Democritus Research Paper
Democritus was an Ancient Greek pre-Socratic philosopher of Ancient Greece. He along with Leucippus were atomic theorists who proposed during the fifth century B.C that 1. Matter is composed of atoms separated by empty space by which atoms move. 2.Atoms are solid, homogeneous, indivisible, and unchanging. Democritus knew that if he took a rock and chisel it in half, that both halves would characteristically have the same properties as the whole. He rationalized that if he was to continue to cut the rock into smaller pieces it would get to a point where the pieces would be so tiny that they would become indivisible. He formulated these small pieces of particles (matter) as "atomos" which is deprived from the Greek word indivisible. He believed
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He believed that this was not the order of the universe. He believed that this concept put too much of a limitation on the "gods" and that they possessed unlimited power. He claimed that the earth was not made of atoms and that there was no smallest part of matter. Aristotle affirmed that all of the material on Earth were composed of four elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air and that Democritus's views were worthless. He believed that these elements moved either up or down, fire being the lightest, and earth being the heaviest. In Addition, Aristotle added a fifth element that all heavenly bodies were contrived from. He stated that this particular element could turn economical metals into pure gold and cure disease and old age. This instituted alchemy, which was the pursuit of the fifth the element.Majority of people supported Aristotle's idea causing Democritus's idea to be overlooked for about 2,000 years Later, Aristotle's view was proven to be incorrect and his teaches are no longer present in the view of atoms today.
In conclusion, Democritus and Aristotle are both phenomenal philosophers and play a significant role. Democritus's atomic theory is something that is still used today and many consider him to be the " father of modern science". Aristotle's did not support Democritus atomic theory and made his own claim which was later proven to not be factual. However, in spite of Aristotle's great error it does not belittle
He believed that this was not the order of the universe. He believed that this concept put too much of a limitation on the "gods" and that they possessed unlimited power. He claimed that the earth was not made of atoms and that there was no smallest part of matter. Aristotle affirmed that all of the material on Earth were composed of four elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air and that Democritus's views were worthless. He believed that these elements moved either up or down, fire being the lightest, and earth being the heaviest. In Addition, Aristotle added a fifth element that all heavenly bodies were contrived from. He stated that this particular element could turn economical metals into pure gold and cure disease and old age. This instituted alchemy, which was the pursuit of the fifth the element.Majority of people supported Aristotle's idea causing Democritus's idea to be overlooked for about 2,000 years Later, Aristotle's view was proven to be incorrect and his teaches are no longer present in the view of atoms today.
In conclusion, Democritus and Aristotle are both phenomenal philosophers and play a significant role. Democritus's atomic theory is something that is still used today and many consider him to be the " father of modern science". Aristotle's did not support Democritus atomic theory and made his own claim which was later proven to not be factual. However, in spite of Aristotle's great error it does not belittle