PhilosophersDémocrite d'Abdère
Démocrite d'Abdère
Nothing exists but atoms and the void.
AtomismVe-IVe s. av. J.-C. GreeceFounder of atomism (with Leucippus)MaterialistThinker of cheerfulness (euthymia)Known through quotations and witnesses
Inspirations
Leucippehis teacher or companion, often named with him by Aristotle; almost nothing is known of him
Les pythagoriciensaccording to Diogenes Laertius, he admired them and may have been their pupil
Anaxagorehe is said to have criticised him (on the order of the world and on mind); sources disagree on whether he was a pupil
criticParménide et Zénonhe cites their doctrine of the One; his void allows non-being to exist, against Parmenides
Heirs
Épicuretakes up atoms and void, but replaces necessity with a slight swerve and makes pleasure the aim
Lucrèceputs atomism in verse (On the Nature of Things)
Aristote judges that atoms explain neither motion nor thought
criticVoltaire asks: "how does an atom think?"
criticSénèque makes him the model of serenity before human folly