Heraclitus (c. 535–475 BCE) Flashcards
Who was Heraclitus?
A pre-Socratic Greek philosopher known for his doctrine of change and the concept of Logos.
Where was Heraclitus born?
Ephesus, a Greek city in modern-day Turkey.
What is the famous saying by Heraclitus about change?
You cannot step into the same river twice.
What concept did Heraclitus introduce to explain the universe’s rational principle?
Logos.
What is Heraclitus’s doctrine of flux?
The idea that everything in the universe is in a state of constant change.
How did Heraclitus view conflict and opposites?
He believed that conflict between opposites is necessary for harmony and change.
Which philosophical group later adopted Heraclitus’s concept of Logos?
The Stoics.
What time period did Heraclitus live in?
Around 535–475 BCE.
What nickname is Heraclitus known by?
The Weeping Philosopher or the Obscure Philosopher.
What was the political and intellectual environment like during Heraclitus’s time?
Ancient Greece was experiencing political turmoil and the rise of rational philosophy in Ionian city-states.
What was Heraclitus’s attitude toward other philosophers and the general public?
He had a disdain for other philosophers and the masses, preferring isolation.
Which metaphor did Heraclitus use to explain the constant nature of change?
The metaphor of the river, where the water is always flowing and the river is never the same.
How did Heraclitus’s ideas influence later thinkers?
His ideas influenced Plato, Aristotle, and especially the Stoics, laying the groundwork for dialectical reasoning.
What famous philosophical idea did Heraclitus challenge with his concept of flux?
The idea that reality is static or unchanging.
How is Heraclitus remembered today?
As a foundational figure in Western philosophy, known for his doctrine of change and the concept of Logos.
