ATOMISM Meaning and
Definition
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Atomism is a philosophical theory that posits the existence of indivisible and indestructible units of matter known as atoms, which are the fundamental building blocks of all things in the universe. The theory dates back to ancient Greece and was most notably developed by the Greek philosopher Democritus and later refined by other philosophers such as Leucippus and Epicurus.
According to atomism, all matter consists of a combination of atoms that differ in size, shape, and arrangement. These atoms are in constant motion, colliding and combining with each other to form all physical substances and entities. Atomism suggests that there is a finite number of different types of atoms, each possessing unique properties that determine their behavior and interactions.
The key principles of atomism include the ideas that atoms are imperceptible to the senses, they are eternal and unchangeable, and they exist in a void with no intervening space. This void allows for the movement of atoms and the possibility of a vacuum.
Atomism challenges the prevailing view at its time, which held that all matter was continuous and infinitely divisible. It provides a foundation for understanding the composition of matter and the behavior of physical phenomena. Atomism has also influenced various scientific disciplines, most notably chemistry and physics, where it forms the basis of atomic theory and the understanding of chemical bonding, particle interactions, and the structure of matter.
In summary, atomism is a philosophical theory that proposes the existence of indivisible and eternal units of matter called atoms, which combine to form all substances and entities in the universe. It has had a lasting impact on science and our understanding of the physical world.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for ATOMISM
Etymology of ATOMISM
The word "Atomism" is derived from the ancient Greek word "atomos" (ἄτομος), meaning "indivisible" or "uncuttable". It was coined by the ancient Greek philosopher Democritus, who proposed the atomic theory in the 5th century BCE. Democritus believed that all matter consisted of tiny, indivisible particles called "atoms" that formed the building blocks of the universe. The term "Atomism" came to represent this philosophical and scientific theory about the nature of matter.
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