Heraclitus

(c. 535 — 475 B.C.)

Heraclitus, a pre-Socratic philosopher, has an influence that can be traced not only through Plato and Aristotle but also through more modern philosophers like Hegel and Whitehead. Though Heraclitus made a number of significant philosophical contributions, the only one that first-year philosophy students usually remember is his metaphysical account for change: everything is fire.

Heraclitus very convincingly argued for this thesis by proving to onlookers (but most often to his enemies) that everything (houses, pets, loved ones, flora, etc.) can be set on fire. What better way to demonstrate the close relationship between the world and fire than by burning everything to the ground?

As a by-product of this theory, Heraclitus thought that fire resistant materials such as water, some metals, and ashes, were instances of anti-matter.

Some famous followers (and practitioners) of Heraclitus’ metaphysics are Nero, Mount Vesuvius, and Mrs. O’Leary’s cow.

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Written By: Ian Church

Created: 21st February, 2008 | Last Updated: —

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(Image of Heraclitus is public domain.)

Photograph

A photo of Heraclitus

Heraclitus liked to cry over a globe every now and then.

Stats

  • Main Contributions:

    On Nature

  • Quotation:

    “This world, which is the same for all, no one of gods or men has made. But it always was and will be: an ever-living fire, with measures of it kindling, and measures going out.”

  • Key Areas:

    General, Political Philosophy, Metaphysics

  • Annoying Habits:

    Perpetually smelling like smoke, taking friendly bonfires too far.

  • Nicknames:

    Sparky, The Weeping Philosopher

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  • Fame: 3
  • Logic: 3
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