Logic & Philosophy of Science
Atomism (paramanu)
c. 6th-2nd c. BCE (uncertain)KanadaVaisheshika SutraPan-Indian / unspecified
600 BCE
Held that matter is composed of indivisible atoms (paramanu) combining into pairs and larger aggregates.
- Dated
- 600–101 BCE
- As scholars put it
- c. 6th-2nd c. BCE (uncertain)
- Originator
- Kanada
- Source text
- Vaisheshika Sutra
- Region
- Pan-Indian / unspecified
- Discipline
- Logic & Philosophy of Science
- Evidence
- Plausible precursor
- Confidence
- Medium
- Verification
- Reference-cited
Meanwhile in the West
Modern atomic theory by Dalton (1808) and later physics.
Fair to say
A metaphysical, non-experimental doctrine — NOT modern atomic theory.
Path to modern innovation
An early conceptual anticipation of atomism.
Transmission
No connection; independent philosophy vs. empirical science.
Primary sources
References
- 1Vaisheshika Sutra
- 2W. Halbfass, On Being and What There Is
Further reading
Corrections and additional sources: edit IND-021 on GitHub.