Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Anaxarchus, Werner Heisenberg and Pherecydes

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2 ideas

27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 2. Thermodynamics / a. Energy
Energy is that which moves, and is the substance from which everything is made [Heisenberg]
     Full Idea: Energy is the substance from which all elementary particles, all atoms and therefore all things are made, and energy is that which moves.
     From: Werner Heisenberg (Physics and Philosophy [1958], 04)
     A reaction: I'm not sure what energy is, but I like this because it says that nature is fundamentally active. Nothing makes sense without that basic assumption (on which Leibniz continually insists).
Energy is an unchanging substance, having many forms, and causing all change [Heisenberg]
     Full Idea: Energy is a substance, since its total amount does not change. ...Energy can be changed into motion, into heat, into light and into tension. Energy may be called the fundamental cause for all change in the world.
     From: Werner Heisenberg (Physics and Philosophy [1958], 04)
     A reaction: Grandiose stuff. I remain unconvinced that Heisenberg (clever fellow, I'm told) has any idea of what he is talking about.