Preston 1

Hannah Preston
Professor Byrne
HUM 213
21 December 2016
Integrated Research Paper
There is no denying the influence ancient Greeks have had within the fields of the arts
and sciences. However, before their groundbreaking discoveries surfaced, many Greeks were set
in their supernatural belief, and may have been resistant to any change; or simply afraid of the
unknown. During the pre-Socratic era, philosophers like Leucippus of Miletus, made discoveries
that were not put into use until centuries after. What would be of arts and sciences in the 21st
century, if theories initially discovered in ancient Greek times were applied during the sixth
centuryinstead of waiting another eighteen centuries to become verified?
Due to the inspiration from Homers Iliad and Odyssey, Greeks began their supernatural
belief during the Heroic Age, within the years 1200-750 B.C. These poems became the
national poems of ancient Greece (Fiero 80-81); providing tales of the Trojan War led by
characters such as Achilles and Odysseuslater becoming the stepping-stone toward Greek
mythology. Including references to the god of thunder: Thick-and-fast as the snow comes
swirling down from Zeus, frozen sharp when the North Wind born in heaven blasts on (Iliad,
Book 18, 112-113). Despite the supernatural belief embedded within Greek culture, Originating
in the cultures of Crete and Mycenae[many] Greek myths look back to the common pool of
legends and tales that traveled throughout the Mediterranean and the Near East, a group of
philosophers decided to [introduce] methods of intellectual inquiry that combined careful

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observation, systematic analysis, and the exercise of pure reason (Fiero 100). This particular
time in Greek history occurred during the sixth century, and became known as the Speculative
Leap.
With previous belief in the destructive power of divine anger, communicated through
earthquakes and floods, philosophers countered that argument with the idea that it was simply
natural occurrences. Challenging all prevailing myths, the Greek philosophers made the
speculative leap from supernatural to natural explanations of the unknown (Fiero100).
Questions arose of what the universe was composed of, how things came into existence, and
what permanent substance lies behind the world of appearance. Due to a particular era of Greek
thinking, these questions were starting to become answered during a period known as the preSocratic era.
Many philosophers made their debut during this time, and their findings made a particular
difference in what is known within the field of science and mathematics today. Beginning with
Thales who has been credited to be historys first philosopher, Greeks, in classical times, went
through a period of outstanding creativitythe main divisions such as those between matter
physical and meta physical. They explored the very intellectual means by which they arrived at
conclusions, such as inductive versus deductive reasoning[and] they were not done yet, for
they had started another line of argument: Whether matter was continuous or discrete (198
Kirton); or in other words, if matter was able to be infinitely split, or reached a point of
impossible division.
Other than Thales and Pythagoras, Leucippus of Miletus was one of the many noteworthy
philosophers during the Speculative Leap. Leucippus has been credited for the initial beginnings

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of the atomthe single discovery that would later uproot the Greeks philosophy of infinitely
divisible matter. Leucippus made the assumption that physical reality consisted of minute,
invisible particles that moved ceaselessly in the void (Fiero 100), of which he called atomos
Greek word for indivisible. Unfortunately, due to limited resources, this theory was defined as
brilliantly clever innovative guessing for it had failed to carry the bulk of scholarly opinion in
its age; both those formidable intellects, Plato and Aristotle, did not accept its reasoning (199
Kirton). Due to its lack of evidence at the time, and no motivation presented by others to go
further with the theory, Leucippus work was not applied during the ancient Greek times.
However, it was later verified by John Dalton nearly 2,000 years later.
What makes Leucippus stand out from those of his time is not only shown through his
discoveries, but simply the way he viewed the world around him. Within the midst of Greek
mythology, no questions were being asked, but plainly believing in the invisible influence made
by the supernatural. Instead, Leucippus thought that the truth lay in appearancecontradictory
and infinite, [thus] the shapes of the atoms infinite (229, The First Philosophers). Challenging
what had been blindly following for centuries, Leucippus opened questions towards what is
and what is not.
All theories begin with a question, and may not come full-circle in conclusions
immediately, however it through further questioning and research that discovery can be made.
Though there was little concrete evidence to support Leucippus initial theory, why was it so
quickly debunked by great Greek thinkers? Is it possible they were resistant to change or was
Leucippus simply too far ahead of his time?

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It would go against the Greek philosophers overall goal to assume they were resistant to
change. It was through their discoveries that change was even able to occur in the first place.
Nonetheless, it can be easily concluded that Leucippus was ahead of his time, due to the fact that
his theory was later verified, and has become the basis of scientific knowledge. However, before
the verification of the existence of the atom, the debate on the existence of atomic particles had
its origins long before the invention of present-day scientific methods (Windelshpecht, 11).
During the era of Greek thinking, it was believed the earth was in the center of the universe, and
all things were comprised of four major elements: earth, fire, water, and air.
However, it was at the turn of the 17th century that Greek explanations were becoming
questioned. [Robert] Boyle made two major advances that challenged Aristotles philosophy
Boyle simplified the definition of an element to indicate any matter that may not be broken up
into smaller units of matter. The atom once again became the smallest of the unitsBoyle
demonstrated the existence of atoms and the surrounding voids through his experiments with air
pressure (Windelspecht, 12). Ironically, the one who disapproved of Leucippus hypothesis,
later became the one to be debunked.
Though Leucippus findings did not result in the actual discovery of the atom, it was
through the steps Leucippus took became the stepping stones for other advancements within
science. During the early 1800s, Dalton proposed the atomic theory, which catapulted scientific
discoveries for centuries to come. Once this theory was introduced, things started to move more
rapidly[However,] Daltons model did not survive for long (only 90 years), and it was soon
replaced[by] British scientist named J.J Thomson (Atomic Theory). Thomsons work led to

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the discovery of small particles within the atomnow called electrons. The discovery of the
electron suggested there was more to learn about atoms. Thomsons work revealed that electrons
are negatively charged but he knew that atoms themselves had no overall charge. He reasoned
they must contain mysterious positively charged particles to cancel out the negatively charged
electrons (BBC, Baranjuk). Since 1897, nucleus and orbitals of the atom have since been
discovered, leading to further knowledge within what matter is composed of. On the other hand,
however, since the discovery and verification of the atom, what did Leucippus initial findings
influence in future generations?
Though the atomic theory is continuing to be altered and experimented on, it is through
Leucippus initial hypothesis, and Daltons verification, that discoveries like the lightbulb, XRay, and atomic bomb were able to come about. The lightbulb for example, is able to glow
because of the flow of electrons, (BBC, Baranjuk) and through this discovery, it has completely
changed the way the world has operated itself. More than 150 years ago, inventors began
working on a bright idea that would have a dramatic impact on how we use energy in our homes
and offices. This invention changed the way we design buildings, increased the length of the
average workday and jumpstarted new businesses. It also led to new energy breakthroughs -from power plants and electric transmission lines to home appliances and electric motors
(Energy.gov).
It cannot be for certain if Leucippus knew exactly how much his hypothesis may have
had on the world. In fact, how could anyone have known the impact the discovery of such a tiny
particle would have on the world, and generations to come. One man, with one question, was
able to catapult multiple philosophers and scientists into a different way of thinking. Not only

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did this discovery improve everyday life, but changed the way wars were fought, and how bodies
were healed. Though Leucippus did not bring his ideas full-circle, it can definitely be credited to
him for launching sciences in a totally different location.
However, with all the information that has been discovered to this day, human nature is
only at the tip of the quite large iceberg of knowledge. When Greek philosophers were in the
midst of their philosophical discoveries, belief that the peak of their knowledge had been reached
may have begun to circulate. Early in history Aristotle believed the earth was at the center of the
universe, and Leucippus believed that the atom was the smallest unit present on this earth.
Nonetheless, as technology and resources became more advanced, so did knowledge, and
theories once praised by great Greek thinkers, turn out to be completely false. Earth is not in the
center of the universe, but in fact is a very small, and almost inadequate piece of the very large
puzzle that encompasses our universe. Leucippus theories have also been debunked. Even
though the term atom derived from the Greek word for indivisible, particles within the atom
were later discovered; thus disproving the once believed theory.
While looking back into the future, it can be concluded that humans easily believe that
they are in possession of all possible knowledge. Even in the 21st century, many believe the peak
of technological discovery has been reached, but if lessons within history are put into account,
the peak of knowledge can never be reached. Discoveries are always able to be made, whether it
happens within the field of sciences, mathematics, or simply making everyday life better. If
humans became an all-knowing species they commonly claim to be, the deity title would be
assumed. Taken from a theological standpoint, it is impossible for humans to assume the role of
God; so until the day comes when God joins his creation, discoveries will forever be made, and

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knowledge will never make its peak.

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Works Cited:
Fiero, Gloria K. The Humanistic Tradition. Dubuque, IA: WCB Brown & Benchmark, 1992.
Print.
Kirton, M.J. "Adaption-innovation." Google Books. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, n.d.
Web. 21 Dec. 2016.
Waterfield, Robin. The First Philosophers: The Presocratics and Sophists. Oxford: Oxford UP,
2000. Print.
Windelspecht, Michael. Groundbreaking Scientific Experiments, Inventions, and Discoveries of
the 17th Century. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2002. Print.
"Atomic Theory." AccessScience (n.d.): n. pag. The Atomic Theory. Web. 21 Dec. 2016.
Baraniuk 20 November 2015, Chris. "How Do We Know That Things Are Really Made of
Atoms?" BBC. BBC - Earth, 20 Nov. 2015. Web. 21 Dec. 2016.
"The History of the Light Bulb." Energy.gov. N.p., 23 Nov. 2013. Web. 21 Dec. 2016.