Empedocles

When1:  -460

When2:  -440

Who:    Empedocles

What:   philosopher

Where:  Agrigentum, Sicily

works\  On Nature [-460 to -440]; Purifications [-460 to -440]

Detail: He lived -492 to -432 and introduced the four elements. Reality has earth, water, air, and fire {four elements}. Elements can divide into infinitely small parts. Ways elements combine, not elements themselves, cause physical qualities. Elements are unchanging, but their movements cause world changes. Love or attraction opposes conflict, hate, strife, or repulsion. Tension causes motion, which has cycles. Circular motion {vortex, Empedocles} is element fundamental motion, because element collisions result in rotations, which draw in more elements and increase size. Lighter elements go to edge, mechanically forming worlds and living things. There is no purpose. Animals change as living conditions change, and only the fittest survive.

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Date Modified: 2022.0224