<Tr> <Td> Eleatic cosmology </Td> <Td> Parmenides (c. 515 BC) </Td> <Td> Finite and spherical in extent </Td> <Td> The Universe is unchanging, uniform, perfect, necessary, timeless, and neither generated nor perishable . Void is impossible . Plurality and change are products of epistemic ignorance derived from sense experience . Temporal and spatial limits are arbitrary and relative to the Parmenidean whole . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Biblical cosmology </Td> <Td> Genesis creation narrative </Td> <Td> Earth floating in infinite "waters of chaos" </Td> <Td> The Earth and the Heavens form a unit within infinite "waters of chaos"; the "firmament" keeps out the outer "chaos" - ocean . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Atomist universe </Td> <Td> Anaxagoras (500--428 BC) & later Epicurus </Td> <Td> Infinite in extent </Td> <Td> The universe contains only two things: an infinite number of tiny seeds (atoms) and the void of infinite extent . All atoms are made of the same substance, but differ in size and shape . Objects are formed from atom aggregations and decay back into atoms . Incorporates Leucippus' principle of causality: "nothing happens at random; everything happens out of reason and necessity". The universe was not ruled by gods . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Pythagorean universe </Td> <Td> Philolaus (d . 390 BC) </Td> <Td> Existence of a "Central Fire" at the center of the Universe . </Td> <Td> At the center of the Universe is a central fire, around which the Earth, Sun, Moon and planets revolve uniformly . The Sun revolves around the central fire once a year, the stars are immobile . The earth in its motion maintains the same hidden face towards the central fire, hence it is never seen . First known non-geocentric model of the Universe . </Td> </Tr>

The study of the earth and the universe around it