Single Idea 14037

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 2. Qualities in Perception / c. Primary qualities]

Full Idea

One must believe that the atoms bring with them none of the qualities of things which appear except shape, weight, and size and the properties which necessarily accompany shape.

Gist of Idea

Atoms only have shape, weight and size, and the properties which accompany shape

Source

Epicurus (Letter to Herodotus [c.293 BCE], 54)

Book Reference

Epicurus: 'The Epicurus Reader', ed/tr. Inwood,B. /Gerson,L. [Hackett 1994], p.10


A Reaction

This appears to be fairly precisely a claim that atoms only have primary qualities, though that terminology only came in in the seventeenth century. I take the view to be more or less correct.

Related Idea

Idea 14035 Atoms just have shape, size and weight; colour results from their arrangement [Epicurus]