PHYSICIANS AND PHILOSOPHERS THAT INFLUENCED ERASISTRATUS OF SAMOS
PHYSICIANS AND PHILOSOPHERS THAT INFLUENCED ERASISTRATUS OF SAMOS

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this paper is to shed some light on numerous physicians and philosophers that have influenced Erasistratus of Samos. His philosophy has numerous influences: (1) Alcmaeon’s experimental approach to anatomy and physiology; (2) Heraclitus’ philosophy of motion as a feature of life; (3) Leucippus and Democritus’atomism as the basis of cell theory in biology and medicine; (4) Anaximander’s theory of evolution; (5) Empedocles’ concept of bloodstream, resuscitation and his philosophy of medicine in general; (6) Anaxagoras’ philosophy of medicine; (7) Philosophy of medicine of Erasistratus’ immediate teachers: his father (also a physician), Metrodorus of Athens, Chrysippus of Cnidos, Herophilus of Chalcedon and Praxagoras; (8) Aristotle and Th eophrastus’ philosophy of biology and their methodology; (9) the philosophy of Epicurus; and (10) last but not least, the mechanics of the Alexandrian period. Out of all of these infl uences, I have analyzed in detail the first seven, since they are essential for understanding of Erasistratus’ work. Th e other three are too extensive for this article, so I will refer the reader to the relevant literature.

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