Heraclitus of Ephesus and the Denial of the Existence of Arche and Any Other Substance

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Philosophy
Heraclitus of Ephesus is widely known for his philosophical views on the nature of reality, which he expressed in the famous quote, "No man ever steps in the same river twice." In the passage above, he explains the "kosmos," which he claims is not created by any god or man. Instead, it exists eternally as an "everlasting fire, kindling by measure and going out be measure." By emphasizing the idea of an ever-changing universe, Heraclitus attempted to show that the world could not be controlled by any being or force. Instead, he believed that the universe was a chaotic and unpredictable force that could not be fully understood or manipulated. Heraclitus' idea of an ever-changing universe was a radical one for the time. However, it is still relevant today, as seen in how the universe constantly expands and changes.
In denying the existence of arche and any other substance, Heraclitus says that the kosmos is not composed of any single, unchanging element but is constantly in flux. This idea is in stark contrast to the beliefs of Plato and Aristotle. These philosophers argued that everything has a fundamental, unchanging substance or archetype. However, Heraclitus believed that everything is constantly changing and that the only true thing is change itself. He argued that the only way to explain the universe is to recognize that it is always in flux and can never be reduced to a single element or essence. By denying the existence of arche and any othe...