Leucippus, fl. 5th century BC, was a Greek philosopher and the founder of atomism. He maintained that atoms and empty space are the ultimate realities. Atoms are imperceptible, individual particles that differ only in shape and position. The intermingling of these particles in space gives rise to the world of experience. Democritus developed and popularized the ideas of Leucippus.
Robert M. Baird
Last modified on: Friday, October 17, 1997.