Demokritos 哲學一愛 493031400 姜雅薇

《 Demokritos 》

Democritus, who was a disciple of Leucippus, is a more certain figure. He was born 460 BC in Abdera in the north of Greece and died at the age of 90 years, after leaving an expansive work elaborating his philosophy including the atomistic theory in great detail. After the death of his father he traveled in search of wisdom, He is said to have visited Egypt, Ethiopia, Persia, and India. Democritus expanded the atomic theory of Leucippus. They held that the nature of things consists of an infinite number of extremely small particles, which they called atoms. Atoms are physically, but not geometrically, indivisible. Democritus described atoms as being indestructible and completely full, i.e. containing no empty space. Because of their indestructibility, atoms are eternal. According to the atomists, nature exists only of two things, namely atoms and the void that surrounds them. They developed a fully mechanistic view of nature in which every material phenomenon is seen a product of the atom collisions. Democritus' theory had no place for the notion of purpose and the intervention of gods in the workings of the world. He even held that mind and soul is formed by the movement of atoms. In this regard, his attitude was genuinely materialistic.Ivy：Hello! Mr. Democritus. Could you say hello to everybody?Democritus：Hello, everybody! My name is Democritus.
Ivy：We know that you’re a person who was born before Christ. Could you tell us when your time was?Democritus：Oh , I was born in 460B.C., and died in 370B.C..
Ivy：Wow, you have lived for 90 years! It’s so long! Where were you born?Democritus：I was born in the North of Greece. It’s a good place. There is a lot culture.
Ivy：What was your life like?Democritus：I have the desire to go after the truth, and I have been to Egypt, Persia, and India etc. I also like to think, so I have a lot of experiences and knowledge. Ivy：In your opinion , who has effected your theories?Democritus：I think Leucippus, Empedocles, and Anaxagoras. They are both great philosopher. I would say they have effected me the most.
Ivy：Yes, and what is your theory of knowledge?Democritus：In simple, people’s knowledge comes from the sense of organs , and knowing a subject is different to acknowledging a subject.
Ivy：So you are saying that people cannot really know things? Then, what was your theory of the universe?Democritus：Universe are formed by atoms. Atoms are eternal, it is indestructible. All the living and death that happens in the universe are caused by the power of love and hate from the atoms.
Ivy：Wow! It’s so special! And could you talk about your theory of the ethics ?Democritus：Of course. People’s morals and ethnics didn’t born to have it. Ethics and morals can be taught to have such things. Ivy：So you think people are able learn moral and ethic? Then, what is your thoughts regarding to soul ?Democritus：Soul is some kind of life and passion , it is a ball-like atom. A source of life that functions your body.
Ivy：Wow, atoms! Are there other philosopher that lives in the same time with you?Democritus：Yes, such as Aristophanes, Xenophon, Plato and so on. They are also famous and great philosophers.
Ivy：Yes, they are great too. And in your opinion, which philosophers did you effect ? Democritus：I think I effected Epicurus and Aristotle.
Ivy：Wow, they are great. Revising this interview with you today, we have starting to know you better. Hope we have a chance to have a conversation again.Democritus：Your welcome. I like to. See you next time!