Parmenides and Heraclitus - 5510 Words

This paper looks at two Greek philosophers, Heraclitus, and Parmenides. It examines their different theories as to how the universe was created, understanding of the universe, way of truth, way of opinion and the third way. The author explains that Parmenides, who came after Heraclitus, addressed part of his writings as a refutation of Heraclitus? views. He objected both to Heraclitus? view of the universe and how Heraclitus felt people could gain knowledge of it. From the Paper: While we have discussed what both men see as the make up of the material world, it is equally important to take up how each man felt he could know what he knows about the universe. Mimicking a bit the structure of Parmenides? own writings, this section†¦show more content†¦But between the Sophists and Socrates there was a fundamental difference. The Sophists showed that equally good arguments could be advanced on either side of any issue; they were skeptics who doubted that there could be any certain or reliable knowledge. On the other hand, Socrates was committed to the pursuit of truth and considered it his mission to seek out certain knowledge. Unlike philosophers before them, Sophists claimed to be wise enough to teach whatever you might want to know as long as you were willing to pay them the required fees. Sophists traveled more than ordinary Greeks and they learned that there is a real variety of correct ways to do things depending upon ones perspective. They believed there was no universally appropriate way of doing anything. Therefore there can be no absolutes of any kind. Appearances are reality, at least the only reality any of us can know. They were extremely doubtful about the possibility of discovering anything that was really true. Instead, they taught their followers how to get along in the world, without certain knowledge. They taught their followers how to win disputes, how to speak well and convincingly how to succeed. Their underlying theory developed from two remarks of two of the leading Sophists. Protagoras, perhaps the greatest of the Sophists, said Main is the measure of all things and Gorgias, another great sophist, proclaimed, Nothing exists, and if it did, no one could know it, and if theyShow MoreRelatedSimilarities And Weaknesses Of Heraclitus And Parmenides1547 Words   |  7 Pages Heraclitus and Parmenides were two of the most influential and enigmatic of the Presocratic philosophers. Heraclitus argued for the idea that reality is impermanent, while Parmenides argued that reality is static. Parmenides also focused on using rationality to discern the nature of reality, as opposed to Heraclitus’ use of sensory experiences. They both argued for reality being one distinct thing, however there are differences between them in this idea of unity. Nietzsche s perspectivism isRead MorePre-Socratic View on Change-Motion Essay1716 Words   |  7 Pagesmotion has not always been so well defined. The unknown aspects of what caused change and motion, how it affected the world, or whether change or motion was even possible led to a search for answers among many philosophers in Ancient Greece. Heraclitus, Parmenides and Zeno, and Epicurus, all pre-Socratic philosophers, were intrigued by this topic. Each of the men proposed their theories as to what caused change or motion, if they believed change or motion even existed, which not all did, and describedRead MoreParmenides: the Real Being Essay1561 Words   |  7 PagesParmenides: The Real Being Parmenides, as did Heraclitus before him, wrote about a state known as What Is. However, they differed sharply in their view of that state. Parmenides insisted that What Is be viewed as a constant. Heraclitus focus was on elements transferring to and from opposites. Parmenides concentrated on a sense of being. Heraclitus believed in a flux or Yin and Yang in the world that promoted harmony and stability, What is opposed brings together, the finest harmonyRead MoreParmemides and Heraclitus on Change Essay525 Words   |  3 PagesHeraclitus argued there was a single divine law of the universe, which rules and guides the cosmos. This is the Logos. He said that the logos both underlies and governs change. Heraclitus compares the logos to fire an element that is always changing yet always the same. For example he said, The sun is new each day.(Curd Pg. 38 88) His view was that all things are derived from a single arche or starting point and that as now constituted all things are o rganized within a single world structure orRead MoreAristotle s Views On Metaphysics And Cosmology1481 Words   |  6 PagesParmenides, although generally ascribed the position of a monist, offers arguments through his poem that are not so clearly of monist persuasion and at times, creates a whole host of possible meanings. His views on metaphysics and cosmology seem to differ from his predecessor Heraclitus’ doctrine of flux, believing instead that all is continuously one and unchanging, maintaining that beings are what exist and non-beings cannot exist through the acknowledgement that what is existent cannot be createdRead MoreAncient Greek Philosophers911 Words   |  4 Pagesto elaborate and explain how change and motion occur. Heraclitus’ conclusion can be summed up in a quote of his: â€Å"One cannot step into the same river twice.† Parmenides and Zeno, unlike Heraclitus, came to the conclusion that the world was practically an unmovable brick; there is no change, there is no motion. Finally, Epicurus came to the conclusion that the world was formed from indivisible, and constantly colliding atoms. Heraclitus was a monist. His interpretation of the one and true realityRead MoreEssay on Ancient Greeks Philosophy Change/Motion1028 Words   |  5 PagesHeraclitus, like many of the beginning philosophers was a monist. His interpretation of the one reality was fire; however, this is not to be taken literally. Heraclitus believed that the â€Å"one† could not be any material thing, but could be found in the orderliness of change and he explained fire as â€Å"always changing yet somehow is always the same.† By having orderliness, there is possibility for the human mind to understand the cosmos instead of it being chaotic and based on the gods’ wills. He believedRead MoreGreek Philosophy : The Concept Of God : Greek Philosophy1373 Words   |  6 Pagesthe gods† (Xenophanes pg 32 B1 line 24). In Heraclitus, it is said that the gods were very nourishing supporting and had power with no limit. He states, â€Å"Those who speak with understanding (noos) must rely firmly on what is common to all as city must rely on [its?] law, and much more firmly. For all human laws are nourished by one law, the divine law; for it has a much power as it wishes and is sufficient for all and is still left over† ( Heraclitus pg 43 23 B114). Also the gods had a lot of wisdomRead MoreWho Were The Pythagoreans? How Did They Try Solve The Dilemma Of Anaximander?1131 Words   |  5 Pages(Parker, 20). 5. What was Parmenides’ answer to the same riddle? Parmenides’ answer to the riddle was that â€Å"change is an illusion† meaning all there is already exists and nothing can change. Parmenides disbelieves in his senses thus his reason that change is in fact an illusion. 6. What was the answer of the Pluralists, and how was this an attempt to reconcile the opposed positions of Heraclitus and Parmenides? The Pluralists try to maintain both what Heraclitus and Parmenides say by â€Å"preserving† simplicityRead MoreThe Differing Perspectives of Greek Philosophers Essay1344 Words   |  6 PagesUnlike Parmenides and Heraclitus, who took a clear stance on whether being is changing or unchanging, Empedocles argued that things do change, but these objects are composed of materials that do not change. The change that we see is merely a cause of the interaction and changes in position of the four basic elements (earth, air, fire, and water). Much like Heraclitus and his views that orderly change is brought about by the â€Å"logos†, Empedocles also recognized that there was a force responsible for