Single Idea 14043

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / C. Space / 1. Void]

Full Idea

The void can neither act nor be acted upon but merely provides the possibility of motion through itself for bodies.

Gist of Idea

The void cannot interact, but just gives the possibility of motion

Source

Epicurus (Letter to Herodotus [c.293 BCE], 67)

Book Reference

Epicurus: 'The Epicurus Reader', ed/tr. Inwood,B. /Gerson,L. [Hackett 1994], p.14


A Reaction

Epicurus follows this with the anti-dualist Idea 14042, but he is at least offering the notion of something which exists without powers of causal interaction. Does space undermine the causal criterion for existence?

Related Ideas

Idea 14042 The soul cannot be incorporeal, because then it could neither act nor be acted upon [Epicurus]

Idea 5992 Chrysippus says action is the criterion for existence, which must be physical [Chrysippus, by Tieleman]

Idea 3534 To be is to have causal powers [Alexander,S]