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| influences = | influenced = }} Democritus (; (ギリシア語:Δημόκριτος) ''Dēmókritos'', meaning "chosen of the people"; ) was an influential Ancient Greek pre-Socratic philosopher primarily remembered today for his formulation of an atomic theory of the universe.〔Barnes (1987).〕 Democritus was born in Abdera, Thrace〔Russell, pp. 64–65.〕 around 460 BC, although, some thought it was 490 BC. His exact contributions are difficult to disentangle from those of his mentor Leucippus, as they are often mentioned together in texts. Their speculation on atoms, taken from Leucippus, bears a passing and partial resemblance to the nineteenth-century understanding of atomic structure that has led some to regard Democritus as more of a scientist than other Greek philosophers; however, their ideas rested on very different bases.〔Stephen Toulmin and June Goodfield, ''The Architecture of Matter'' (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1962), 56.〕 Largely ignored in ancient Athens, Democritus was nevertheless well known to his fellow northern-born philosopher Aristotle. Plato is said to have disliked him so much that he wished all his books burned.〔Diogenes Laërtius, ''Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers'', ix. 40: "Aristoxenus in his ''Historical Notes'' affirms that Plato wished to burn all the writings of Democritus that he could collect".〕 Many consider Democritus to be the "father of modern science".〔Pamela Gossin, ''Encyclopedia of Literature and Science'', 2002.〕 ==Life== Democritus was born in the city of Abdera in Thrace, an Ionian colony of Teos,〔Aristotle, ''De Coel.'' iii.4, ''Meteor.'' ii.7〕 although some called him a Milesian.〔Diogenes Laërtius, ix. 34, etc.〕 He was born in the 80th Olympiad (460–457 BC) according to Apollodorus of Athens,〔 and although Thrasyllus placed his birth in 470 BC,〔Diogenes Laërtius, ix. 41.〕 the later date is probably more likely.〔"The latter date (BC ) is perhaps somewhat preferable, especially given the evident temptation to classify Democritus as older than Socrates on generic grounds, i.e. that Democritus was the last 'scientific' philosopher, Socrates the first 'ethical' one." Cynthia Farrar, 1989, The Origins of Democratic Thinking: The Invention of Politics in Classical Athens, page 195. Cambridge University Press〕 John Burnet has argued that the date of 460 is "too early" since, according to Diogenes Laërtius ix.41, Democritus said that he was a "young man (''neos'')" during Anaxagoras' old age (circa 440–428).〔John Burnet (1955). ''Greek Philosophy: Thales to Plato'', London: Macmillan, p. 194.〕 It was said that Democritus' father was from a noble family and so wealthy that he received Xerxes on his march through Abdera. Democritus spent the inheritance which his father left him on travels into distant countries, to satisfy his thirst for knowledge. He traveled to Asia, and was even said to have reached India and Ethiopia.〔Cicero, ''de Finibus'', v.19; Strabo, xvi.〕 It is known that he wrote on Babylon and Meroe; he visited Egypt, and Diodorus Siculus states that he lived there for five years.〔Diodorus, i.98.〕 He himself declared〔Clement of Alexandria, ''Stromata'', i.〕 that among his contemporaries none had made greater journeys, seen more countries, and met more scholars than himself. He particularly mentions the Egyptian mathematicians, whose knowledge he praises. Theophrastus, too, spoke of him as a man who had seen many countries.〔Aelian, ''Varia Historia'', iv. 20; Diogenes Laërtius, ix. 35.〕 During his travels, according to Diogenes Laërtius, he became acquainted with the Chaldean magi. "Ostanes", one of the magi accompanying Xerxes, was also said to have taught him.〔Tatian, ''Orat. cont. Graec.'' 17. "However, this Democritus, whom Tatian identified with the philosopher, was a certain Bolus of Mendes who, under the name of Democritus, wrote a book on sympathies and antipathies" – Owsei Temkin (1991), ''Hippocrates in a World of Pagans and Christians'', p. 120. JHU Press.〕 After returning to his native land he occupied himself with natural philosophy. He traveled throughout Greece to acquire a better knowledge of its cultures. He mentions many Greek philosophers in his writings, and his wealth enabled him to purchase their writings. Leucippus, the founder of atomism, was the greatest influence upon him. He also praises Anaxagoras.〔Diogenes Laërtius, ii.14; Sextus vii.140.〕 Diogenes Laertius says that he was friends with Hippocrates.〔Diogenes Laërtius, ix.42.〕 He may have been acquainted with Socrates, but Plato does not mention him and Democritus himself is quoted as saying, "I came to Athens and no one knew me."〔Diogenes Laertius 9.36 and Cicero ''Tusculanae Quaestiones'' 5.36.104, cited in p. 349 n. 2 of W. K. C. Guthrie (1965), ''A History of Greek Philosophy'', vol. 2, Cambridge.〕 Aristotle placed him among the pre-Socratic natural philosophers.〔Aristotle, ''Metaph.'' xiii.4; ''Phys.'' ii.2, ''de Partib. Anim.'' i.1〕 The many anecdotes about Democritus, especially in Diogenes Laërtius, attest to his disinterest, modesty, and simplicity, and show that he lived exclusively for his studies. One story has him deliberately blinding himself in order to be less disturbed in his pursuits;〔Cicero, ''de Finibus'' v.29; Aulus Gellius, x.17; Diogenes Laërtius, ix.36; Cicero, ''Tusculanae Quaestiones'' v.39.〕 it may well be true that he lost his sight in old age. He was cheerful, and was always ready to see the comical side of life, which later writers took to mean that he always laughed at the foolishness of people.〔Seneca, ''de Ira'', ii.10; Aelian, ''Varia Historia'', iv.20.〕 He was highly esteemed by his fellow citizens, because as Diogenes Laërtius says, "he had foretold them some things which events proved to be true," which may refer to his knowledge of natural phenomena. According to Diodorus Siculus,〔Diodorus, xiv.11.5.〕 Democritus died at the age of 90, which would put his death around 370 BC, but other writers have him living to 104,〔Lucian, ''Macrobii'' 18〕 or even 109.〔Hipparchus ap. Diogenes Laërtius, ix.43.〕 Marcus Aurelius, in his book ''Meditations'', says that Democritus was eaten by lice or vermin,〔"Meditations", Book III, #2.〕 although in the same passage he writes that "other lice killed Socrates", suggesting this might be metaphorical. Popularly known as the Laughing Philosopher (for laughing at human follies), the terms ''Abderitan laughter'', which means scoffing, incessant laughter, and Abderite, which means a scoffer, are derived from Democritus. To his fellow citizens he was also known as "The Mocker". 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Democritus」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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