Zeno Ans The First Paradox Of Motion

7 Pages 1857 Words

Name: Preven Chetty

Zeno of Elea
and
the first paradox of motion
{including its correlation to the theory on Maya
and an appendix on Lao Tzu}
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In order to understand Zeno and his arguments against motion it would be helpful to know his background. This is difficult because Zeno was alive in 450 B.C and there are few materials about him. Most of our information is indirect and possibly all of Zeno’s arguments on motion have emerged from one book. What we can safely assume however was that Zeno was a disciple of Parmenides and a supporter of his theories.

Background Theories
Parmenides (c.515,445 B.C) believed that there is no real change in the world and that all of reality is actually one. Parmenides changed the course of Greek philosophy and not until Plato and Aristotle (384-322 BC) would any philosopher challenge his metaphysical assumptions. Parmenides writings are in the form of a philosophical poem and in the poem it is said that he was driven in a chariot to the gates of light and dark where he met a divine goddess who showed him that reality cannot be generated or destroyed, is all alike, unmoved and complete ( Mautner, T, 1996).

It would be interesting to note at this point that Parmenides monistic view of the world is not only to be found in secular Greek philosophy but it is also the foundation of Indian philosophy. In ancient India, even before the time of Parmenides there was a growing consensus amongst scholars that the universe is illusory and is a projection of the One Being. Thus reality is an illusion (also known as Maya) and its varied and changing nature is false for it is in essence one thing (Edgerton, F, 1952). Common in Indian philosophy is the idea that the senses are also a product of Maya (i.e. : ignorance). Desire is perceived as false since it is born out of ignor...