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Single Idea 14031

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / C. Space / 4. Substantival Space]

Full Idea

If there did not exist that which we call void and space and intangible nature, bodies would not have any place to be in or move through, as they obviously do move.

Gist of Idea

Space must exist, since movement is obvious, and there must be somewhere to move in

Source

Epicurus (Letter to Herodotus [c.293 BCE], 40)

Book Reference

Epicurus: 'The Epicurus Reader', ed/tr. Inwood,B. /Gerson,L. [Hackett 1994], p.6


A Reaction

The observation that 'they obviously do move' must be aimed at followers of Parmenides. The idea of the void seems to contain a Newtonian commitment to absolute space.