MahlerIsGod

I have always heard the maxim, the Aristotelian maxim, that "nature abhors a vacuum." My question is: Why? What are the Aristotelian argurments against a vacuum and does someone know where in his writings I can find his objections? Thanks for any help, ideas, suggestions, etc.

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"But a work of art is a conscious human effort that has to do with communication. It is that or its nothing. When an accident is applauded as a work of art, when a cult grows up around the deliciousness of inadvertent beauty, we are in the presence of the greatest decadence the West has known in its history."

asaris

I suspect that it's from observation; that, when there is a vacuum, nature rushes to fill it. As to where, I don't know for sure, but I would guess somewhere in the Physics.

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"Die Deutschen meinen, daß die Kraft sich in Härte und Grausamkeit offenbaren müsse, sie unterwerfen sich dann gerne und mit Bewunderung:[...]. Daß es Kraft giebt in der Milde und Stille, das glauben sie nicht leicht."

"The Germans believe that power must reveal itself in hardness and cruelty and then submit themselves gladly and with admiration[...]. They do not believe readily that there is power in meekness and calm."

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

nanofever

I have seen that phrase applied to political events with the phrase "power vaccum". The idea that if a country doesn't have leadership it will quickly find it in some form. This idea links into the reason with revolutions commonly have a military dictator as a result.

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Originally Posted by Norseman on another forum:
"Yeah, the problem with the world is the stupid people are all cocksure of themselves and the intellectuals are full of doubt."

MSD

In a true vacuum, no matter or energy exists, and to progress toward a vacuum is to progress toward a zero-entropy state.

MageB420666

he was probably making a statement about politics, if there is seat of power open people will rush in to take it.
It is also observable in nature, If you clear a plot of land(and don't cover it in salt or some type of poison) then it won't be long before plants and whatnot are growing over it again.
The same idea that nature abhors a vacuum can be applied to space also. Space is not really empty, it is filled with dust, planets, stars, nubula, etc., and it's also filled with radiation and heat,(Yes space does contain minute amounts of heat). So MrSelfDestructs point is valid and supports this argument.
I can think of nowhere above the subatomic level that has a true vacuum.

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Apathy: The best outlook this side of I don't give a damn.

Charlatan

I just want to know when Aristotle is coming over to do the vacuuming...

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- Old Man Luedecke

Redlemon

Einstein's relatives, when they have the time, are coming to vacuum my place.

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I can't read your signature. Sorry.

asaris

Found it! It's in Book IV of his Physics. The main argument is in paragraph 8, 214b13-217b28. Looking over it quickly, his argument seems to be that if there were a void, an object falling in it would have an infinite velocity. This is impossible, therefore, there is no void. As far as I can tell, he never actually says "Nature abhors a vacuum," but that might be somewhere else.

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"Die Deutschen meinen, daß die Kraft sich in Härte und Grausamkeit offenbaren müsse, sie unterwerfen sich dann gerne und mit Bewunderung:[...]. Daß es Kraft giebt in der Milde und Stille, das glauben sie nicht leicht."

"The Germans believe that power must reveal itself in hardness and cruelty and then submit themselves gladly and with admiration[...]. They do not believe readily that there is power in meekness and calm."

-- Friedrich Nietzsche