Diogenes of Apollonia c. 460 BC – c. 390 BC
Diogenes of Apollonia (c. 460 BC – c. 390 BC) was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era, associated with Pre-Socratic and Ancient Greek Philosophy.
Diogenes of Apollonia was a Greek pre-Socratic natural philosopher of the late fifth century BC and the last great representative of the early Ionian tradition of inquiry into the principles of nature. Working in Athens during the high classical period, he revived and refined the thesis of his Milesian predecessor Anaximenes that air is the principle of all things, arguing that this single underlying substance, when differentiated by greater and lesser thickness, produces every visible body, and that the intelligence ordering the cosmos is itself a modulation of air. His doctrine of the universal kinship of breath shaped Hellenistic and early Christian thought on the world-soul.
Key facts
- Nationality
- Greek
- Era
- Ancient
- Movements
- Pre-Socratic, Ancient Greek Philosophy
Selected quotes
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Attributed to Diogenes of Apollonia:
“Air is the principle of all things.”
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Attributed to Diogenes of Apollonia:
“The same air that we breathe is the soul of the world.”
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Attributed to Diogenes of Apollonia:
“Without intelligence in nature, the world could not be ordered as it is.”
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Attributed to Diogenes of Apollonia:
“All living things share a common breath.”
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Attributed to Diogenes of Apollonia:
“Thought and life are themselves modulations of air.”
Diogenes of Apollonia by topic
Frequently asked about Diogenes of Apollonia
- When did Diogenes of Apollonia live?
- Diogenes of Apollonia was born in c. 460 BC and died in c. 390 BC.
- Where was Diogenes of Apollonia from?
- Diogenes of Apollonia was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era.
- What philosophical movements is Diogenes of Apollonia associated with?
- Diogenes of Apollonia was associated with Pre-Socratic and Ancient Greek Philosophy.
- What was Diogenes of Apollonia known for?
- Diogenes of Apollonia was a Greek pre-Socratic natural philosopher of the late fifth century BC and the last great representative of the early Ionian tradition of inquiry into the principles of nature.
- How many quotes are attributed to Diogenes of Apollonia?
- There are 5 attributed quotations from Diogenes of Apollonia in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.