The Ether: Divine Substance in Ancient Greek Thought
In ancient Greek philosophy, the ether (or aether) was believed to be the divine substance filling the heavens.
Characteristics:
Described as pure and imperishable, ether was thought to form the celestial spheres and embody the fifth element, distinct from Earth, Water, Air, and Fire.
Philosophical Context:
Aristotle proposed ether as the medium through which celestial bodies moved in perfect harmony, aligning with the geocentric model.
Legacy:
The idea of ether influenced early scientific theories about light and space, laying groundwork for modern physics and cosmology.