Page 46 - STOLEN LEGACY By George G. M. James

3. The Eleatic Philosophers

The Eleatic Philosophers include (a) Xenophanes, (b) Parmenides, (c) Zeno and (d) Melissus.
They deal with the problem of change, and are credited with introducing the notions of Being
and Becoming. The term Eleatic is derived from Elea, a city in Southern Italy, where these men
are said only to have visited.

(a) Xenophanes
Born at Colophon, in Asia Minor, about 370 B.C., Xenophanes is credited with the following
doctrines:

(i) The Unity of God
Men err when they ascribe their own characteristics to the gods: for God is all eye, all ear, and all
intellect. Again, since there is no Becoming, and since Plurality depends upon Becoming,
therefore there is no Plurality. Consequently all is one and one is all.

(ii) Temperance
Against the artificial culture of Greece, its luxuries, excess and fops; Xenophanes is credited with
advocating Temperance i.e., plain living, simplicity, moderation, and pure thinking. Roger's
Students' History of Philosophy: p. 27–28. Wm. Turner's History of Philosophy: p. 45–46.
Zeller's History of Philosophy: p. 58–60.

(b) Parmenides
Is said to have been born at Elea 540 B.C. and to have composed a poem concerning nature: peri
physeos, which contains his doctrines.

A. The Poem consists of three parts:

(i) In part one, the Goddess of truth points out that there are two paths of knowledge: one leading
to a knowledge of truth, and the other to a knowledge of the opinions of men.

(ii) In part two, the journey to truth is described and contains a metaphysical doctrine, and in part
three, a cosmology of the apparent.

B. The Doctrines are as follows:

(i) The Physical Doctrine
Though right reason (logos) holds that Being is one and immutable, the senses and common
opinion are convinced that plurality and change exist around us.

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Stolen Legacy: Greek Philosophy is Stolen Egyptian Philosophy by George G. M. James
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