The Philosophy Of Democritus And The Atomists

Summary

The video explores the life and philosophy of Democritus, the 'laughing philosopher,' known for his atomic theory of matter. Born in Thrace around 460 B.C.E., Democritus believed the universe was composed of atoms and void, with atoms being eternal and in constant motion. He rejected the notion of chance and purpose in the universe, advocating a life of moderate pleasure and cheerfulness, free from fear and superstition. His ideas influenced later philosophers and laid the groundwork for mechanistic explanations of the world.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Democritus, known as the 'laughing philosopher,' was praised for his wealth of knowledge and logical thinking.
• 📚 Democritus is mostly known through the writings of others, especially Aristotle, as his original works did not survive.
• 👥 Democritus and his teacher Leucippus are often mentioned together, with some even questioning Leucippus's existence.
• 🌍 Democritus developed the atomic theory of matter, proposing that everything is composed of atoms and the void.
• 🔬 Atoms were described as eternal, impenetrable, and in constant motion, forming the basis of all phenomena.
• 🌌 The void, according to Democritus, is infinite space where atoms move without any specific direction or purpose.
• 🎨 All sensations, such as taste and color, are the result of interactions between atoms in the external world and within our sensory organs.
• ❓ Aristotle questioned how the initial motion of atoms began, but Democritus rejected the need for a purpose or final cause.
• 💭 Democritus believed in pursuing pleasure and cheerfulness in life, advocating for moderation and rejecting violence and superstition.
• 🔥 The influence of the Atomists extended to later philosophers like Epicurus, Montaigne, and Spinoza, despite their theories lacking empirical evidence.

Q & A

Who is Democritus known as among the Pre-Socratic philosophers?

Democritus is known as the 'laughing philosopher' among the Pre-Socratic philosophers.

What is the main challenge in studying Democritus' philosophy?

The main challenge in studying Democritus' philosophy is that we only know him through the writings of others, most notably Aristotle, and it is difficult to separate his ideas from those of his teacher Leucippus.

When and where was Democritus born?

Democritus was born around 460 B.C.E. in the northern Greek territory of Thrace.

How did the scholars of Athens initially respond to Democritus' philosophy?

Initially, the enlightened scholars of Athens ignored Democritus' philosophy, but around 420 B.C.E., his philosophic prestige reached its maturity and he became well-known throughout the ancient world.

What is the atomic theory of matter attributed to Democritus and Leucippus?

The atomic theory of matter posits that the universe is composed of two things: atoms and the void. Atoms are eternal, impenetrable, and incompressible, and they move in continuous motion, forming various phenomena in the universe.

What is the role of the void in Democritus' atomic theory?

In Democritus' atomic theory, the void is the infinite space through which atoms move perpetually. It is considered real and necessary for the existence and movement of atoms.

How did Democritus view the concept of sensation?

Democritus viewed sensation as the interaction of external atoms with the atoms present within our sensory organs, and he famously stated that 'By convention sweet, by convention bitter; by convention hot, by convention cold; by convention color; but in reality: atoms and the void.'

What was Aristotle's issue with the atomic theory?

Aristotle's issue with the atomic theory was the question of how to account for the initial motions of the atoms, as all phenomena in the theory occur as a direct result of their antecedents.

What was Democritus' view on the existence of gods?

Democritus rejected the popular religion and thought that gods were a way for the masses to explain and find comfort in the inexplicable, rather than actual entities.

What was the aim of life according to Democritus?

According to Democritus, the aim of life should be to pursue pleasure and cheerfulness with moderation, seeking freedom from fear and superstition to achieve tranquility.

How did Democritus' philosophy influence later thinkers?

Democritus' philosophy had a profound influence on later thinkers, including Aristotle, Epicurus, Montaigne, and Spinoza, who all drew inspiration from his mechanistic questions and answers.

Outlines

00:00

😄 The Laughing Philosopher: Democritus and Atomic Theory

This paragraph introduces Democritus, known as the 'laughing philosopher,' and his significant contributions to philosophy, particularly the atomic theory of matter. Democritus is acknowledged for his wealth of knowledge and logical thinking, with his ideas primarily known through the writings of Aristotle and others. His philosophy, often intertwined with that of his teacher Leucippus, proposed that the universe consists of atoms and void. Atoms are eternal, impenetrable, and incompressible, coming in various shapes and moving continuously, forming vortices that result in the phenomena of the universe. Democritus also believed in the deterministic nature of the world, denying the existence of chance, and held the view that all sensations are interactions between external atoms and those within our sensory organs. His philosophy sought to explain the world without the notion of purpose or final cause, advocating for a life pursuit of pleasure and cheerfulness with moderation, influenced by his rejection of violence and abject passion.

05:04

🤔 The Atomists' Legacy and Democritus' Views on Life

The second paragraph delves into the atomists' mechanistic approach to understanding the world and their legacy that influenced thinkers from Aristotle to Spinoza. Democritus' philosophy, which provided a way to explain the universe without attributing it to divine intervention, was seen as revolutionary for its time. It is highlighted that the atomists' work, while not empirical, was profound in its impact. Democritus believed that the pursuit of life should be centered on pleasure and cheerfulness, advocating for moderation and the avoidance of overwhelming experiences like sex, which he thought should be replaced by the value of friendship. He rejected violence and extreme passion, promoting a life free from fear and superstition to achieve tranquility. The paragraph concludes with an invitation to explore more about philosophy through the channel's offerings.

Keywords

💡Pre-Socratic philosophers

Pre-Socratic philosophers refer to a group of early Greek thinkers who lived before the time of Socrates and whose ideas laid the groundwork for Western philosophy. They are significant to the video's theme as they provide the historical context for Democritus' philosophy. The script mentions that Democritus was considered superior among these early philosophers by Eduard Zeller, indicating his importance in the development of philosophical thought.

💡Democritus

Democritus, known as the 'laughing philosopher,' was an ancient Greek philosopher born around 460 B.C.E. His teachings, particularly his atomic theory of matter, are central to the video's narrative. The script discusses his life, works, and the influence of his philosophy on subsequent thinkers, highlighting his role as a foundational figure in the history of philosophy.

💡Leucippus

Leucippus was a pre-Socratic philosopher and is often mentioned alongside Democritus due to the difficulty in separating their ideas. In the script, it is mentioned that some, including Epicurus, would even deny Leucippus' existence, suggesting the close association between the two philosophers and the challenges in distinguishing their individual contributions to the atomic theory.

💡Atomic theory of matter

The atomic theory of matter is the cornerstone of Democritus' philosophy and is a central theme of the video. It posits that the universe is composed of atoms and the void. The script explains that atoms are eternal, impenetrable, and incompressible, and that they move and combine to form all phenomena in the universe, including our world, bodies, and souls.

💡Atomists

The term 'atomists' refers to the philosophical school founded by Democritus and Leucippus, which is focused on the atomic theory of matter. The script describes the atomists' approach to explaining the world without the notion of purpose or final cause, emphasizing their determinist worldview and their rejection of chance.

💡Monism and Pluralism

Monism and pluralism are philosophical concepts that the atomists sought to reconcile. Monism is the belief that there is only one fundamental substance in the universe, while pluralism posits that there are multiple fundamental substances. The script mentions that the atomist school was founded as a way to address the antagonistic ideas proposed by Parmenides and Empedocles, showing the video's exploration of early philosophical debates.

💡Determinism

Determinism is the philosophical doctrine that all events, including moral choices, are determined completely by previously existing causes. The script describes Democritus as an 'uncompromising determinist,' indicating that he denied the possibility of chance in his worldview and believed that everything happens from a cause and of necessity.

💡Void

In the context of the atomic theory, the 'void' refers to the infinite space through which atoms move. The script explains that the void is not a negation of what is but a real entity that allows for the perpetual motion of atoms. This concept is essential to understanding the atomists' view of the universe and its dynamics.

💡Epicurus

Epicurus was a later philosopher who was influenced by Democritus and the atomists. The script mentions that Epicurus took much of his influence from Democritus, particularly in his pursuit of pleasure and cheerfulness with moderation. This connection illustrates the enduring impact of Democritus' philosophy on subsequent philosophical thought.

💡Pleasure and cheerfulness

Democritus believed that the aim of life should be the pursuit of pleasure and cheerfulness, a concept that is central to the video's exploration of his ethical views. The script discusses how Democritus, like Epicurus, sought pleasure with moderation and freedom from fear and superstition, emphasizing the importance of equanimity in one's life.

💡Equanimity

Equanimity refers to a state of mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, particularly in a difficult situation. The script describes Democritus' pursuit of equanimity as a key aspect of his philosophy, suggesting that by avoiding violence, passion, and fear, one can achieve a tranquil and balanced life.

Highlights

Democritus was considered by Eduard Zeller as superior in knowledge and logical thinking among Pre-Socratic philosophers.

Democritus' philosophy is mainly known through the writings of Aristotle and is often intertwined with his teacher Leucippus.

Born around 460 B.C.E., Democritus explored the ancient world and gained recognition in Athens around 420 B.C.E.

He is attributed with 70 works on diverse topics, with the atomic theory of matter being the most remembered.

The atomic theory suggests that the universe is composed of atoms and void, with atoms being eternal and incompressible.

Atoms move in continuous motion, interlocking to form vortices that create the phenomena of the universe.

The void is considered real, providing infinite space for atoms to move, and lacks directional orientation.

Sensation is the result of external atoms interacting with those in our sensory organs, as stated by Democritus.

Aristotle questioned the initial motion of atoms, which the atomists left unexplained, considering it arbitrary.

The atomists rejected the notion of purpose or final cause in explaining the world, focusing on mechanistic explanations.

Democritus believed in a universe without direction or purpose, differing from popular religious views of his time.

He advocated for the pursuit of pleasure and cheerfulness with moderation, influencing later philosophers like Epicurus.

Democritus emphasized the importance of freedom from fear and superstition for achieving tranquility in life.

He rejected violence and extreme passion, valuing friendship over fleeting pleasures like sex.

The atomist's mechanistic approach to questions was a significant leap in reasoning for the time, influencing the Italian Renaissance.

Despite not being empirical, the atomist theory had a profound influence on philosophers from Aristotle to Spinoza.

The channel offers more exploration into eastern and western philosophy for those interested in learning more.

Transcripts

Among the Pre-Socratic philosophers there was one  which the German Philosopher Eduard Zeller would  

name “superior to all earlier and contemporary  philosophers in wealth of knowledge, and to most  

in acuteness and logical correctness of thinking.”  Join me in discovering the laughing philosopher  

Democritus. Something we should keep in mind  throughout this video is that, like Heraclitus,  

we only know him through the writings of others;  most abundantly those of Aristotle. Another point  

that should be known is that throughout the  various fragments that have been passed down  

to us it is difficult to separate Democritus from  his teacher Leucippus as they are often mentioned  

together. Some, including Epicurus, would even  deny the existence of Leucippus altogether. 

Democritus was born sometime around 460 B.C.E  in the northern Greek territory of Thrace. As  

a young man he would take to exploring the  ancient world eventually coming to Athens.  

Initially the enlightened scholars of Athens  would ignore his philosophy, but around 420 his  

philosophic prestige would reach its maturity and  all the ancient world would come to know him. 70  

works were to be attributed to our philosopher,  ranging in topic from philosophy to painting,  

and even to farming. But of the myriad works  accredited to the atomists, the tour de force,  

which most would come to remember them by is the  atomic theory of matter. Here in this theory the  

atomist thought all aspects of life could  be represented including ethics and morals. 

The founding of the atomist school apparently came  about as a way to reconcile the antagonistic ideas  

of monism and pluralism proposed by Parmenides and  Empedocles. A pitfall that we should endeavor to  

avoid is that of labeling the atomists as anything  but uncompromising determinist, he would deny the  

possibility of chance in his world view. Leucippus  is known to have said “Naught happens for nothing,  

but everything from a ground and of necessity.” Let us move forward and explore this atomic theory  

of theirs. The basic proposition was that there  were two things that our universe was composed of:  

atoms and the void. Atoms as they understood them  were eternal, impenetrable, and incompressible  

matter too small for the human eye to perceive.  They come in various shapes and move about in  

continuous motion, eventually coming into contact  with each other. If the shapes are compatible they  

are able to interlock and form vortices. From  these vortices come the myriad phenomena that  

populate the universe, this includes our world,  our body, and even our soul. The phenomena are  

not eternal as they change and rearrange; it is  only the atoms themselves which remain eternal. 

The atoms must have something to move around  in; this is what the atomists would refer to  

as the infinite void. This void should not be  mistakenly taken as the negation of what is,  

but instead should be seen as something real,  space through which atoms perpetually move  

around in. There is neither up nor down within  the void, Democritus would compare it to motes  

floating in a sunbeam when there is no wind. All sensation is but the interaction of external  

atoms with the atoms present within our sensory  organs. “By convention sweet, by convention  

bitter; by convention hot, by convention  cold; by convention color; but in reality:  

atoms and the void” – Democritus. Aristotle  would have one issue with the atomic theory;  

if all phenomena occur as the direct result of  their antecedents then how do we account for  

the initial motions of the atoms? Well, something  distinct among the atomists was their interest in  

explaining the world without the notion of purpose  of final cause. They thought that purpose was only  

applicable within reality, not to reality as  a whole. Bertrand Russell in “The History of  

Western Philosophy” said “all causal explanations,  therefore, must have an arbitrary beginning. That  

is why it is no defect in the theory of the  atomists to have left the original movements  

of the atoms unaccounted for.” He would reject  popular religion and thought that the gods were  

but a way for the masses to explain and find  comfort in the inexplicable. In the atomist’s  

view the universe has always existed and it  continues on without direction or mindful purpose.

The aim of one’s life, Democritus thought, should  be to pursue pleasure and cheerfulness. Like the  

later Epicurus he thought it should be sought  with moderation; in fact Epicurus would take much  

of his influence from Democritus and the Atomists.  We should seek freedom from fear and superstition,  

this would allow for the utmost tranquility  in one’s life. This pursuit of equanimity  

would also see Democritus reject anything  having to do with violence or abject passion. 

He thought sex, while it most certainly  is pleasurable, overwhelms an individual  

consciousness and therefore should be avoided;  friendship provides much more value through his  

eyes. One can appreciate the astonishing feat  of reason that this was for the time. Here were  

mechanistic questions and mechanistic answers,  the likes of which wouldn’t be seen again until  

the splendor that was the Italian Renaissance.  While the work of the Atomists was nothing short  

of astounding it was no more empirical than  any other theory propounded during antiquity.  

Despite this their influence was no less  profound, from Aristotle and Epicurus to  

Montaigne and Spinoza, all warmed themselves  by the embers which the Atomists left behind. 

If you would like to learn more about  eastern and western philosophy consider  

subscribing to the channel and exploring some  of the other videos in my library. As always,  

thank you for taking the time to talk  philosophy with me, until next time.