The development of Atomic Theory

1999 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 10610007
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Philosophy
• Research Institution: Nagoya Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: SEGUCHI Masahisa Nagoya Institute of Technology, Associate Professor, 工学部, 助教授 (40262943)
• Project Period (FY): 1999 – 2000
• Keywords: atom / atomism / Philoponus / Aristotle / indivisibility / theory of life / empty space / Epicurus

Research Abstract

In the development of the atomic theory of life, ancient atomists request a nameless atom the extraordinary capacity and power that controls other specified atoms to form the soul. I diagnose that demand deviates essential description that atomists give to the atoms and constitutes major difficulties in the atomic explanation of life. In this research I argue that these problems are closely related the puzzles of atomic independence and indivisibility. Atoms do not get absorbed into larger mass of matter because they can be separated by way of the empty space between them. If we take this in strict sense, any atom can not collide with one another directly. If they could touch directly, they should have no reason to separate again for there is no empty space between them. This is serious flaw in the atomic theory, which Philoponus seems to realize. He suggests atomic collison occurs indirectly, and he speaks about atomic touch in the meaning of approximation. It is a striking fact that the post-Renaissance atomic theories except Newton's case ignore the idea of Philoponus and tend to deny the possibility of action at a distance. I conclude that atomism lacks consistent theory of atomic independence and interaction and this fact inevitably causes the difficulties in the atomic theory of life.