Empedocles

Pre-Socratic philosopher known for the four elements, Love, and Strife.

Chronology: -494 – -434

Origins & Early Life

Empedocles (; Ancient Greek: Ἐμπεδοκλῆς; c. 494 – c. 434 BC, fl. 444–443 BC) was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher and a native citizen of Akragas, a Greek city in Sicily.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Empedocles' philosophy is known best for originating the cosmogonic theory of the four classical elements. He also proposed forces he called Love and Strife which would mix and separate the elements, respectively. Empedocles challenged the practice of animal sacrifice and killing animals for food. He developed a distinctive doctrine of reincarnation. He is generally considered the last Greek philosopher to have recorded his ideas in verse.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Some of his work survives, more than is the case for any other pre-Socratic philosopher. Empedocles' death was mythologized by ancient writers, and has been the subject of a number of literary treatments. Galen regarded him as the founder of the Sicilian school of medicine. == Life == The exact dates of Empedocles' birth and death are unknown, and ancient accounts of his life conflict on the exact details. However, they agree that he was born in the early 5th century BC in the Greek city of Akragas in Magna Graecia, present-day Sicily. Modern scholars believe the accuracy of the...

Source: Wikipedia