Phil. 3383 Dr. Cynthia Freeland Spring 2000
Common Themes in the Pluralists
A Parmenidean Metaphysics of Being
Anaxagoras line 30, no. 32, p. 50; 43, 44, 45
Empedocles 18, p. 46; 25 (Aristotle's explanation)
Democritus 6,7
Pluralism: Assertions of Plurality
Anax: 1, 27
Emped: 32, 33
Democ: 4, 5
Epistemology/Views on the Senses and Knowledge
Anax: Mind: 12, 13-14, 15; Senses: 21, 22, 8
Emped: 29, 31, lines 20-21 of 32, p. 50; 56, 57, 58
Democ: 4, 20 (sweet), 21, 22, 26, 27
Physics: Explanations of Composition/Change
Anax: Seeds, Homoiomeres: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 25, 26, 12, 16
Emped: Four roots, two principles: 33, 36 (painters analogy)
Democ: Atoms: 3
Cosmology: Cosmic structure, order, origins, processes
Anax: 4, 5, 6, 10, 17, 14, 16 Rotation, mixture, separation, Mind
Emped: 32 (double story, Love and Strife, cycles), 48, 49, 50, etc.
Democ: Reason and Necessity: 1, 2, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19
Ethics
Anax: ?? (Mind?)
Emped: Love; avoid bloodshed and strife (see readings from Book of Purifications)
Democ: Balance and moderation 28-9, 31, 32
Five Principles of Homoiomeres
(G.B. Kerferd, "Anaxagoras and the Concept of Matter before Aristotle")