On Cosmogonic Function of Fire. Considerations on Heracliten Vision of the World

Abstract

The present paper aims at reconstructing the Heraclitean vision of the world from a cosmogonic point of view, using only some but the most essential fragments of Heraclitus works (B 30, B 31, B 60, B 90, B 126) where the function of fire became the dominant subject: as the beginning, the source material of the world (say archē). As identified with fire, cosmos reveals the characteristics of its matter: it becomes then material, living and constantly changing.

The change cycle is governed a strict principle (‘regularity’), determined by the name of Logos (‘relation of quantity’); this is a feature pertaining to the nature of fire itself, linking the idea of fire to that of Logos, which is nothing but the very Wisdom driving all things and the eternal process of their transformations (cf B 41, B 29). These last evolve in a strictly determined order: going downwards (fire changes into water and earth) and upwards (earth and water return to their source). Such a twofold change operates at the same time, as it is proved by instances of hot objects turning cold, of dry anes turning wet and vice versa. This is the way in which the philosopher located the change mechanism in general.