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How did Democritus explain the sensation of white and black colours?
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Atomism
Epicurus, bronze bust from a Greek original, c. 280â270 bce; in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples.
In the philosophy of atomism, Democritus proposed that qualities such as colour are not inherent in the atoms themselves but are instead the result of how different configurations of atoms interact with our senses.1
Democritus specifically linked the sensation of colour to the "position" of the atoms that make up a compound. He explained the two primary sensations as follows:1
- White: This sensation is produced by atoms that are smooth and flat, which allows them to cast no shadow.1
- Black: This sensation is caused by atoms that are rough and uneven.1
Because these sensations are merely impressions caused by the physical properties of atoms, Democritus maintained that such qualities exist only by convention, while only atoms and the Void exist in reality.1