Parmenides: Flux And The Unity Of The Unity Of Opposites

Many of our worldly concept’s today were not recently discovered. Many of the past philosopher’s, dating back to 500 BCE, predicted the things we know today. Just like people today, many philosopher’s had their difference of opinion. However, unlike today’s society, these philosophers did not have the resources to prove their theories. Heraclitus and Parmenides, both pre-Socratic philosophers, are known for their concepts and philosophical principles. These two, Greek philosophers’ had a similar concept, with contradicting supporting details, when explaining whether unity in opposition and flux or whether whatever unity is, is. Heraclitus had two major philosophical principles: Flux and the Unity of Opposites. Heraclitus states, “No man ever …show more content…
Heraclitus believed that fire was the root of everything, because fire is always changing and this “one thing” was constantly changing as well. Heraclitus was an advocate for change, believing that everything is in flux, or constantly in motion. For example, the cycle of life. Heraclitus believed that as person carries on with their life, contributing to the Earth, but eventually dies. When this person dies, their ashes are then distributed back to the Earth to contribute to the growth of new plant life, animal life, etc. However, Parmenides was certain that Heraclitus’ theory about fire was incorrect, as well as impossible. Parmenides believed that “…whatever is, is and cannot ever not be…”, meaning that this “one thing” exists for it’s eternity while never changing nor developing. Parmenides supported his argument when explaining that just because something was in one place for one minute and in another place for another minute doesn’t mean that anything has moved. The example Parmenides used is ironic because it explains the basic idea for the conservation of mass and energy, which were not studied nor discovered until years