Definition:Philosophical Element
Definition
The Pythagoreans postulated that the Universe was composed of $4$ elements:
Subsequently, the alchemical tradition proposed the existence of a fifth element: quintessence, or aether.
Earth
Earth was one of the original four elements that were postulated by the Pythagoreans to compose the Universe.
All the earthy matter of the Universe was supposed to collect at its natural place, which was the centre of the Universe, that is, Earth itself.
Water
Water was one of the original four elements that were postulated by the Pythagoreans to compose the Universe.
It had its natural place about the rim of the surface of Earth.
Air
Air was one of the original four elements that were postulated by the Pythagoreans to compose the Universe.
It had its natural place around the rim of the sphere of water.
Fire
Fire was one of the original four elements that were postulated by the Pythagoreans to compose the Universe.
It had its natural place outside the sphere of air.
Quintessence
Quintessence was the fifth element postulated by the Pythagoreans, and was supposed to be the material out of which the heavens were made.
It was postulated in order to explain how the heavenly bodies were in constant motion, and never came to rest like everything else that could be seen in the universe.
Sources
- 1966: Isaac Asimov: Understanding Physics ... (previous) ... (next): $\text {I}$: Motion, Sound and Heat: Chapter $1$: The Search for Knowledge: The Greek View of Motion
- 1986: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers ... (previous) ... (next): $4$
- 1997: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $4$