Home > World of Earth Science > Empedocles of Acragas, (CA. 492 B.C.-CA. 432 B.C.)

Greek philosopher, poet, and politician

A philosopher, poet, politician, and visionary, Empedocles of Acragas developed radical new ideas about the nature of the universe. His philosophy of the four elements in the universe and the definition of matter as the various ratios of these elements foreshadowed later developments in atomic theory by philosophers such as Democritus of Abdera (c. 460–c. 370 B.C.).

Empedocles was born in Acragas, Sicily. His father, Meto, was wealthy, and his grandfather, also named Empedocles, was renowned for winning a horse race in the Olympia. Empedocles is believed to have travelled to Thourioi shortly after it was established approximately 444 B.C. Empedocles's keen intellect enabled him to combine talents in philosophy, natural history, poetry, and politics, and to achieve superstar status in his day. According to the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 B.C.), Empedocles was the inventor of rhetoric, a talent Empedocles often utilized as a statesman. He became popular among his fellow citizens through his support of democracy.

Empedocles's scientific inquiries usually included mysticism. However, his philosophies contained early insight into basic laws of physics, including atomic theory. Although sometimes labeled a Pythagorean, Empedocles followed the Greek philosopher Parmenides (c. 515–c. 445 B.C.) in the belief that matter (or, "what is") is indestructible. Empedocles claimed that matter was the only principle of all things and that four elements in the universe—air, fire, earth, and water—made up all things according to various ratios of these elements. Empedocles further stated that two forces, which he called love and hate, or eros and strife, controlled how the four elements come together or move apart. In addition to creating a philosophy that closely resembles modern atomic theory, Empedocles also studied the nature of change in the universe. Empedocles asserted that the cyclical nature of the universe introduces the possibility of reincarnation because nothing that comes into being can be destroyed but only transformed. Empedocles later wrote a poetic treatise On Nature containing the ideas of evolution, the circulation of the blood, and atmospheric pressure. He stated that the Moon shone by reflected light and estimated that the Moon was one-third the distance from the earth to the Sun.

The object of admiration, Empedocles, according to Aristotle, was offered a kingship but refused to be considered king. Nevertheless, some scholars claim that Empedocles assumed royal status and went so far as to claim himself a deity. Viewed by some as a demi-god and by others as a char-latan, Empedocles made important contributions to the philosophy of science in his day. Galen (c. 130–c. 200), the physician to several Roman emperors, also credits Empedocles with founding the Italian school of medicine. In addition, Empedocles was an accomplished poet. However, little remains of his writings except for segments of his poems On Nature (Peri Physeos) and Purifications (Katharmoi).

That Empedocles had a flair for self-promotion and public relations is evident in scholarly writings. Empedocles was reported to have leapt into the crater of the Mt. Etna volcano so he would have a death befitting a god. The English poet, Mathew Arnold, wrote a poem about the episode entitled Empedocles on Etna. Some scholars dispute the story of Empedocles' fiery death. According to the writings of Aristotle, Empedocles died at the age of 60.