171. We have seen (§§ 31, 122) that the school of Miletos did not come
to an end with Anaximenes, and it is a striking fact that the man who
gave the most complete answer to the question first asked by Thales was
a Milesian.[921] It is true that the very existence of Leukippos has
been called in question. Epicurus said there never was such a
philosopher, and the same thing has been maintained in quite recent
times.[922] On the other hand, Aristotle and Theophrastos certainly made
him the originator of the atomic theory, and it still seems possible to
show they were right. Incidentally we shall see how later writers came
to ignore him, and thus made possible the sally of Epicurus.
Footnote 921:
Theophrastos said he was an Eleate or a Milesian (R. P. 185), while
Diogenes (ix. 30) says he was an Eleate or, according to some, an
Abderite. These statements are exactly parallel to the discrepancies
about the native cities of the Pythagoreans already noted (Chap. VII.
p. 327, _n._ 763). Diogenes adds that, according to others, Leukippos
was a Melian, which is a common confusion. Aetios (i. 7. 1) calls
Diagoras of Melos a Milesian (cf. _Dox._ p. 14). Demokritos was called
by some a Milesian (R. P. 186) for the same reason that Leukippos is
called an Eleate. We may also compare the doubt as to whether
Herodotos called himself a Halikarnassian or a Thourian.
Footnote 922:
Diog. x. 13 (R. P. 185 b). The theory was revived by E. Rohde. For the
literature of the controversy, see R. P. 185 b. Diels’s refutation of
Rohde has convinced most competent judges. Brieger’s attempt to
unsettle the question again (_Hermes_, xxxvi. pp. 166 sqq.) is only
half-hearted, and quite unconvincing. As will be seen, however, I
agree with his main contention that atomism comes after the systems of
Empedokles and Anaxagoras.
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