are
moving through the empty space. There is no motion without empty space. Both
Democritus and Epicurus agreed that motion was impossible in a plenum, but it is
here that their theories diverge. In the cause of the motion, we begin to see a
variety of opinions.
Both Democritus and Epicurus agreed that the "qualitative world of sense
perception arises from the motion of qualitatively neutral atoms. They believe
that the immense qualitative variety results from the ?jostling' of atoms...as
they collide and bounce apart, and so, constantly form new groupings" (Jones 84).
They believe it to be a mechanical process occurring completely by chance.
Furthermore, although new groupings are constantly being formed, only the few
that can survive are considered the "right" combinations. These are the
combinations we recognize through our senses as being "real", although they are
not. However, the way in which this complex motion begins is a source of
controversy and disagreement amongst the Atomists.
Democritus assumes that the atoms' motion is perpetual. The atoms are
never at rest. He presumes that their nature ...