ANAXIMENES, of Miletus, Greek philosopher in the latter
half of the 6th century, was probably a younger contemporary
of
Anaximander, whose pupil or friend he is said to have
been. He held that the air, with its variety of contents, its
universal presence, its vague associations in popular fancy
with the phenomena of life and growth, is the source of all that
exists. Everything is air at different degrees of density, and
under the influence of heat, which expands, and of cold, which
contracts its volume, it gives rise to the several phases of
existence. The process is gradual, and takes place in two
directions, as heat or cold predominates. In this way was
formed a broad disk of earth, floating on the circumambient air.
Similar condensations produced the sun and stars; and the flaming
state of these bodies is due to the velocity of their motions.
Initial text from 1911 encyclopedia -- Please update as needed
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