Imaginary dialogue between Parmenides and Heraclitus - Essay Example

Parmenides & Heraclitus Heraclitus: I have discovered the nature of the universe. Parmenides: What is it? Heraclitus: Fire. Parmenides: That is ridiculous, why did you decide on fire?Heraclitus: It is simple dear Parmenides. If you look around you can see that the universe is changing. There is substance in the universe there must be something that is changing. The only thing I recognize as changing in this way is fire. Therefore, fire is the essential element of the universe. Parmenides: That’s absurd.

You have absolutely no proof that the universe is changing. Heraclitus: Yes I do. See my hand? (Heraclitus moves his hand). Now see it? Don’t you see that it has changed?Parmenides: No, all I see is that you have the same hand, just at different places. Heraclitus: OK OK. What about this river? You will never be able to step into this river and touch the same collection of water ever again. If you’ll realize that this river has a propelling force, it is this force that is intrinsic to the nature of the universe.

Ultimately, just as the river changes so do the properties of the universe. Parmenides: Again you are mistaken Heraclitus, just because the river changes, does not mean that the universe is essentially changing. You have no logical proof for that argument. Heraclitus: Then why does the water flow and change that way if the universe is not changing? Parmenides: The water flows because of natural elements like the tilt of the Earth, not because the universe is fundamentally changing. The universe is the same now as it always has been and as how it always will be.

Heraclitus: That is absurd how is it possible for the universe to be the same now as it was a hundred years ago, clearly things have changed? Parmenides: No that is only an illusion. Time is also an illusion. I promise you Heraclitus, the universe does not change. Heraclitus: But what about my memory? I have no recollection of the future, thus it has not occurred. The difference between the present and the future then demonstrates that the universe is changing. Parmenides: I recognize that you make a strong argument Heraclitus.

I agree with you that humans have no understanding of the future. However, this does not mean that anything different is occurring. Instead the fact that humans can remember the past but cannot recall the future is only an illusion. In actuality the future is the same as the past. Heraclitus: But what about free will Parmenides? Surely if all of Greece decides to change the universe they can impact the future.Parmenides: Unfortunately Heraclitus your view of the universe and free will is mistaken.

Since the universe is the same, all the elements in the universe are also the same. Since all the elements in the universe are the same, then cause and effect is the same and humans have no free will.Heraclitus: No free will that is absurd. Then how can I walk away? Parmenides: You are the same now as you just were. Heraclitus: Are you hungry? Parmenides: Why yes. Heraclitus: Then let’s eat. At least there’s something we can agree on.