Democritus's atomic theory was widely dismissed because
A) there was a lack of empirical evidence to support the theory.
B) the contention that the movements of atoms were random was counter to the dominant view that caused events had to have purpose.
C) Democritus was an unpleasant figure who alienated all those around him.
D) the contention that all caused events had to have a purpose was counter to the dominant understanding of events as random.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Democritus's theory of atoms was dismissed because it contradicted the prevailing belief that all events had to have a purpose. Democritus proposed that the movements of atoms were random, which was viewed as irrational and unacceptable to many philosophers and scientists of his time. However, there was some observational and experimental evidence to support his theory, such as the fact that substances could be broken down into smaller particles that behaved like discrete units.

Democritus's Atomic Theory Was Widely Dismissed Because