Heraclitus
(6th
century BC)
Born in Ephesus
(today's Turkey), Heraclitus is also called the "Weeping Philosopher" because
he used to sit in Ephesos and cry over mans feebleness and foolishness.
Heraclitus believed that the world was in a constant state of change, and
his statement Ta Panta Rei ("Everything Floats") is his best known
quote.
He also illustrated his belief in everythings fluxuality by saying you cannot
step in the same river twice. He meant that change was the only true reality.
Heraclitus also said that fire was the primordial source of matter, and he
occupied himself with ethics and theology, and is also considered to ave founded
the Greek metaphysics. He attacked the popular religion and its concepts and
ceremonies.
The philosopher ended his days as a hermit, trying to live of the grass on
the ground. When this failed he tried to cure himself by sitting on a pile
of warm manure, where he died.