Atoms Quote by Democritus
“According to convention there is a sweet and a bitter, a hot and a cold, and according to convention, there is an order. In truth, there are atoms and a void.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: On the Nature of Things, Democritus, c. 400 BC
Conventional opposites are human constructs; reality consists of atoms and empty space.
In simple terms: Reality is atoms and void, not our categories.
Key Takeaway
Question assumed binaries.
Themes
philosophy
science
reality
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- scientific inquiry
- critical thinking
- education
- art criticism
Key Concepts
atomism
metaphysics
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you see any useful opposites?
- How does this view affect moral judgments?
A Different Perspective
Human perception still relies on categories for communication.
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