XENOPHANES
If we think we see change, we are fooled; for it cannot be. The universe is a solid mass which is forever unchangeable, unmovable. The parts might change, but the whole could never change. Xenophanes lived in Elea and was an Eleatic. PARMEDNIDES All change is inconceivable. If there were change something would have to come from nothing, and that is impossible. What we see with our eyes is not true but an illusion. The universe is unchangable and unmovable. Parmenides was also from the school of Elea. EMPEDOCLES The universe as a whole is unchangable, but there is mingling and separation within it. There are four root elements, earth, air, fire, and water and there are millions and millions of tiny particles in each element. As things decay the elements separate and may come together or mingle again in another thing. The mingling is caused by Love and Hate. Love brings them together and hate breaks them apart. Metropolitan Museum of Art Miniatures ANAXAGORAS There must be more than four elements. There are untold millions of elements and substances each in millions of untold tiny pieces. No element can be changed into another therefore in reality, there is no change. The elements combine and separate not because of anything in them, but because of the rotation of the heavenly bodies. A whirling motion was produced in the original mass of elements which was lying quiet and the universe was formed. PROTAGORAS Man is the measure of all things. Man is free, able to determine his own fate, can mold his universe in such a way that his desires will be satisfied. Barnes & Noble, Inc. |