The atom concept has its origins in Ancient Greek debates over the nature of change and permanency.
Aristotle criticized Democritus‘ atomic theory, which both hindered its acceptance and provided the majority of what we know about it.
“Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is opinion.” –Democritus
Democritus saw material objects (matter) as existing in a temporary state, being created or destroyed as atoms respectively come together or fall apart under the influence of natural forces; all that remains then are the atoms comprising those material objects.
Democritus considers everything in the universe – including the human mind and soul, and even the gods – to be comprised of atomos, which is Greek for indivisible and from which we get “atom”.
The Greek philosopher Anaxagoras considered matter to be infinitely divisible.
The first “atomic theories” focused on a “primary element” responsible for creating all other matter. Heraclitus said it was fire, Thales of Miletus (c.624 BC–c.546 BC) said it was water, Anaximenes (c.585 BC–c.528 BC) thought it was air, and Empedocles finally unified these declaring there to be the four elements of air, earth, fire and water. Later Aristotle adopted Empedocles’ four elements and so it remained up until about the 17th century.
