Empedocles’ Big Break

Pre-Socratic Cosmology and The Big Bounce

Authors

  • David Preston Royal Holloway, University of London

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14232/suc.2020.1.11-28

Keywords:

Empedocles, Pre-Socratic cosmology, Big Bounce, Ancient Science

Abstract

This paper endeavours to demonstrate that certain strands of ancient and modern cosmological thought are not as dissimilar as one might initially believe. In doing so, it will examine two accounts of the fundamental nature and origin of the universe – one put forward in the 5th century BCE by the Pre-Socratic Empedocles, and one favoured by a faction of 21st Century CE physical cosmologists. After said parallels are highlighted, there will be some speculation on how Empedocles may have arrived at such conclusions two and a half millennia ago, followed by a defence of him being classified only as an ancient poet.

Author Biography

David Preston, Royal Holloway, University of London

David Preston PhD is a Teaching Fellow in Philosophy at Royal Holloway, University of London. A recovering classicist, his primary interests are Ancient Philosophy and Aesthetics. He also serves as the Deputy Director for the UCL London Summer School in Ancient Philosophy. Outside of academia, he enjoys Russian Literature and good whiskey, often at the same time. You can email him to chat about any of the above at: Dave.Preston@rhul.ac.uk.

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Published

2021-06-15

How to Cite

Preston, D. (2021). Empedocles’ Big Break: Pre-Socratic Cosmology and The Big Bounce. Sapiens Ubique Civis, 1, 11–28. https://doi.org/10.14232/suc.2020.1.11-28

Issue

Vol. 1 (2020): Sapiens ubique civis I

Section

Articles