Single Idea 14030

[catalogued under 7. Existence / B. Change in Existence / 1. Nature of Change]

Full Idea

The totality of things has always been just like it is now and always will be. For there is nothing for it to change into. For there exists nothing in addition to the totality, which could enter into it and produce the change.

Gist of Idea

The totality is complete, so there is no room for it to change, and nothing extraneous to change it

Source

Epicurus (Letter to Herodotus [c.293 BCE], 39)

Book Reference

Epicurus: 'The Epicurus Reader', ed/tr. Inwood,B. /Gerson,L. [Hackett 1994], p.6


A Reaction

This smacks of the sort of dubious arguments that the medieval theologians fell in love with. I never thought I'd say this, but I think Epicurus needs a comprehensive course in set theory before he makes remarks like this.

Related Idea

Idea 14028 Nothing comes to be from what doesn't exist [Epicurus]