PHILOSOPHICAL DICTIONARY – Atom, Atomism

Atom, Atomism from the Greek ἄτομος, which means both that which is uncut and that which is incapable of being cut or divided. In the latter sense it is in Greek equivalent to the Latin individual, and as such is used by Aristotle.

As applied to time, it denotes in the New Testament a moment. With regard to matter, we mean by it indivisible portions thereof, and the name atomism is given to the various theories of the universe which suppose it constituted by combinations of such, theories represented by Democritus, Epicurus, and Lucretius, and revived in modern times by Gassendi, without however the atheism which characterized them in the old world. The Monads of Leibnitz will demand some distinct notice. See Monad.