Corpuscularists

Corpuscularists were natural philosophers in the 17th century who proposed that matter is composed of discrete, indivisible particles called corpuscles. This view differed from the ancient Greek idea of atoms, as corpuscles were not necessarily immutable or fundamental in the same way. Instead, corpuscularism suggested that the properties of substances arise from the size, shape, motion, and arrangement of these small particles.

Key figures associated with corpuscularism include Robert Boyle, who extensively used the corpuscular hypothesis to explain chemical phenomena and physical properties. Pierre Gassendi also played a significant role in reviving and adapting Epicurean atomism into a more modern corpuscular framework. While the term atomism was sometimes used interchangeably, corpuscularism often implied a greater flexibility in the nature and composition of these fundamental units.

The corpuscular theory provided a mechanistic explanation for a wide range of observable phenomena, such as the properties of gases, the dissolution of solids, and the transmission of light. It offered an alternative to Aristotelian explanations that relied on occult qualities. The development of corpuscularism was a crucial step in the transition towards modern atomic theory, though it lacked the quantitative precision and experimental verification that would characterize later scientific advancements. This philosophy laid the groundwork for more rigorous investigations into the fundamental nature of matter.