The Void (philosophy)
The Void is the
The manifestation/obtaining of nothingness is closely associated with the contemplation of emptiness, and with human attempts to identify and personify it. As such, the concept of the Void, and ideas similar to it, have a significant and historically evolving presence in artistic[1] and creative expression, as well as in academic, scientific and philosophical debate surrounding the nature of the human condition.
In Western mystical traditions, it was often argued that the transcendent 'Ground of Being' could therefore be approached through aphairesis, a form of negation.[2]
Philosophy
Western philosophers have discussed the existence and nature of void since Parmenides suggested it did not exist and used this to argue for the non-existence of change, motion, differentiation, among other things.[3] In response to Parmenides, Democritus described the universe as only being composed of atoms and void.[4]
Aristotle, in Book IV of Physics, denied the existence of the Void (Greek: κενόν) with his rejection of finite entities.[5]
There were questions as to whether void was truly nothing or if it was in fact filled with other things, with theories of aether being suggested in the 18th century to fill the void.[9]
Particle physics
In The Void (2007), particle physicist
Another perspective on the matter from a scientific angle is the work of the physicist
A further consideration is the enigmatic nature of dark energy which may be seen as coterminous with the Void.[11] His work has received sustained criticism from David Albert and others working in both philosophy and physics.[clarification needed]
In popular culture
Art
- Marina Abramović, Holding emptiness (2012).[12]
- Alberto Giacometti, Hands Holding the Void (Invisible Object).[13] (1934)
- Yves Klein, Le Vede (The Void) (1958) and "Leap Into the Void" (1960).[14]
- Lee Ufan, Marking Infinity (2011).[15]
Music
- Steve Roach, The Magnificent Void (1996).
- The Beatles, "Tomorrow Never Knows" (1966).
- Hole, The Void (1995)
- Old Season, "The Void" (2017).
- Nine Inch Nails, "Into the Void" (1999).
- Love the Void" (2018).
- Klangos, "Vergessen" (2020).
- Pouya "Void" (2018)
- Townes Van Zandt "Nothin'" (1970).
- Melanie Martinez, "VOID" (2023).
Literature
- Albert Camus and absurdism.
- Jack Kerouac's Desolation Angels (1965).[16]
Video games
- The Void, released in 2008
- The Dishonored franchise.
- EverQuest contains a zone called "The Void".
- Hollow Knight by Team Cherry, with Void being one of the main elements.
- Dark Souls contains an analogous concept known as "the Abyss."
- Rain World contains an acidic sea called "The Void Sea" which is capable of halting reincarnation
- Risk of Rain 2 has a realm called The Void and several enemies and locations therein.
- Voidigo is entirely based on The Void and The Antivoid (likely Aether)
- DOOMfan-wad Void.wad also presents an early gaze into such a realm
Films
- Altered States, a 1980 American science-fiction horror film directed by Ken Russell.
- Crimes and Misdemeanors, a 1989 American existential comedy-drama film written and directed by Woody Allen.
- Nothing, a 2003 Canadian philosophical comedy-drama film directed by Vincenzo Natali.
- Beyond the Black Rainbow, a 2010 Canadian science fiction horror film written and directed by Panos Cosmatos.
- Jeremy Gillespie
See also
References
- ^ "Yves Klein, Harry Shunk, Janos Kender: Leap into the Void (1992.5112) | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art". Metmuseum.org. 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2012-11-06.
- ^ Morley, Simon. "The Sublime Unknown". academia.edu. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- DKfragment B 8.5–6, 8.22–24.
- Diogenes Laërtiusix.72.
- ^ "Continuity and the Void". Mathpages.com. Retrieved 2012-11-06.
- ^
Yonge, C. D.; Seddon, Keith (2007). A Summary of Stoic Philosophy: Zeno of Citium in Diogenes Laertius Book Seven (revised ed.). www.lulu.com. p. 142.
Apollophanes of Antioch... discussed the void in his book on physics.
- ^
Donald J. Zeyl, ed. (1997). Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy. Routledge (published 2013). p. 44.
Apollodorus (2nd cent., B.C.E.), of Seleucia...is cited for [asserting]... the cosmos is... surrounded by infinite void.
- Diogenes Laërtius, Lives of the Eminent Philosophers(tr. R. Hicks), Book VII (140), tr. R. Hicks
- ^ Isaac Newton, The Third Book of Opticks (1718).
- ISBN 9780191607714. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
- ^ Siegel, Ethan. "Empty space has more energy than everything in the Universe, combined". Science Blogs. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
- ^ "Marina Abramović". jmcohen.com. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
- ^ "The Collection | Alberto Giacometti. Hands Holding the Void (Invisible Object). 1934 (cast c. 1954-55)". MoMA. Retrieved 2012-11-06.
- ^ "Yves Klein, Harry Shunk, Janos Kender: Leap into the Void (1992.5112) | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art". Metmuseum.org. 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2012-11-06.
- ^ "Lee Ufan". Artnews.org. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ISBN 0595407811. Retrieved August 22, 2012.