Atomism is a philosophical concept that has been around for centuries. It is the belief that everything in the universe is made up of small, indivisible particles called atoms. These atoms are believed to be the basic building blocks of all matter, and they cannot be divided into smaller parts. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of atomism, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Atomism is a philosophical theory that holds that the universe is made up of small, indivisible particles called atoms. It is the belief that everything in the universe is made up of these atoms and that they are the basic building blocks of all matter. Atomism is also the belief that the physical world can be explained by the properties and behavior of atoms.
Origin
Atomism has its roots in ancient Greek philosophy. The Greek philosopher Democritus is often credited with being the first to propose the idea of atoms. He believed that everything in the universe was made up of tiny, indivisible particles that he called atoms. Other ancient philosophers, such as Leucippus and Epicurus, also believed in the concept of atomism.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The term “atomism” is defined differently in different dictionaries. In the Oxford English Dictionary, atomism is defined as “the theory that all matter is composed of small, indivisible particles.” Merriam-Webster defines atomism as “a theory that the universe is composed of minute, indivisible particles.” The Collins English Dictionary defines atomism as “the theory that matter is composed of indivisible units.”
Associations
Atomism is often associated with the scientific method and the study of physics. It is also associated with the idea of reductionism, which is the belief that complex systems can be understood by breaking them down into smaller, simpler parts. Atomism is also associated with the idea of determinism, which is the belief that all events are determined by previous events and the laws of nature.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of atomism include atomic theory, atomic philosophy, and corpuscular theory.
Antonyms
Antonyms of atomism include holism, which is the belief that systems should be viewed as a whole rather than as a collection of parts, and vitalism, which is the belief that living organisms are fundamentally different from non-living matter.
The same root words
The word “atomism” comes from the Greek word “atomos,” which means “indivisible.” Other words that have the same root include atom, atomic, and atomize.
Example Sentences
2. The ancient Greek philosopher Democritus is often credited with being the first to propose the idea of atomism.