Only in the period of the alchemists did this begin to change. His ideas were therefore generally unquestioned. Many consider 2008 the 200th anniversary of atomic theory, John Dalton’s momentous theory of the nature of matter. Due to the scientific progress some of Aristotle’s ideas brought about, Aristotle was revered in the Middle Ages. While many biological discoveries lead to progress of understanding human condition, the idea ON MATTER lead to hindrance. It has been said that Aristotle discovered much on many areas of science, leading both to ideas causing some of the greatest progresses in science but also to ideas that lead to some of the greatest hindrance to scientific progress. This contribution was the delay caused to the emergence of the atomic theory. Despite this, Aristotle’s theory did contribute too the atomic theory in another way which was a negative way. The only thing Aristotle discovered that caries on to the modern atomic theory is the fact that there are elements, which is implied in Aristotle’s theory. The ancient atomic theory was proposed in the 5th century bce by the Greek philosophers Leucippus and Democritus and was revived in the 1st century bce by the Roman philosopher and poet Lucretius. He greatly slowed down the evolution of the atomic theory by.

One only has to look at the periodic table to see this is the case. His ideas were not contradicted (and agreed with) by anyone until the 17th century. Aristotle believed that all matter was made up either of one of the elements of water air earth and fire or combinations of these four elements, with the exception of stars and planets which were made of aether.Īristotle’s theory of matter has been proven wrong. He believed that there were only five elements: air which was light, earth which was cool and heavy, water which was wet, fire which was hot, and Aether which he viewed as a divine substance which made up the stars and planets. Many state that Aristotle knew everything that was known at the time when he was alive.Ĭoncerning matter, Aristotle had a view that was rather foreign to the modern concept. He did understand much on the world around him. Atomism in Classical Indian Philosophy 1.1 Nyya-Vaieika atomism 1.2 Buddhist atomist theories 1.3 Jaina atomism 2. Aristotle was taught by Plato and also taught the renowned Alexander the Great, who was also influenced by his teacher’s scientific knowledge so much so that he insured experts including scientists were present when he conquered so that they could make new discoveries along the way. He wrote of and studied many topics such as ethics, theater, metaphysics, zoology, poetry, and music. Sometime around 340 BCE: Aristotle describes his idea of five elements of Matter. The atom is proposed Aristotle and Plato, two of the best-known philosophers of Ancient Greece, rejected the theories of Democritus.

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