In another point, Epicums, as represented by



THE ATOMIC THEORY. 1 77

Lucretius, seems to go further than Democritus. ^
The atoms or molecules, though not susceptible of
physical separation or discerption, are still composed
of parts which can at least be distinguished from
each other. The atom is logically divisible ; for as /j)
it differs in the shape of each example, it must consist
of not less than three parts — parts, however, which
are only mathematically distinguishable by their dif-
ferent position or order in the total which they
constitute.^ Between such ideal constituents of the/z)
atom there is no intervening void. They are com-^
pletely in contact with one another, and no force can-^
ever succeed in wrenching them apart. And thus,
for all the purposes of mechanical cosmogony, the
complex molecules, formed by the union of these
simple parts, may be treated as themselves simple
and elementary.
The scientific principles or axioms of Democritus
were also adopted by Epicurus. ^ The maxim ex
nihilo nihil fit (out of nothing nothing can come)
stands foremost. Creation and annihilation are l5
equally and for the same reasons impossible. All }^
alteration and change is only combination or sever-
ance of parts. There must be as much in the cause
as in the effect, the antecedents must contain all that
is found in the consequent. On this principle, be it v-
observed, the material cause is all-important. The
eternity and indestructibility of matter is the point

> Lucretius, ii. 485.
* Cf. Lange's History of Materialism^ vol. i. (English tran^sia.-
tion).
178 EPICDREAIRSII.
