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THE QUALITATIVE STATUS OF THE ONKOI IN ASCLEPIADES' THEORY OF MATTER
1University College London.
Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy
|November 16, 2010
Summary
Asclepiades of Bithynia
Area of Science:
- Ancient Philosophy and Medicine
- History of Science
- Physics and Metaphysics
Background:
- Asclepiades of Bithynia's medical and philosophical system remains controversial, particularly his theory of anarmoi onkoi.
- Scholarly debate often centers on Asclepiades' intellectual debts to ancient atomism, especially Epicureanism.
- Previous scholarship has presented conflicting views on the extent of Epicurean influence on Asclepiades' physical theory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the complex relationship between Epicurus and Asclepiades by examining Asclepiades' theory of matter.
- To determine Asclepiades' position on the qualitative status of his onkoi and compare it to Epicurus' atoms.
- To investigate shared fundamental premises in the physics of Asclepiades and Epicurus.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of four key passages from Caelius Aurelianus, Galen, Sextus Empiricus, and Calcidius concerning Asclepiades' theory.
- Comparative analysis of Asclepiades' doctrine on the qualities of his elements with Epicurus' atomic theory.
- Examination of evidence suggesting Asclepiades' critical engagement with Epicurus' physical doctrines.
Main Results:
- Asclepiades' position on the qualitative status of his onkoi is substantially similar in detail to Epicurus' view on atoms.
- Identifiable similarities in their doctrines suggest shared fundamental premises in their respective physics.
- Evidence indicates Asclepiades critically reacted to specific aspects of Epicurus' physical doctrine.
Conclusions:
- Despite parallels, Asclepiades cannot be classified as an Epicurean physician, demonstrating independent thought.
- The similarities in their elemental theories suggest a complex, non-superficial relationship rooted in shared physical premises.
- Asclepiades' system, while influenced by atomism, presents unique elements and a critical stance towards Epicurean physics.
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