| Abstrakt: |
This paper examines Aristotle‟s criticism of the Presocratic atomistic theories of physical continuity. In order to assess Aristotle‟s account of these theories, I first supply a description of Leucippus‟ and Democritus‟ atomism, as their doctrines can be reconstructed from textual fragments. Next, I follow modern exegesis in linking the pluralistic physics of the atomists with the core of issues developed in the Eleatic school. I will analyse Zeno‟s paradoxes as presented by Aristotle and I will consider Aristotle‟s own arguments against atomism (Physics VI), which provided a blueprint for most of the antiatomistic critiques in pre-modern times and represented a challenge for any subsequent defender of atomism. Discussing Pyle‟s, Furley‟s, and Vlastos‟ accounts of these arguments, I intend to clarify the philosophical implications of the paradoxes which arose from the first discussions on continuity in the history of philosophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
