The Laughing Philosopher [1]

I believe this information comes from DEMOCRITUS (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosphy). I need to write down the title first, then copy and paste. Im tryin.

 

 

Life

Democritus was born in the city of Abdera [2] in Thrace [3], an Ionian [4] colony of Teos [5],^{[5] [6]} although some called him a Milesian [7].^{[6] [8]} He was born in the 80th Olympiad [9] (460–457 BC) according to Apollodorus of Athens [10],^{[7] [11]} and although Thrasyllus [12] placed his birth in 470 BC,^{[7] [11]} the later date is probably more likely.^{[8] [13]} John Burnet [14] has argued that the date of 460 is "too early", since according to Diogenes Laërtius ix.41, Democritus said that he was a "young man (neos)" during Anaxagoras [15]' old age (circa 440–428).^{[9] [16]} It was said that Democritus' father was so wealthy that he received Xerxes [17] on his march through Abdera. Democritus spent the inheritance [18] which his father left him on travels into distant countries, to satisfy his thirst for knowledge. He traveled to Asia [19], and was even said to have reached India [20] and Ethiopia [21].^{[10] [22]}

We know that he wrote on Babylon [25] and Meroe [26]; he must also have visited Egypt [27], and Diodorus Siculus [28] states that he lived there for five years.^{[11] [29]} He himself declared^{[12] [30]} that among his contemporaries none had made greater journeys, seen more countries, and met more scholars than himself. He particularly mentions the Egyptian mathematicians [31], whose knowledge he praises. Theophrastus [32], too, spoke of him as a man who had seen many countries.^{[13] [33]} During his travels, according to Diogenes Laërtius, he became acquainted with the Chaldean magi. A certain "Ostanes [34]", one of the magi accompanying Xerxes [17] was also said to have taught him.^{[14] [35]}

After returning to his native land he occupied himself with natural philosophy [36]. He traveled throughout Greece [37] to acquire a knowledge of its culture. He mentions many Greek [38] philosophers in his writings, and his wealth enabled him to purchase their writings. Leucippus [39], the founder of the atomism [40], was the greatest influence upon him. He also praises Anaxagoras [15].^{[15] [41]} Diogenes Laertius says that he was friends with Hippocrates [42].^{[16] [43]} He may have been acquainted with Socrates [44], but Plato [45] does not mention him and Democritus himself is quoted as saying, "I came to Athens and no one knew me."^{[17] [46]} Aristotle [47] placed him among the pre-Socratic [48] natural philosophers.^{[18] [49]}

The many anecdotes [52] about Democritus, especially in Diogenes Laërtius [53], attest to his disinterest [54], modesty, and simplicity, and show that he lived exclusively for his studies. One story has him deliberately blinding [55] himself in order to be less disturbed in his pursuits;^{[19] [56]} it may well be true that he lost his sight in old age [57]. He was cheerful, and was always ready to see the comical side of life, which later writers took to mean that he always laughed at the foolishness of people.^{[20] [58]}

He was highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens [59], "because," as Diogenes Laërtius says, "he had foretold them some things which events proved to be true," which may refer to his knowledge of natural phenomena [60]. According to Diodorus Siculus [28],^{[21] [61]} Democritus died at the age of 90, which would put his death around 370 BC, but other writers have him living to 104,^{[22] [62]} or even 109.^{[23] [63]}

Popularly known as the Laughing Philosopher (for laughing at human follies), the terms Abderitan laughter, which means scoffing, incessant laughter, and Abderite, which means a scoffer, are derived from Democritus.^{[24] [64]} To his fellow citizens he was also known as "The Mocker".

 

KNOW THYSELF AND TO THY OWNSELF BE TRUE

 

Love Nageeta