Democritus: a brief biography and philosophical activity

In ancient Greece, many philosophical schools arose, the study of which is still being paid attention to by scientists. Already in those distant times (and probably even earlier), the most knowledgeable people thought about such categories as the organization of the world, the meaning of human existence, relations with nature, and other issues that are still exciting now. Needless to say, the final answers to most of the questions raised thousands of years ago have never been found, and it is unlikely that this will ever happen, but the attempt itself is commendable. One of the outstanding philosophers of Ancient Greece is Democritus. A brief biography of this scholarly husband and his main ideas are offered to readers of this article.

What is known about Democritus?

Years of life are presumably in the chronological order from 460 (birth) to 370 (death). Before the birth of Christ, the homeland is the Thracian city of Abdera in the eastern part of modern Greece. In many cases concerning the biography of famous philosophers, speakers and representatives of schools, the information is based on facts, which today is not possible to verify. Democritus, whose brief biography is made up on the basis of scattered information from various sources, is no exception. It is known, in particular, about his many wanderings, during which he visited many distant lands, among which are Iran, Babylonia, Egypt, Ethiopia and India. There is no doubt that he has a high intellect, a critical view of modern science, an enthusiasm for several disciplines, and a common desire not only for knowledge, but also for comprehending the information received. In addition, one can logically come to the conclusion that this scientist and thinker came from a noble and wealthy family, otherwise he would not have had the opportunity and time for such a long journey and reflection. So who was Democritus? Interesting facts from his life story have come down to us in the retelling, stingy and probably distorted, but they also talk a lot about this man.

Proceedings and treatises

The original manuscripts were not preserved, therefore one can judge their scientific content only by retelling and referencing, in which later authors quoted this philosopher. Ideas of Democritus in our time are of great interest due to the fact that the latest achievements of science paradoxically repeat what was argued in ancient Greece and that more recently caused only an ironic grin. Other his thoughts are very reminiscent of modern ideas about the structure of the world. In total, according to Diogenes Laertius, there were about 70 treatises (some researchers estimate the number in fifty). Perhaps some hypotheses belong to Leucippus, whose follower is Democritus. A brief biography of his teacher is nevertheless generally unknown to science. The works are devoted to a very wide spectrum of disciplines, including mathematics, ethics, astronomy, physics, philology, medicine, music theory, technology and several other sciences considered the most important in Ancient Hellas. Three hundred fragments are preserved in the retelling.

Theory of Atoms

The atomic theory of Democritus strikingly resembles modern ideas about the structure of matter, formed in the twentieth century. However, in those distant times these elementary particles were considered to be the smallest in the Universe and therefore indivisible (hence the name), but the astonishing ability of the ancient scientist, who lived almost twenty five centuries ago, to penetrate the mind into the structure of the molecule with a complete lack of material base, This hypothesis is empirical. Atoms are in a constant and chaotic motion within the void, forming vortex clouds and making up material objects. They are different (in shape and size), and this explains the differences in the properties of substances - this is what Democritus believed. Interesting facts, in his opinion, could be observed when exposed to the body of radiation emitted by atoms.

Atheist?

Ancient Greece was dominated by the polytheistic Theosophical theory, according to which a particular mythological character was responsible for each area of human activity. The philosophy of Democritus differed from the official state ideology by its almost complete materialism. Moreover, the scientist mercilessly debunked the established ideas about the deities, pointing to their similarity with living people and using this argument as proof of the artificiality of their image. All the Olympic celestials, in his opinion, were simply invented by people, powerless to explain the mysterious nature of the surrounding world.

Democritus and the soul

However, there is also a certain philosophical contradiction, which makes it possible to ask the question: "Was Democritus such an atheist?" A brief biography of him does not contain information about serious conflicts with the pagan clergy of that time, and besides he recognized the existence of such a clearly intangible category as the soul. True, her philosopher imagined himself as a kind of a cluster of atoms wandering around the body and leaving it at the time of death or before it, when the forces gradually leave an aging or sick person. These smallest particles, in his opinion, wander in the Universe forever, they are immortal and do not disappear anywhere. Is not the law of conservation of matter? And what is not the proof of the immortality of the soul?

Ataraxia

This phenomenon, known to modern medicine as a state of the psyche, manifested in complete fearlessness, caused by a strong emotional shock, Democritus paid much attention. According to his theory, such serenity of spirit is a sign of profound wisdom. It is necessary to strive for it, and it is achieved only by a great work on self-improvement and comprehension of many sacraments of the world. Atrakaxic philosophy of Democritus was developed in the achievements of many schools, mainly skeptical, Stoic and Epicurean. We have reached his aphorisms, which deny the randomness of events, declares the usefulness of the ability to remain silent (not just speak), affirms the priority of thinking over knowledge and encourages contentment with what a person has. With all this it is difficult not to agree.

What does a person think?

More recently, modern medical science has advanced another revolutionary theory, according to which the human mind is concentrated not so much in the brain as in the heart. This looks, if not plagiarism, then at least a retelling of the meaning of the discovery of Democritus, made by him two and a half millennia ago. Ancient Greek scientist believed that the center of thinking of each of the people is the chest and what is contained in it.

Who knows what modern scientists will come to? Perhaps they will largely overestimate the postulates of philosophical schools of the past centuries. After all, everything develops in a spiral ...