A PHILOSOPHY OF THE FOUR-DIMENSIONAL SPACE-TIME
The Worldview of Relative Simultaneity (MURAYAMA Akira)
CHAPTER II The Problems of Continuity and Contradiction
8. Zeno’s Thoughts and Einstein
The belief is that Zeno invented a series of paradoxes to support Parmenidēs' idea that "all things can be reduced to one." In contrast, I suspect that Einstein was not at all interested in Parmenidēs' ideas, but the worldview of four-dimensional space-time represented by his theory of relativity can be interpreted to a certain extent as the idea that all things can be reduced to one. The interpretation can be that all things exist as an expansion of four-dimensional space-time. The movement of objects is produced just by our senses and the truth is that there is only one four-dimensional world. The question is if Einstein completed Parmenidēs' ideas.
From the perspective of the theory of relativity, all things may be reduced to one, but all things have many aspects that can be divided into innumerable numbers. Essentially, we can no longer know what Parmenidēs meant by that and in what context he presented this idea. Therefore, this argument is meaningless for now.
In addition, with respect to the existence of four-dimensional space-time, Parmenidēs' idea is used to express four-dimensionalism (block-universe theory) on the existence of space-time, whereas the idea of Hērakleitos (540-480 B.C.), who is believed to have claimed that "everything flows," is used to represent three-dimensionalism (presentism). However, four-dimensionalism does not totally deny the idea that everything flows. Four-dimensionalism confronts three-dimensionalism over how to interpret the flowing of everything. This point should not be misunderstand. These arguments should be separated from Parmenidēs' and Hērakleitos' thinking.
Zeno joined a group planning to challenge the tyrant Nearchos, but the plot was discovered and Zeno was tortured. According to one of the legends about him, Zeno said that he would name an accomplice. When the king leaned over so his ear was close to Zeno's mouth, Zeno bit the king's ear. The belief is that Zeno held the king's ear between his teeth until Zeno had been stabbed and was dead. This incident makes us feel Zeno's extremely strong will in holding on to his thoughts. It is possible that Zeno had a profound ideological background of which we know nothing. Probably, he at least did not just play at logical riddles.
One thing that catches my attention: it is the fact that while holding on to the static idea that "all things may be reduced to one and there can never be movements," Zeno was committed to such ferocious political movement. I wonder how his burning passion was related to Parmenidēs' thoughts. I wonder whether I should consider it his inconsistent way of thinking or whether I should consider that his political passion could be seen in his thoughts. Certainly, Einstein was also linked to politics. He was put in a situation in which he could not avoid being involved in politics. This linking did not stem from his theory of relativity, the quantum theory or statistical dynamics. By the same token, Zeno, who had a strong sense of justice, just happened to be involved in a desperate political situation. This kind of situation can happen. A bad habit for a philosophically-oriented man is to interpret everything according to consistency in thought. However, I feel it undeniable that Zeno's philosophical ideas were closely linked with Parmenidēs' thoughts. Of course, we can no longer confirm if my interpretation is correct.
For thousands of years Zeno has been known for his notable paradoxes, but his true intentions remain unknown.