rejects the doctrine of atoms as the original or ultimate constituents of things; and, secondly, it insists on the existence of qualitative differences in things. I shall say a few words on each of these points.
8. First, The ὁμοιομερῆ are, in all respects, the opposite of the atoms. The atoms are absolutely simple, that is to say, are elements in the proper sense of the word. The ὁμοιομερῆ are infinitely complex, that is to say, are not elements in any sense at all. They are not elements, because each of them contains an infinite variety of particles, and each of these particles, again, is not elementary, because each contains an infinite variety of particles; which particles, again, are not elementary, because each contains an infinite variety of particles, and so on for ever. Each particle of the matter, divide and subdivide it as often as you will, still contains in parvo all that was contained in the particle with which you commenced your operations, so that while the Atomists hold matter in its original condition to be absolutely simple, Anaxagoras holds that matter in its original condition is infinitely complex. The Atomists hold that matter in its primitive state is simple, and that in its secondary state, when things have been formed by the different combinations of the atoms, it is complex. Anaxagoras holds that matter in its primitive state is complex; and that in its secondary state, when things have attained to symmetry and order, it is simple—comparatively
