Heraclites and Parmenides

Teachings of Heraclites and Parmenides regarding change and permanence in the cosmos

Introduction

Philosophy is commonly defined as the search for the truth about the origins and nature of the universe, the world and humanity. Although there are disagreements among critics about the details, it is generally accepted that this research began in the Greek world during the sixth century BC Even before this; however, in the Theogony (725 BC), in which the poet Hesiod tells the myths of gods, the origins and the order of the universe are subjects of speculation. A characteristic of early Greek philosophy, it has begun to focus less on solutions to problems mythological hand, matters considered by Hesiod were rethought in terms of nature versus mythology.

The reading was mainly about the ideas of the pre- Socratic philosophers.(Freeman 1996)They asked and answered the first questions dealing with philosophy and the nature of the world. The questions that concerned the philosophers the most were “Out of what substance is the world made?” and “Is there something permanent underlying this world of change?” A philosopher named Heraclitus from Ephesus in Asia Minor had his own ideas about these questions. Heraclitus said that fire is the matter that holds everything together. He believed that fire is always transforming, and thus it's in an uninterrupted state of change. Heraclitus ideas were contradictory to the Milesians. He alleged that fire is an object or a material thing. He said it's a unity, not the unity of matter of basic change, but the unison of pattern. Heraclitus thought that everything in nature frequently changes and nothing is ever vanished in nature. He believed that nothing is everlasting apart from change. Heraclitus assumed all things are in a state of “flux.” That means everything is always changing and nothing is long lasting. ...