Demócrito

Demócrito was an ancient Greek philosopher, born in Abdera, Thrace, around 460 BCE. He is best known as one of the founders of atomism, a theory that posits the universe is composed of indivisible particles called atoms, moving in a void. Demócrito developed this idea, building upon the work of his teacher, Leucippus. He proposed that atoms were eternal, unchanging, and existed in infinite numbers and varieties. Differences in objects were explained by the different shapes, sizes, and arrangements of their constituent atoms.

His philosophical system extended beyond physics. Demócrito also explored ethics, epistemology, and cosmology. He believed that happiness was achieved through tranquility of mind and moderation. He argued that knowledge is gained through sensory perception, though he also acknowledged the limitations of the senses. His writings, though numerous, are largely lost, with only fragments surviving. These fragments reveal a wide-ranging intellect that engaged with numerous aspects of the natural world and human experience. Demócrito's atomistic theory had a profound influence on later philosophers and scientists, including Epicurus and eventually, the development of modern atomic theory. He died around 370 BCE.