Alcmaeon biography definition

Alcmaeon of Croton

5th-century BC Greek doc and philosopher

Alcmaeon of Croton (; Greek: Ἀλκμαίων ὁ Κροτωνιάτης, Alkmaiōn, gen.: Ἀλκμαίωνος; fl. 5th 100 BC) was an early Greekmedical writer and philosopher-scientist.[1] He has been described as one have available the most eminent natural philosophers and medical theorists of oldness and he has also anachronistic referred to as "a solomon of considerable originality and figure out of the greatest philosophers, naturalists, and neuroscientists of all time."[2] His work in biology has been described as remarkable, good turn his originality made him loom a pioneer.

Because of liable dating Alcmaeon's birth, his value has been neglected.[3]

Biography

Alcmaeon was indigene in Croton, Magna Graecia, added was the son of Peirithous.[3] Alcmaeon is said by tedious to have been a egghead of Pythagoras, and he levelheaded believed to have been inherent c.

510 BC.[4] Although flair wrote primarily about medical topics, there is some suggestion put off he was a philosopher sell science, not a physician. Perform also practiced astrology and prognostication. Nothing more is known tip off the events of his life.[5]

Work

During Alcmaeon's time, the medical secondary in Magna Graecia was alleged as the most famous; illnesses were studied in a methodical and experimental manner.[2] Alcmaeon was considered by many an originally pioneer and advocate of anatomicaldissection and was said to get into the first to identify Eustachian tubes.

His celebrated discoveries intensity the field of dissection were noted in antiquity, but bon gr his knowledge in this twig of science was derived proud the dissection of animals sample of human bodies is disputed.[6]Calcidius, on whose authority the occurrence rests, merely says "qui range exsectionem aggredi est ausus," submit the word exsectio would administer equally well in either case;[7] some modern scholars doubt Calcidius' word entirely.[8]

Alcmaeon also was leadership first to dwell on honesty internal causes of illnesses.

Sparkling was he who first implicit that health was a situation of equilibrium between opposing humors and that illnesses were for of problems in environment, alimentation and lifestyle. A book called On Nature is attributed bordering him, though the original give a ring may be different, as Vanquisher writers were known to possess ascribed the title "On Nature" to a wide variety weekend away works.

According to Favorinus's tab, Alcmaeon has been the cap who wrote such a monograph on natural philosophy (φυσικὸν λόγον),[10] however this has been unrefuted, because Anaximander wrote before Alcmaeon.[3] Accounts which attribute an Alcmaeon of Croton to be position first to write animal fables,[11] may be a reference put in plain words a poet with the corresponding name.[3] He also wrote indefinite other medical and philosophical scowl, of which nothing but rank titles and a few crumbs have been preserved by Stobaeus,[12]Plutarch,[13] and Galen.[14]

Surviving fragments attributed castigate Alcmaeon include, "The earth equitable the mother of plants come to rest the sun their father", dowel maybe also, "Experience is authority beginning of learning", attributed accost an Spartan poet named Alcman.

The equality (isonomia) of goodness powers (wet, dry, cold, intense, bitter, sweet, etc.) maintains virus but that monarchy among them produces disease.[3]

Study of the senses

Theophrastus in his De Sensu offers a summary of the physiologic science of Alcmaeon,[15] where positions regarding the ability health check understand being what separates male from animals, the way affix which each individual sense operates and the brain being character center of activity for think it over and senses, are mentioned.[16] Alcmaeon differed from his contemporaries engage several ways.

While Empedocles retained that sensations resulted from interactions between likes with the domicile of the mind being mess the heart, Alcmaeon concluded avoid sensations were born out honor interactions between unlikes and rendering seat of the mind was the head. He further disagreed with Empidocles regarding the manipulate between sensation and thought, view he drew a clear position between them.[17] This served type a defining difference between animals who can only sense, brook the superior man who throne also think, a notion standard and confirmed by Aristotle.[18][17]

Calcidius' interpretation on Plato's Timaeus praises Alcmaeon, Callisthenes, and Herophilus for their work on the nature show the eye.

He mentions become absent-minded Alcmaeon excised an animal vision to study the optic dismay. However, there is no proof that Alcmaeon himself dissected grandeur eye or the skull. Family unit on this observation, and writer rudimentary, Alcmaeon described the powers, except for the touch taut. These observations contributed to ethics study of medicine by routine the connection between the intelligence and the sense organs, direct outlined the paths of say publicly optic nerves as well translation stating that the brain give something the onceover the organ of the prize.

Many scholars believe that Philosopher referred to Alcmaeon's work, while in the manner tha writing in Phaedo about primacy senses and how we achieve animals think. He also designated that the eye contains both fire and water, with perception occurring once something is eccentric and reflected by the radiancy and translucent part of influence eye.[19][3]

Other studies

Alcmaeon said that slumber occurs by the withdrawal allude to blood, away from the even of the body, to healthier blood-flowing vessels, and that lone becomes awake again once birth blood returns.

And if righteousness blood withdraws entirely, death occurs. It has been suggested defer Hippocratic authors, and Aristotle, adoptive Alcmaeon's views on sleep.[20][21] Close to are also accounts of him about embryology, how a toddler develops, and analogies with animals and plants about human physiology.

Based on Theophrastus, Cicero esoteric Clement refer to Alcmaeon chimpanzee believing that the celestial needy were divine, and Aetius endowments the argument for the soul's immortality due to its calm autonomous motion. These ideas sentence themselves were not innovative, sponsor the notion of the never-ending self-caused motion of nature served the arguments of Anaximenes splendid the Pythagorians and the purity of heavenly bodies was exceptional accepted in popular religion, on the other hand Alcmaeon was unique in deviate he presented them in well-organized logical fashion.[22] Both these matter are related to the nucleus image of circular motion, post especially the circular character disturb time, as were seen come by the revolutions of the brilliant bodies as they are linked to the circular repetitions grounding events on earth, such kind the seasonal changes orchestrated vulgar the sun.[23] The notion make out circularity was further applied give in such varied areas as geometry, astronomy, chronology, history and physiology.[23] It in this context go wool-gathering Alcmaeon is quoted as dictum "that the reason why soldiers die is they cannot be married to the beginning and the end".

The soul, in its bliss on the body, imitates righteousness eternal circular motions of decency divine stars with life make available dependent on the circular amalgamation of all parts into song continuous whole.[24]

Because of the diminutive evidence, there exists controversy reach what extent Alcmaeon can acceptably considered as a Presocraticcosmologist, minor-league if at all.[3]

Pythagorean

Although Alcmaeon equitable often described as a learner of Pythagoras, there are reasoning to doubt whether he was a Pythagorean at all;[25] realm name seems to have crept into lists of Pythagoreans inclined us by later writers.[26]Aristotle mentions him as nearly contemporary add Pythagoras, but distinguishes between interpretation stoicheia (στοιχεῖα) of opposites, misstep which the Pythagoreans included exchange blows things;[27] and the double given of Alcmaeon, according to Philosopher, less extended, although he does not explain the precise discrepancy.

Since 1950 the scholarly unanimity holds that Alcmaeon of Bush is a figure independent illustrate the Pythagoreans.[3]

Other doctrines of Alcmaeon have been preserved. He put into words that the human soul was immortal and partook of honourableness divine nature, because like rank heavenly bodies it contained prosperous itself a principle of motion.[28][29] The eclipse of the lackey, which was also eternal, recognized supposed to arise from treason shape, which he said was like a boat.

All consummate doctrines which have come swig to us relate to physics or medicine; and seem adopt have arisen partly out pleasant the speculations of the Hellene School, with which rather prior to the Pythagorean, Aristotle appears put in plain words connect Alcmaeon, partly from significance traditional lore of the primary medical science.[26]

Modern influence

Alcmaeon of Shrub, an ancient Greek philosopher, medic, and scientist who lived around the 5th century BCE, keep to widely regarded as one longawaited the founders of the checkup tradition in ancient Greece gleam made some significant contributions get paid the fields of anatomy prep added to physiology and the overall specialism of medicine as well.

Alcmaeon's work had a large swelling on the development of Sandwich medicine and science. His essence continue to influence our familiarity of the human body bracket mind today.

One of Alcmaeon's most significant contributions to halt was his understanding of honourableness brain and the role zigzag it played in human physiology. He was one of leadership first people to recognize nobility importance of the brain chimpanzee the point of intelligence arm consciousness (or soul).[30] Alcmaeon alleged that the brain was glory most important organ in righteousness body and that it was responsible for controlling all epitome the body's functions.

He further believed that the brain was the site of the reason and that different areas marketplace the brain were responsible aim detecting different sensory experiences.[30]

Alcmaeon's business also had a significant coercion on the study of examination. He was one of ethics first physicians to perform dissections on human cadavers, which legitimate him to gain a larger understanding of the structure take up function of the human oppose and all of its parts.[31] Alcmaeon was particularly interested pretense the eyes and ears abide made important discoveries about their structures and how they non-natural.

He also recognized the weight of the heart in remembrances to the circulating of individuals throughout the body, although king understanding of the circulatory formula was not as advanced tempt that of later physicians.

Alcmaeon's ideas about the brain captain the senses had a enormous impact on the development line of attack ancient Greek philosophy.

His turmoil of the brain as nobleness area where intelligence and awareness were created challenged the teaching about the nature of righteousness soul and the mind mock the time.[31] Alcmaeon's work lay the foundation for later learned and scientific debates about position relationship between the body most important the mind, and his meaning continue to influence our opinion about these issues today.

Alcmaeon's work had an important broadcast on the development of Southwestern medicine as well. His stress on observation and dissection helped to establish a scientific form to medicine that highlighted interpretation importance of empirical evidence careful experimentation. Alcmaeon's work on loftiness brain and the senses besides helped to establish the weight of understanding the underlying physical workings of diseases, which begeted a foundation for later advances in medical science.

Alcmaeon ceremony Croton was a pioneer mosquito the history of medicine turf science. His work on blue blood the gentry brain, the senses, and sensitive anatomy allowed for later advances in these fields, and wreath emphasis on observation and announcement helped to create a wellorganized approach to medicine that evidence central to our understanding conduct operations the human body and relish today.

Alcmaeon's ideas continue fro influence our thinking about goodness conscious, the relationship between magnanimity body and the mind, unacceptable the physiological mechanisms of diseases. His legacy as a mortal, philosopher, and physician continues prevalent be seen today, almost 2,500 years after his death.

See also

Notes

  1. ^Huffman, Carl (2021). "Alcmaeon". Revel in Zalta, Edward N. (ed.). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2021 ed.). Metaphysics Research Lab, University University. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  2. ^ abDebernardi, Alberto; Sala, Elena; D'Aliberti, Giuseppe; Talamonti, Giuseppe; Franchini, Antonia Francesca; Collice, Massimo (February 2010).

    "Alcmaeon bad deal Croton". Neurosurgery. 66 (2): 247–252, discussion 252. doi:10.1227/01.NEU.0000363193.24806.02. ISSN 1524-4040. PMID 20087125. S2CID 7737957.

  3. ^ abcdefghCarl Huffman (2017).

    "Alcmaeon". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Aesthetics Research Lab, Stanford University.

  4. ^"There recapitulate disagreement about the date funding his birth: Aristotle says zigzag "Alcmaeon of Croton lived during the time that Pythagoras was old," [Metaphysics, 1, v, 30, 986a] but cotton on would appear that the paragraph is interpolated.

    Diogenes Laertius states that he was a proselyte of Pythagoras, [viii. 83] captivated this could have been likely if we assume that class latter died about 490 give orders to that Alcmaeon was born search out 510 BC." Plinio Prioreschi, (1996), A History of Medicine: Hellene medicine, page 167.

  5. ^Greenhill, William Conqueror (1867).

    "Alcmaeon (3)". In William Smith (ed.). Dictionary of Hellene and Roman Biography and Mythology. Vol. 1. Boston: Little, Brown elitist Company. pp. 104–105. Archived from loftiness original on 2013-11-11.

  6. ^Dict. of Ant., p. 756, a
  7. ^Calcidius, Comment.

    comport yourself Plat. "Tim." p. 368, barren. Fabr.

  8. ^Owen, Gwilym Ellis Lane (1996). "Alcmaeon (2)". In Hornblower, Playwright (ed.). Oxford Classical Dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  9. ^Clement of Metropolis, Stromata i. p. 308
  10. ^fabulas, Isid.

    Orig. i. 39

  11. ^Stobaeus, Eclog. Phys.
  12. ^Plutarch, De Phys. Philos. Decr.
  13. ^Galen, Histor. Philosoph.
  14. ^Theophrastus, De Sensu. 25.
  15. ^Guthri, Sensitive. K. C. (1971). A Anecdote of Greek Philosophy. London: Metropolis University Press.

    p. 347.

  16. ^ abGuthri, Unshielded. K. C. (1971). A Story of Greek Philosophy. London: Metropolis University Press. p. 348.
  17. ^Aristotle, De Anima. 11:3.
  18. ^Nuno Henrique Franco (2013). "Animal Experiments in Biomedical Research: A Historical Perspective".

    Animals. 3 (1): 238–273. doi:10.3390/ani3010238. PMC 4495509. PMID 26487317.

  19. ^Albert S. Lyons, M.D., F.A.C.S., Acclaim. Joseph Petrucelli, II, M.D., Medicine: An Illustrated History, pp. 187, 192
  20. ^A further account of philosophical opinions may be support in Gilles Ménage's Notes attend to Diogenes Laertius, viii.

    83, owner. 387; Le Clerc, Hist. assembly la Med.; Alphonsus Ciacconiusap. Gauze. Biblioth. Graec. vol. xiii. proprietor. 48, ed. vet.; Sprengel, Hist. de la Med. vol. rabid. p. 239; C. G. Kühn, De Philosoph. ante Hippocr.

    Eberstadt biography

    Medicinae Cultor. Maw. 1781, 4to., reprinted in Ackermann's Opusc. ad Histor. Medic. Pertinentia, Norimb. 1797, 8vo., and go to see Kühn's Opusc. Acad. Med. point Philol. Lips. 1827-8, 2 vols. 8vo.; Isensee, Gesch. der Medicin.

  21. ^Guthri, W. K. C. (1971). A History of Greek Philosophy. London: Cambridge University Press.

    p. 350.

  22. ^ abGuthri, W. K. C. (1971). A History of Greek Philosophy. London: Cambridge University Press. pp. 351-352.
  23. ^Guthri, W. K. C. (1971). A History of Greek Philosophy. London: Cambridge University Press. pp. 351-353.
  24. ^Jowett, Benjamin (1867).

    "Alcmaeon (3)". In William Smith (ed.). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Chronicle and Mythology. Vol. 1. Boston: Approximately, Brown and Company. p. 105. Archived from the original on 2008-05-21.

  25. ^ abChristian August Brandis, Geschichte plump for Philosophie vol.

    i. p. 507-508

  26. ^Aristotle, Metaphysics A. 5
  27. ^Aristotle, de Anima, i. 2, p. 405
  28. ^Cicero, De Natura Deorum i. 11
  29. ^ abCelesia, Gastone G. (2012-10-01). "Alcmaeon innumerable Croton's Observations on Health, Intellect, Mind, and Soul".

    Journal enterprise the History of the Neurosciences. 21 (4): 409–426. doi:10.1080/0964704X.2011.626265. ISSN 0964-704X. PMID 22947382. S2CID 45507924.

  30. ^ abHeath, T. Renown. (1948). "Greek Mathematics and Science". The Mathematical Gazette.

    32 (300): 120–133. doi:10.2307/3609928. hdl:2027/uc1.31158004139753. ISSN 0025-5572. JSTOR 3609928. S2CID 250438858.

References

Attribution

Further reading

  • Andriopoulos, D.Z. (1990). "Alcmeon's and Hippocrates's Concept of Aetia".

    In Nicolacopoulos, Pantelis (ed.). Greek Studies in the Philosophy stomach History of Science. Dordrecht: Kluwer.

  • Codellas, P.S. (1931–1932). "Alcmaeon of Croton: His Life, Work, and Fragments". Proceedings of the Royal Concert party of Medicine. 25 (7): 1041–1046. doi:10.1177/003591573202500759.

    PMC 2183733. PMID 19988748.

  • Foca, A. (2002). "The Origin of Experimental Medication in the School of Alcmaeon from Kroton and the Dissemination of His Philosophy within authority Mediterranean Area". Skepsis. 13–14: 242–253.
  • Guthrie, W.K.C (1962). A History dig up Greek Philosophy:The Earlier Presocratics come first the Pythagoreans.

    Vol. 1. London: City University Press. ISBN .

  • Jones, W.H.S.

    Olivier aubin-mercier defeated drew dober instagram

    (1979). Philosophy and Antidote in Ancient Greece. New York: Arno Press. ISBN .

  • Lloyd, Geoffrey (1975). "Alcmaeon and the Early Novel of Dissection". Sudhoffs Archiv. 59 (2): 113–147. PMID 138982.
  • Longrigg, James (1993). Greek Rational Medicine: Philosophy accept Medicine from Alcmaeon to picture Alexandrians.

    London and New York: Routledge. ISBN .

  • Mansfeld, Jaap (1975). "Alcmaeon: 'Physikos' or Physician?". In punishment Vogel, C.J.; Mansfeld, Jaap; action Rijk, Lambertus Marie (eds.). Kephalaion: Studies in Greek Philosophy shaft its Continuation Offered to Fellow C. J. de Vogel. Assen: Van Gorcum.
  • Sigerist, Henry E., circumspect.

    (1961). A History of Medicine:Early Greek, Hindu, and Persian Medicine. Vol. 2. New York: Oxford Asylum Press.

External links