Aristotle and Aristotle and DemocritusDemocritus

By By Kartik JevajiKartik Jevaji

AndAndKris TsangKris Tsang

AristotleAristotle

The Theory of MatterThe Theory of Matter

Who is this man?

BackgroundBackground

384-322 BCE384-322 BCE Born in Stagira, MacedoniaBorn in Stagira, Macedonia Studied at Plato’s academyStudied at Plato’s academy Tutored Alexander the Great in Tutored Alexander the Great in

PellaPella Founded the Lyceum in AthensFounded the Lyceum in Athens

Aristotle’s Astronomy Aristotle’s Astronomy and and

TheoriesTheories A finite, spherical universe, with the earth at A finite, spherical universe, with the earth at

its center. its center. Four elements.Four elements. Heavier bodies of a given material fall faster Heavier bodies of a given material fall faster

than lighter ones if the shapes are the same than lighter ones if the shapes are the same (proven wrong by Galileo).(proven wrong by Galileo).

Earth is linear, and heaven is circular.Earth is linear, and heaven is circular. EtherEther

– Substance that fills all space (proven wrong).Substance that fills all space (proven wrong).– Light passes through thisLight passes through this

The Four ElementsThe Four Elements

1.1. EarthEarth

2.2. Wind Wind

3.3. FireFire

4.4. Water Water

What are they?

DemocritusDemocritusWho is this man?

BackgroundBackground

460-370 BCE460-370 BCE Abdera, ThraceAbdera, Thrace The atomosThe atomos

– All things are composed of minute, All things are composed of minute, invisible, indivisible particles of pure invisible, indivisible particles of pure mattermatter

Everything is made of atomsEverything is made of atoms

DemocritusDemocritus Atoms of water were Atoms of water were

smooth, round, and smooth, round, and unable to "hook" unable to "hook" together so they roll over together so they roll over and over each otherand over each other

He said that iron atoms He said that iron atoms have jagged, rough, and have jagged, rough, and uneven edges, so they uneven edges, so they can hook together to can hook together to form a solid.form a solid.

He explained that even He explained that even though all atoms are though all atoms are fundamentally the same fundamentally the same that small differences that small differences make different matter. make different matter.

He believed white things He believed white things have surfaces made of have surfaces made of smooth atoms, sour smooth atoms, sour things consisted of things consisted of needle-like atoms.needle-like atoms.

Democritus also explained Democritus also explained people's thoughts and senses people's thoughts and senses with atoms. He said that when with atoms. He said that when you see something, that a film of you see something, that a film of atoms thrown off an object enter atoms thrown off an object enter your eye. He explains the concept your eye. He explains the concept of a soul by saying there were of a soul by saying there were soul atoms. Democritus also soul atoms. Democritus also believed that atoms can not be believed that atoms can not be created, or perish.created, or perish.

Aristotle or Aristotle or Democritus?Democritus?

Because of the time, Democritus' atom Because of the time, Democritus' atom theory seemed odd. People believed that theory seemed odd. People believed that their fate was steered by the gods of the their fate was steered by the gods of the Olympus. They were uncomfortable with the Olympus. They were uncomfortable with the idea that everything is a product of atom idea that everything is a product of atom collisions. collisions.

Plato and Aristotle did not like Democritus’ Plato and Aristotle did not like Democritus’ works.works.

People believed Plato and Aristotle until John People believed Plato and Aristotle until John Dalton discovered the atom.Dalton discovered the atom.

Neither Aristotle nor Democritus had Neither Aristotle nor Democritus had experimental evidence.experimental evidence.

Who did the people of ancient Greece choose?

SummarySummary

AristotleAristotle– Everything made up of four Everything made up of four

elementselements– Believed by peopleBelieved by people

DemocritusDemocritus– Everything is made of atomsEverything is made of atoms– Criticized by peopleCriticized by people

BibliographyBibliography

Leucippus and Democritus, available at Leucippus and Democritus, available at http://www.thebigview.com/greeks/democritus.html, http://www.thebigview.com/greeks/democritus.html, accessed on 13 October, 2003.accessed on 13 October, 2003.

Atom, available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/atom, Atom, available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/atom, accessed on 13 October, 2003.accessed on 13 October, 2003.

Aristotle, available at Aristotle, available at http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.ashttp://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=761557129, accessed on 13 October, 2003.px?refid=761557129, accessed on 13 October, 2003.

Democritus, available at Democritus, available at http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.ashttp://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=761562516, accessed on 13 October, 2003.px?refid=761562516, accessed on 13 October, 2003.