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Single Idea 17463
[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 6. Early Matter Theories / f. Ancient elements
]
Full Idea
An element is a body into which other bodies may be analyzed, present in them potentially or in actuality (which of these is still disputable), and not itself divisible into bodies different in form. That is what all men mean by element.
Gist of Idea
An element is what bodies are analysed into, and won't itself divide into something else
Source
Aristotle (On the Heavens [c.336 BCE], 302a05), quoted by Weisberg/Needham/Hendry - Philosophy of Chemistry 1.1
Book Ref
'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.4
A Reaction
This is the classic definition of an element, which endured for a long time, and has been replaced by an 'actual components' view. Obviously analysis nowadays goes well beyond the atoms.
The
28 ideas
with the same theme
[early theories of basic components of matter]:
7992
|
The visible forms of nature are earth, water, fire, air, ether; mind, reason, and the sense of 'I'
[Anon (Bhag)]
|
5096
|
Heraclitus says that at some time everything becomes fire
[Heraclitus, by Aristotle]
|
17539
|
The sayings of Heraclitus are still correct, if we replace 'fire' with 'energy'
[Heraclitus, by Heisenberg]
|
3054
|
Heraclitus said fire could be transformed to create the other lower elements
[Heraclitus, by Diog. Laertius]
|
1792
|
He taught that there are two elements, fire the maker, and earth the matter
[Parmenides, by Diog. Laertius]
|
13208
|
Anaxagoreans regard the homoeomeries as elements, which compose earth, air, fire and water
[Anaxagoras, by Aristotle]
|
6002
|
Empedocles says bone is water, fire and earth in ratio 2:4:2
[Empedocles, by Inwood]
|
13207
|
Fire, Water, Air and Earth are elements, being simple as well as homoeomerous
[Empedocles, by Aristotle]
|
13218
|
The elements combine in coming-to-be, but how do the elements themselves come-to-be?
[Aristotle on Empedocles]
|
2680
|
Empedocles said that there are four material elements, and two further creative elements
[Empedocles, by Aristotle]
|
13225
|
Love and Strife only explain movement if their effects are distinctive
[Aristotle on Empedocles]
|
460
|
If the one Being ever diminishes it would no longer exist, and what could ever increase it?
[Empedocles]
|
459
|
All change is unity through love or division through hate
[Empedocles]
|
486
|
Plants and animals can only come into existence if something fixes their species
[Diogenes of Apollonia]
|
485
|
Things must retain their essential nature during change, or mixing would be impossible
[Diogenes of Apollonia]
|
16594
|
The Four Elements must change into one another, or else alteration is impossible
[Aristotle]
|
13223
|
Fire is hot and dry; Air is hot and moist; Water is cold and moist; Earth is cold and dry
[Aristotle]
|
16102
|
Aether moves in circles and is imperishable; the four elements perish, and move in straight lines
[Aristotle, by Gill,ML]
|
17463
|
An element is what bodies are analysed into, and won't itself divide into something else
[Aristotle]
|
16098
|
I claim that Aristotle's foundation is the four elements, and not wholly potential prime matter
[Aristotle, by Gill,ML]
|
17464
|
When Aristotle's elements compound they are stable, so why would they ever separate?
[Weisberg/Needham/Hendry on Aristotle]
|
20828
|
Fire is a separate element, not formed with others (as was previously believed)
[Chrysippus, by Stobaeus]
|
21403
|
The later Stoics identified the logos with an air-fire compound, called 'pneuma'
[Chrysippus, by Long]
|
5975
|
Stoics say earth, air, fire and water are the primary elements
[Chrysippus, by Plutarch]
|
16570
|
Elements are found last in dismantling bodies, and first in generating them
[Albert of Saxony]
|
16569
|
The Hot, Cold, Wet and Dry of the philosophers need themselves to be explained
[Descartes]
|
12707
|
The true elements are atomic monads
[Leibniz]
|
17465
|
Lavoisier's elements included four types of earth
[Weisberg/Needham/Hendry]
|