atomism

Atomism () is a natural philosophy proposing that the physical universe is composed of fundamental indivisible components known as atoms.

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Atomism is the idea that everything in the physical universe is made up of tiny, indivisible building blocks called atoms. This concept matters because it provides a foundational framework for understanding how matter works and has been central to the development of modern science.

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Article

46 sections

Contents

Reductionism
Antiquity
Greek atomism
Democritus
Unit-point atomism
Geometry and atoms
Rejection in Aristotelianism
Epicurus
Indian atomism {{anchor|India}}
Late Roman Republic
Lucretius revives Epicurus
"Atoms" and "vacuum" vs. religion
Roman Empire
Galen
Middle Ages
Medieval Hinduism
Medieval Buddhism
Medieval Islam
Mu'tazilite atomism
Al-Ghazali and Asharite atomism
Averroes rejects atomism
Medieval Christendom
Scholasticism
Nicholas of Autrecourt
Atomist renaissance
17th century
Northumberland circle
Galileo Galilei
Perceived vs. real properties
René Descartes
Pierre Gassendi
Johann Chrysostom Magnenus
Atomism and corpuscularianism
Mikhail Lomonosov
Modern atomic theory
Late 18th century
19th century
John Dalton
Atomic theory debate
20th century
Experimental verification
See also
References
Citations
References
External links

Atomism () is a natural philosophy proposing that the physical universe is composed of fundamental indivisible components known as atoms.

References to the concept of atomism and its atoms appeared in both ancient Greek and ancient Indian philosophical traditions. The early concept of atomism can be traced back to ancient Greece. Leucippus is the earliest figure whose commitment to Greek atomism is well attested and is usually credited with inventing atomism. He and other ancient Greek atomists theorized that nature consists of two fundamental principles: atom and void. Clusters of different shapes, arrangements, and positions give rise to the various macroscopic substances in the world.