THE SCHOOL OF ATHENS: Focus on Zeno

There are two famous Zenos, Zeno of Citium (334 - 262 BC) and the more well-known Zeno of Elea (c. 470 BC - ?), who is pictured here.  Zeno of Elea was a disciple of Parmenides who sought to support with more potent arguments his mentor's unusual claim that there is no change. The most famous of these arguments are called "Zeno's Paradoxes." According to the paradox of the race, for example, a runner will never finish a race.  The reason is that she first must traverse half of the course, then half of the remaining course, then half of the remaining part, and so on ad infinitum. As a result the runner will never cross the original finish line. Zeno concludes that the runner only appears to move and cross the finish line and that there really is no motion. If this sort of paradox intrigues you, take some philosophy to learn more.