Fundamentals of Nature

The following list of Epicurus' Fundamentals of Nature was prepared by Norman Dewitt and appears on page 156 of his book Epicurus And His Philosophy. Discussion of these fundamentals at Epicureanfriends.com is here.

1. Matter is uncreatable.
2. Matter is indestructible.
3. The universe consists of solid bodies and void.
4. Solid bodies are either compounds or simple.
5. The multitude of atoms is infinite.
6. The void is infinite in extent.
7. The atoms are always in motion.
8. The speed of atomic motion is uniform.
9. Motion is linear in space, vibratory in compounds.
10. Atoms are capable of swerving slightly at any point in space or time.
11. Atoms are characterized by three qualities: weight, shape and size.
12. The number of the different shapes is not infinite, merely innumerable.