Democritus

Lore & Background

Democritus was born in Abdera, on the coast of Thrace, according to Aristotle. His father—named Hegesistratus, Damasippus, or Athenocritus—was wealthy enough to host Xerxes on his march through Abdera. Democritus spent his inheritance on extensive travels to satisfy his thirst for knowledge, journeying over much of Asia and possibly reaching India and Aethiopia; he wrote on Babylon and Meroe and is said to have lived in Egypt for five years. He declared that among his contemporaries none had made greater journeys or met more distinguished men, especially Egyptian mathematicians. After returning home, he devoted himself to philosophical investigations, particularly natural history. He also traveled within Greece to acquire Hellenic culture, and his wealth allowed him to purchase the works of earlier philosophers. Leucippus, the founder of atomism, is said to have exercised the greatest influence on his studies. Many anecdotes about his life survive but their authenticity cannot be verified; he was known for his diligence, disinterestedness, modesty, and simplicity. He may have lost his sight through excessive study, but this did not disturb his cheerful disposition, which later writers interpreted as his always laughing at the follies of men. He is said to have lived to a very old age, possibly over 100 years.

Reader's Guide

Democritus is significant as the pre-Socratic philosopher who, building on Leucippus's theory, developed a comprehensive atomic system. He argued that all phenomena arise from infinite, homogeneous atoms differing in form, order, and position, moving in a vacuum. He made the discovery of causes the highest object of scientific investigation, preferring a true cause to the kingdom of Persia. His work influenced later natural philosophy, though his original writings are lost and known only through second-hand references, especially from Aristotle. The article notes that early sources credit Leucippus with creating atomism, but later sources credit only Democritus, making their individual contributions hard to distinguish. Democritus wrote on ethics as well as physics, and his emphasis on cheerfulness earned him the nickname 'laughing philosopher.' His legacy endures as a foundational figure in the history of atomic theory.

Did You Know?

• None of Democritus' original work has survived; it is known only through second-hand references, many from Aristotle.
• He was known in antiquity as the 'laughing philosopher' because of his emphasis on the value of cheerfulness.
• He traveled extensively, possibly reaching India and Aethiopia, and is said to have lived in Egypt for five years.
• He once said he preferred the discovery of a true cause to the possession of the kingdom of Persia.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Often paraphrased as "Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is opinion." — Democritus "Sweet exists by convention, bitter by convention, colour by convention; atoms and Void [alone] exist in reality. (trans. Freeman 1948), p. 92." — Democritus "We know nothing accurately in reality, but [only] as it changes according to the bodily condition, and the constitution of those things that flow upon [the body] and impinge upon it." — Democritus "Medicine heals diseases of the body, wisdom frees the soul from passions." — Democritus