Single Idea 21670

[catalogued under 16. Persons / F. Free Will / 6. Determinism / a. Determinism]

Full Idea

The author of the atomic theory, Democritus, preferred to accept the view that all events are caused by necessity, rather than to deprive the atoms of their natural motions.

Gist of Idea

Democritus said atoms only move by their natural motions, which are therefore necessary

Source

report of Democritus (fragments/reports [c.431 BCE]) by M. Tullius Cicero - On Fate ('De fato') 10.23

Book Reference

Cicero: 'On Fate, Stoic Paradoxes, Oratory', ed/tr. Rackham,H. [Harvard Loeb 1942], p.219


A Reaction

The 'deprivation' would have to be caused by mind, or by the later 'swerve' of Epicurus.

Related Idea

Idea 21669 Atoms don't swerve by being struck, because they move in parallel, so the swerve is uncaused [Cicero on Epicurus]