Atomism, Animism and Cognitive Science

Abstract

The article points out that the study of atomic theory of Democritus and the early forms of religion and art, as well as the study of human cognitive activity, suggests that the earliest forms of atomistic ideas still involve a belief in the special spiritual power and spirits, and that overcoming the animistic worldview implemented gradually the process of development of ancient philosophical atomism. This is precisely due to the difference between the atomism of Democritus and Epicurus' atomism, which not only introduces the idea of the spontaneous declination of atoms, but also argues that the atomic images do not have any spiritual power.