Heraclitus versus ParmenidesAs we all know, there have been many different philosophies throughout the world, but the most popular philosophy that had the most impact on the United States would have to be that of the Ancient Greeks. There were over 100 thoughtful philosophers working together to develop their philosophy and contributing to its realization. From time to time, however, they disagreed, like Heraclitus and Parmenides. Even though Heraclitus and Parmenides were similar in many ways and both agreed that the universe can be reduced to a single thing, they still disagreed on what exactly that single thing was. Heraclitus was born around 540-480 BC (John Chaffee-p. 234) and he was one of the most influential pre-Socratic philosophers in Greek history. His importance is indisputable even if all we have of his work are only fragments of material. However, his philosophy has a very clear essence and purpose. He believed that the ever-changing world around us is held together by logos, flow and fire, all things one. These are the most fundamental and enduring ideas of Heraclitus and the ancient Greeks. Heraclitus argued that everything can change to the opposite and be caught in a never-ending cycle of change. He believed that constancy was the logos; a unifying principle consisting of the “balance of opposites” (Classical Wisdom Weekly). According to Heraclitus, the logos is the reason for the existence of the world, the “formula” (James Fieser), the truth and the key to nature. What exactly are logos? “It is an objective law-like principle that governs the universe and is possible (but difficult) for humans to understand” (John Chaffee-p.234). He stated that: “Although the logos It's like I said, the men are still in the middle of the paper. According to Parmenides, true knowledge is not accessible through the senses but through reason alone. Parmenides therefore believed that the senses are deceptive. Now that we know the theories of our two philosophers, Heraclitus and Parmenides seem to be in opposing camps: one affirms becoming and change, the other denies them. They both agreed that the universe can be reduced to one thing, but that one thing was obviously very different. For Parmenides, it was above all a question of truly being “the One”. It is complete and imperishable behind the appearance of change. Parmenides conceived eternal and immutable being as the only reality. However, “The One” for Heraclitus was a circular path of change: being transforms into non-being, life transforms into death, eternal transformation. In their different ways, both philosophers struggled to save eternal being from the flux of appearance and change..