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Single Idea 14028
[filed under theme 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 1. Nature of Existence
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Full Idea
Nothing comes into being from what is not.
Gist of Idea
Nothing comes to be from what doesn't exist
Source
Epicurus (Letter to Herodotus [c.293 BCE], 38)
Book Ref
Epicurus: 'The Epicurus Reader', ed/tr. Inwood,B. /Gerson,L. [Hackett 1994], p.6
A Reaction
King Lear puts it better: Nothing will come of nothing [1.i]. There seems to be an underlying assumption that coming into being out of nothing is much weirder than just existing, but I am not convinced about that. It's all equally weird.
Related Ideas
Idea 14029
If disappearing things went to nothingness, nothing could return, and it would all be gone by now [Epicurus]
Idea 14030
The totality is complete, so there is no room for it to change, and nothing extraneous to change it [Epicurus]
The
25 ideas
from 'Letter to Herodotus'
14028
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Nothing comes to be from what doesn't exist
[Epicurus]
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14027
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If we are to use words in enquiry, we need their main, unambiguous and uncontested meanings
[Epicurus]
|
14029
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If disappearing things went to nothingness, nothing could return, and it would all be gone by now
[Epicurus]
|
14030
|
The totality is complete, so there is no room for it to change, and nothing extraneous to change it
[Epicurus]
|
14031
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Space must exist, since movement is obvious, and there must be somewhere to move in
[Epicurus]
|
14032
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Totality has no edge; an edge implies a contrast beyond the edge, and there can't be one
[Epicurus]
|
14033
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Bodies are unlimited as well as void, since the two necessarily go together
[Epicurus]
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14034
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There exists an infinity of each shape of atom, but the number of shapes is beyond our knowledge
[Epicurus]
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14035
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Atoms just have shape, size and weight; colour results from their arrangement
[Epicurus]
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14036
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There are endless cosmoi, some like and some unlike this one
[Epicurus]
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6010
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Illusions are not false perceptions, as we accurately perceive the pattern of atoms
[Epicurus, by Modrak]
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14037
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Atoms only have shape, weight and size, and the properties which accompany shape
[Epicurus]
|
14038
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There cannot be unlimited division, because it would reduce things to non-existence
[Epicurus]
|
14039
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Above and below us will never appear to be the same, because it is inconceivable
[Epicurus]
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14040
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Observation and applied thought are always true
[Epicurus]
|
14041
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The soul is fine parts distributed through the body, resembling hot breath
[Epicurus]
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14042
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The soul cannot be incorporeal, because then it could neither act nor be acted upon
[Epicurus]
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14043
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The void cannot interact, but just gives the possibility of motion
[Epicurus]
|
14044
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The perceived accidental properties of bodies cannot be conceived of as independent natures
[Epicurus]
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14045
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Accidental properties give a body its nature, but are not themselves bodies or parts of bodies
[Epicurus]
|
14046
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A 'body' is a conception of an aggregate, with properties defined by application conditions
[Epicurus]
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14047
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Bodies have impermanent properties, and permanent ones which define its conceived nature
[Epicurus]
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14048
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Astronomical movements are blessed, but they don't need the help of the gods
[Epicurus]
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14049
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We aim to know the natures which are observed in natural phenomena
[Epicurus]
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14050
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We aim to dissolve our fears, by understanding their causes
[Epicurus]
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