Definition:Philosophical Element/Quintessence

Definition

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.

Also known as

Quintessence was originally known as aether.

Also see

• Definition:Aether (Physics) (an attempt to revive the concept in order to explain action at a distance)

Historical Note

Aristotle wrote about quintessence, while naming it the aether.

Linguistic Note on Quintessence

The word quintessence more or less literarily means fifth spirit, fifth essence.

It is the famous fifth element beloved of science fiction and fantasy entertainment.

Linguistic Note on Aether

The word aether was an ancient Greek word meaning blazing.

This derived from their constant emission of light.

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): $4$