Democritus

Democritus (Greek: Δημόκριτος, Dēmokritos, "chosen of the people") (ca. 460 – ca. 370 BC) was an Ancient Greek philosopher born in Abdera, Thrace, Greece.[1] He was an influential pre-Socratic philosopher and pupil of Leucippus, who formulated an atomic theory for the universe.[2]
His exact contributions are difficult to disentangle from those of his mentor Leucippus, as they are often mentionedtogether in texts. Their speculation on atoms, taken from Leucippus, bears a passing and partial resemblance to the nineteenth-century understanding of atomic structure that has led some to regard Democritus as more of a scientist than other Greek philosophers; however their ideas rested on very different bases.[3] Largely ignored in ancient Athens, Democritus was nevertheless well known to hisfellow northern-born philosopher Aristotle. Plato is said to have disliked him so much that he wished all his books burned.[1] Many consider Democritus to be the "father of modern science".[4]

Democritus was born in the city of Abdera in Thrace, an Ionian colony of Teos,[5] although some called him a Milesian.[6] He was born in the 80th Olympiad (460–457 BC) according to Apollodorus ofAthens,[7] and although Thrasyllus placed his birth in 470 BC,[7] the later date is probably more likely.[8] John Burnet has argued that the date of 460 is "too early", since according to Diogenes Laërtius ix.41, Democritus said that he was a "young man (neos)" during Anaxagoras' old age (circa 440–428).[9] It was said that Democritus' father was so wealthy that he received Xerxes on his march throughAbdera. Democritus spent the inheritance which his father left him on travels into distant countries, to satisfy his thirst for knowledge. He traveled to Asia, and was even said to have reached India andEthiopia.[10]

Democritus, by Hendrick ter Brugghen, 1628.
We know that he wrote on Babylon and Meroe; he must also have visited Egypt, and Diodorus Siculus states that he lived there for fiveyears.[11] He himself declared[12] that among his contemporaries none had made greater journeys, seen more countries, and met more scholars than himself. He particularly mentions the Egyptian mathematicians, whose knowledge he praises.Theophrastus, too, spoke of him as a man who had seen many countries.[13] During his travels, according to Diogenes Laërtius, he became acquainted with the Chaldean magi.A certain "Ostanes", one of the magi accompanying Xerxes was also said to have taught him.[14]
After returning to his native land he occupied himself with natural philosophy. He traveled throughoutGreece to acquire a knowledge of its culture. He mentions many Greek philosophers in his writings, and his wealth enabled him to purchase their writings. Leucippus, the founder of the atomism, was thegreatest influence upon him. He also praises Anaxagoras.[15] Diogenes Laertius says that he was friends with Hippocrates.[16] He may have been acquainted with Socrates, but Plato does not mention him and Democritus himself is quoted as saying, "I came to Athens and no one knew me."[17]Aristotle placed him among the pre-Socratic natural philosophers.[18]

Rembrandt, The Young Rembrandt asDemocritus the Laughing Philosopher (1628-1629).
The many anecdotes about Democritus, especially in Diogenes Laërtius, attest to his disinterest, modesty, and simplicity, and show that he lived exclusively for his studies. One story has him deliberately blinding himself in order to be less disturbed in his pursuits;[19] it may well be true that he lost his sight in old age. He was cheerful, and wasalways ready to see the comical side of life, which later writers took to mean that he always laughed at the foolishness of people.[20]
He was highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens, "because," as Diogenes Laërtius says, "he had foretold them some things which events proved to be true," which may refer to his knowledge ofnatural phenomena. According to Diodorus Siculus,[21] Democritus died at the...