What Greek philosopher said that atoms could not be created, destroyed, or created?

1 Answer
Sep 2, 2016

Democritus of Abdera, #c. 460-390# #B.C.#

Explanation:

Democritus was a more of a natural philosopher than a scientist, and nothing of his wriiting survives; he was certainly not an empirical scientist. He is said to have developed an early atomic theory, which proposed that atoms were the single indivisible element of matter (which of course we know now to be incorrect, why?). The very word #alphatauomuos# comes from the Greek, and means #"uncuttable"# or #"indivisible"#; this name is probably a nod to old Democritus.