Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 3 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"Plutarch
Philosophy
Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 3 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"
Plutarch
Classical literature; Essays; Ethics; Philosophy
Anaxagoras the Clazomenian asserted Homoeomeries (or parts similar or
homogeneous) to be the original cause of all beings; it seemed to him
impossible that any thing could arise of nothing or be resolved into
nothing. Let us therefore instance in nourishment, which appears simple
and uniform, such as bread which we owe to Ceres, and water which we
drink. Of this very nutriment, our hair, our veins, our arteries,
nerves, bones, and all our other parts are nourished. These things
thus being performed, it must be granted that the nourishment which
is received by us contains all those things by which these parts of
us are increased. In it there are those particles which are producers
of blood, bones, nerves, and all other parts; which particles (as he
thought) reason discovers for us. For it is not necessary that we
should reduce all things under the objects of sense; for bread and
water are fitted to the senses, yet in them there are those particles
latent which are discoverable only by reason. It being therefore
evident that there are particles in the nourishment similar to what is
produced thereby, he terms these homogeneous parts, averring that they
are the principles of beings. Matter is according to him these similar
parts, and the efficient cause is a Mind, which orders all things
that have an existence. Thus he begins his discourse: “All things
were confused one among another; but Mind divided and reduced them to
order.” In this he is to be commended, that he yokes together matter
and an intellectual agent.
Archelaus the son of Apollodorus, the Athenian, pronounceth, that the
principles of all things have their original from an infinite air
rarefied or condensed. Air rarefied is fire, condensed is water.
These philosophers, the followers of Thales, succeeding one another,
made up that sect which takes to itself the denomination of the Ionic.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account