Democritus

Also known as Democritus of Abdera, Laughing Philosopher, Demokritos

Democritus (, ; , Dēmókritos, meaning "chosen of the people"; – ) was an Ancient Greek pre-Socratic philosopher from Abdera, primarily remembered today for his formulation of an atomic theory of the universe. Democritus wrote extensively on a wide variety of topics.

AI overview

Democritus was an ancient Greek philosopher from Abdera who is best known for developing the idea that all matter is made up of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms. His atomic theory and his wide-ranging writings on many subjects made him an influential thinker in the history of philosophy and science.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Person · Open Library

Born: 1673
Died: 1734
Works: 24

Top works

Vera demonstratio evangelica, das ist Ein in der Natur und dem Wesen der Sachen selbst so wohl, als in heiliger Schrifft gegründeter Beweisz der Lehre und des Mittler=Amts Jesu Christi durch Christianum Democritum [pseud.] von Mitter=Nacht mit sich zurück in Teutschland gebracht, und der Pest, die im Finstern schleichet, nebst der Seuche, die im Mittage verderbet, als ein Gegen=Gifft entgegen gestellt
Quo, moriture, ruis, Peter Hanssen!
Vertheidigung seines Tractats Vera Demonstratio evangelica & c. gennant gegen zwey unter sich selbst zwar widrig-gesinnte aber doch hier zu einem Ziel lauffende Richter, nämlich den Barbarum Erdmann Neumeister ...
Haupt-Summa derer theologischen Grund=Lehren Christiani Democriti von einem unpartheyischen Liebhaber der Wahrheit aus dessen Schrifften extrahiret, von dem Auctore aber selbst approbiret und für die seine erkannt; samt dessen kurtzen Vorbericht
Poëtischer Wiederhall aus Teutschland auf den zierlichen Bären=Tantz welchen ein Schweitzer=Poët und D. Medicinä in Bern die sogenannte Pietisten zu schrecken neulich auf dem Theatro derer Gelehrten cantando präsentiret hat

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Listeners · Last.fm

Listeners: 18
Total plays: 22

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Recent publications · Crossref

5 total works indexed

E-waste: Environmental Problems and Current Management
· 2010 · cited 130x
Cardiovascular Implications of Sphingomyelin Presence in Biological Membranes
· 2018 · cited 45x
Copper removal from industrial wastewaters by means of electrostatic shielding driven electrodeionization
· 2009 · cited 34x
Comparison of nest-site selection patterns of different sympatric raptor species as a tool for their conservation
· 2007 · cited 31x
Diagnostic Methods for an Aircraft Engine Performance
· 2015 · cited 28x

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Quotes

“We know nothing accurately in reality, but [only] as it changes according to the bodily condition, and the constitution of those things that flow upon [the body] and impinge upon it.”
“Coition is a slight attack of apoplexy. For man gushes forth from man, and is separated by being torn apart with a kind of blow.”
“Man is a universe in little [Microcosm].”
“Πολλοὶ πολυμαθέες νοῦν οὐκ ἔχουσιν.”
“Immoderate desire is the mark of a child, not a man.”
“[I would] rather discover one cause than gain the kingdom of Persia.”

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Key facts

Philosopher.name: Democritus
Philosopher.image: Unknown greek pushkin.jpg
Philosopher.caption: A philosopher, possibly Democritus. Casting of e Villa of the Papyri.
Philosopher.birth_place: Abdera, Thrace
Philosopher.death_date: (aged approximately 90)
Philosopher.era: Pre-Socratic philosophy
Philosopher.region: Western philosophy
Philosopher.school_tradition: Atomism

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Image: Unknown greek pushkin.jpg

Show 6 more facts

Commons category: Democritus
date of birth: 0460-01-01
date of death: 0360-01-01
name in native language: Δημόκριτος
P8168: symbolic dynamics
significant place: Ancient Abdera

Sources (4)

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~28 min read

Article

22 sections

Contents

Life
Philosophy
Atomism
Epistemology
Mathematics
Anthropology
Ethics
Aesthetics
Works
Legacy
Classical antiquity
Renaissance and early Modern Period
Modern atomism
The Laughing Philosopher
See also
Notes
Citations
References
Ancient testimony
Translations
Further reading
External links

None of Democritus' original work has survived, except through second-hand references. Many of these references come from Aristotle, who viewed him as an important rival in the field of natural philosophy. He was known in antiquity as the ‘laughing philosopher’ because of his emphasis on the value of cheerfulness.