DOI: 10.4324/9780415249126-A064-1
Version: v1, Published online: 1998
Retrieved June 10, 2023, from https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/biographical/leucippus-5th-century-bc/v-1
Version: v1, Published online: 1998
Retrieved June 10, 2023, from https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/biographical/leucippus-5th-century-bc/v-1
Article Summary
The early Greek philosopher Leucippus was the founder of atomism. Virtually nothing is known of his life, and his very existence was disputed in antiquity, but his role as the originator of atomism is firmly attested by Aristotle and Theophrastus, although the evidence does not allow any distinction between his doctrines and those of his more celebrated successor Democritus. He wrote a comprehensive account of the universe, the Great World-System . The single surviving quotation from his work asserts universal determinism.
Citing this article:
Taylor, C.C.W.. Leucippus (5th century BC), 1998, doi:10.4324/9780415249126-A064-1. Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Taylor and Francis, https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/biographical/leucippus-5th-century-bc/v-1.
Copyright © 1998-2023 Routledge.
Taylor, C.C.W.. Leucippus (5th century BC), 1998, doi:10.4324/9780415249126-A064-1. Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Taylor and Francis, https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/biographical/leucippus-5th-century-bc/v-1.
Copyright © 1998-2023 Routledge.