Empedocles was a Pre-Socratic philosopher in ancient Greece (l.c. 484-c.424 BCE) best known for trying to harmonize the claims of the earlier philosophers.

What is Empedocles famous for?

Empedocles is famous for being the first to define the four elements (earth, air, fire, water) that were unified by Love and separated by Strife, thereby allowing for both change and unity.

How did Empedocles die?

According to one story, Empedocles died jumping into a volcano. This story is not universally accepted as true, however.

What did Love and Strife mean to Empedocles?

To Empedocles, Love was the unifying force in the universe and Strife the separating force; this allowed for both unity and change in perceivable reality.

Empedocles

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Definition

Empedocles (l. c. 484-424 BCE) was a Greek philosopher and mystic whose work harmonized the philosophies of Parmenides (l. c. 485 BCE), Heraclitus (l. c. 500 BCE), and Pythagoras (l. c. 571 to c. 497 BCE) in presenting a unified vision of unchanging reality in which change was possible. He is the first to synthesize the Pre-Socratic philosophical systems.

More about: Empedocles

Timeline

c. 484 BCE - c. 424 BCE
Life of Presocratic Philosopher Empedocles who first synthesized early Greek Philosophy.
c. 450 BCE
Empedocles suggests that all things are made from combinations of the four elements; earth, fire, water and air.