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Single Idea 20822

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

Full Idea

Zeno and his followers say that there is no void within the cosmos but an indefinite void outside it.

Gist of Idea

There is no void in the cosmos, but indefinite void outside it

Source

report of Zeno (Citium) (fragments/reports [c.294 BCE]) by Pseudo-Plutarch - On the Doctrine of the Philosophers 884a

A Reaction

Only atomists (such as Epicureans) need void within the cosmos, as space within which atoms can move. What would they make of modern 'fields'? Posidonius later said there was sufficient, but not infinite, void.

Book Reference

'The Stoics Reader', ed/tr. Inwood,B/Gerson,L.P. [Hackett 2008], p.88