Democritus
Democritus | |
|---|---|
A philosopher, possibly Democritus. Casting of bust of the Villa of the Papyri.[1] | |
| Born | c. 460 BC Abdera, Thrace |
| Died | c. 370 BC (aged approximately 90) |
| Philosophical work | |
| Era | Pre-Socratic philosophy |
| Region | Western philosophy |
| School | Atomism |
| Main interests |
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| Notable ideas | |
Democritus (/dɪˈmɒkrɪtəs/, dim-OCK-rit-əs; Greek: Δημόκριτος, Dēmókritos, meaning "chosen of the people"; c. 460 – c. 370 BC) was an Ancient Greek pre-Socratic philosopher from Abdera, primarily remembered today for his formulation of an atomic theory of the universe.[2] Democritus wrote extensively on a wide variety of topics.[3]
None of Democritus' original work has survived, except through second-hand references. Many of these references come from Aristotle, who viewed him as an important rival in the field of natural philosophy.[4] He was known in antiquity as the ‘laughing philosopher’ because of his emphasis on the value of cheerfulness.[5]
- ^ De Petra, Giulio; Sogliano, Antonio; Patroni, Giovanni; Mariani, L.; Bassi, Domenico; Marucchi, Orazio; Conti, A. (eds.). Illustrated guide to the National Museum in Naples : sanctioned by the Ministry of education. Naples : Richter & Co. p. 68. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ Barnes 1987.
- ^ Kenny, Anthony. Ancient Philosophy. Oxford Publications. p. 27. ISBN 9780198752721.
- ^ Berryman 2016.
- ^ Berryman, Sylvia (2023). "Democritus". In Zalta, Edward N. (ed.). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
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