Atomism in Plato’s Timaeus

Abstract

This chapter is divided into two parts: first, in order to understand how a geometric atomistic view of reality emerges in the Timaeus, a close look will be given to the structure of Plato’s story about the constitution of the universe. More precisely, the narration of the myth will be distinguished from its doctrinal content. Second, a description of Plato’s geometric atomism will be offered by considering its specific context. To conclude, following the results of the two first parts, I will briefly address three puzzles: the origin of motion, the nature of the Receptacle and the relationship between Plato’s geometric atomism and the Theory of Forms as it appears in the Timaeus.