Aether (classical element)

Quintessence (Latin quinta essentia, literally " fifth beings " ) was originally the Latin term for the fifth element, which Aristotle had assumed and called ether. Today is quintessential " essentials ", " the most important " (for example, the main idea in an argument ).

In the world view of Aristotle, there was the ether as massless, immutable, eternal substance beyond the sphere of the moon. This " fifth element " had so completely different properties than the earthly four elements of fire, water, earth and air. In alchemy, and philosophy of the Middle Ages, the meaning of the term changed.

Word History and Philosophy

Quintessence now stands for "essence, core, extract ". The word was quinta essentia borrowed from late Latin in the 16th century, " the fifth beings ", which corresponds to the Greek pémptē ūsίa ( πέμπτη οὐσία ).

The doctrine of the elements goes back to philosophers of the Ionian philosophy. As a raw material ( Arché ) Thales considered in reference to ancient Egyptian beliefs, the water, Anaximenes air, Anaximander the apeiron (the " Unlimited " ) and Heraclitus fire. Empedocles combined these views in his four- element theory, after the fire, water, earth and air, the building blocks of all things should be. He explained the elements as the only imperishable. It represents therefore a physicalism.

Aristotle placed the four elements, two basic properties (dry or wet, hot or cold) and put them towards a new, more element. The four earthly elements fire, water, earth and air are variable according to Aristotle, and can also be converted into each other. In contrast was the fifth element - Heavenly "ether" beyond the moon - immutable and timeless.

In alchemy and natural philosophy of the Middle Ages was understood quintessence " five times the power of a solid substance " and an excerpt from the 16th century to mean " fine motor ", " basic or core material ." The figurative meaning of "intellectual base " began in the 17th century. Finally, the term " earnings " in the 18th century a buzzword for " the real thing, beingness ". Eindeutschungsversuche such as fifth juice not prevailed.

In the Indian doctrine of elements of Vaisheshika the ether corresponds to the Akasha.