Continuity vs Atomism in Ancient Physics
with Chiara Martini
Can matter be divided ad infinitum, or is it composed of indivisible chunks? What about time and motion: are they infinitely divisible, or are there time-atoms? And what is the relation between these physical magnitudes? These are fundamental questions that shape our metaphysical and scientific understanding of the world: they have been at the centre stage of the history of thought, and have always represented one of the most fertile ground of interaction between physics, mathematics, and philosophy. The polarity between theories of continuity and atomism runs through the history of these disciplines, and offers a privileged way into discussing their relationship and interconnections.
This webinar will focus on the initial form that this debate has taken in Ancient Greek philosophy, and which shaped for millennia much of the discussion in Western physics and philosophy. In particular, we will focus on the debate between the Ancient Atomists and Aristotle .