Heraclitus Flashcards
What is the title of Heraclitus’ most famous work?
On Nature, although it is now lost and we only have fragments.
What was unique about Heraclitus’ writing style?
His philosophy was expressed in short, enigmatic one-liners or riddles, often using wordplay.
What does logos mean in Heraclitus’ philosophy?
Logos refers to ‘word,’ ‘reason,’ or ‘account’ but also implies a deeper, universal principle that governs the cosmos.
What is Heraclitus’ most famous quote about change?
‘You can’t step into the same river twice.’
What did Heraclitus mean by ‘the road up and down is one and the same’?
It illustrates the unity of opposites—what seems to be two things is actually the same thing viewed from different perspectives.
What is the central concept of Heraclitus’ philosophy?
The unity of opposites: things are both unified and divided at the same time.
What was Heraclitus’ view on the nature of change?
He believed that everything is in a constant state of change, but this change happens in a purposeful, orderly way.
What is Heraclitus’ idea of the ‘unity of opposites’?
It means that seemingly opposing forces are actually interconnected and depend on each other for balance.
How did Heraclitus view the relationship between fish and sea water?
Sea water is healthy for fish but poisonous for humans, illustrating the concept that the same thing can have opposite effects depending on perspective.
What does the quote ‘Hearing not me, but the logos, it is wise to agree that all things are one’ suggest?
It emphasizes that truth is not simply what Heraclitus says but what the logos reveals, pointing to the unity of all things.
How did Heraclitus use wordplay in his writing?
He often used puns, such as ‘The bow: its name is life, its work is death,’ based on the Greek word bios for life.
What was Heraclitus’ attitude toward human perception?
He believed that humans are often unaware of the logos and fail to see the deeper unity of opposites in nature.
What does Heraclitus mean by saying ‘Donkeys prefer garbage to gold’?
It shows that value is subjective—what is valuable to one being might be worthless to another, depending on perspective.
What is the philosophical importance of Heraclitus’ idea of ‘flux’?
It suggests that change is constant and fundamental to existence, but it is not random; it follows an underlying principle or logos.
What did Heraclitus believe about the relationship between stability and change?
He argued that stability is found within change itself—the cosmos is unified through ongoing transformation.
What was the role of logos in Heraclitus’ philosophy?
Logos is the governing principle that explains the unity and order behind the constant change and opposition in the universe.
How did Heraclitus influence later philosophers like Nietzsche?
Heraclitus’ ideas of change, flux, and the unity of opposites influenced existentialist thinkers like Nietzsche.
What is the meaning of the phrase ‘Hearing the logos’ in Heraclitus’ work?
It refers to understanding the deeper, universal truth behind appearances and the interconnectedness of all things.
How did Heraclitus view the relationship between humans and the cosmos?
Humans, by failing to understand the logos, miss the interconnected unity of all things, which governs everything in nature.
What is Heraclitus’ idea about the nature of opposites?
He believed that opposites are not separate but are interdependent, and their tension creates the balance of the universe.
How does Heraclitus’ philosophy differ from Parmenides’?
While Parmenides believed in a singular, unchanging reality, Heraclitus argued that unity is found within change and opposition.
What is the significance of the phrase ‘all things are one’ in Heraclitus’ thought?
It underscores that, despite appearances of diversity, all things are ultimately connected through the same underlying logos.
