Stoic Theory of Mixtures in Sellars’ Stoicism

by Corry Shores
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Stoic Theory of Mixtures

in

John Sellars

Stoicism

Ch.4 Stoic Physics

Stoics hold that two things can be mixed with one another in three different ways.

(1) Juxtaposition: mixed parts remain distinct and independent despite their proximity: “grains of the two entities are mixed together but remain distinct from one another, as in the case of salt and sugar mixed together in a bowl.” (Sellars 88d)

(2) Fusion: parts are mixed, lose their independence, but not their identity, and form a composite: “a new entity is created out of the two enti- | ties, which cease to exist independently, as when using a number of ingredients when cooking.” (Sellars 88-89)

(3) Total blending: parts mix together homogenously while maintaining individual properties, as one can still be extracted from the mixture: “the two entities are mixed together to the point that every part of the mixture contains both of the original entities, yet each of the original entities retains its own distinctive properties and can in theory be extracted from the mixture. For instance, it is reported that if one mixes wine and water in a glass it is possible to extract the wine out of the mixture by using a sponge soaked in oil – and this has been supported by experimentation (Stobaeus 1,155,8–11 with Sorabji 2004: 298–9). Although the wine and water are completely mixed, in a way that the grains of salt and sugar are not, it is still possible to separate the two liquids.” (Sellars 89)

Total blending also implies that were one to put a drop of wine into the sea, it will distribute itself into every part of the sea. (Sellars 89)

In totally blended mixtures, (a) the two original entities are destroyed in created the third new entity, the mixture, and yet (b) “this new entity contains within it the qualities of the two original entities, and so it is possible to extract the original entities from the mixture (in a way that is not possible in the case of fusion, the second kind of mixture).” (Sellars 89)

From the original text [the following is quotation]:

The Stoics’ own theory of mixture is relevant here. They suggest that two material entities might be mixed together in three different ways (see Alexander, Mixt. 216,14–217,2). The first of these is “juxtaposition”, in which grains of the two entities are mixed together but remain distinct from one another, as in the case of salt and sugar mixed together in a bowl. The second is “fusion”, in which a new entity is created out of the two enti- | -ties, which cease to exist independently, as when using a number of ingredients when cooking. The third the Stoics call “total blending”, in which the two entities are mixed together to the point that every part of the mixture contains both of the original entities, yet each of the original entities retains its own distinctive properties and can in theory be extracted from the mixture. For instance, it is reported that if one mixes wine and water in a glass it is possible to extract the wine out of the mixture by using a sponge soaked in oil – and this has been supported by experimentation (Stobaeus 1,155,8–11 with Sorabji 2004: 298–9). Although the wine and water are completely mixed, in a way that the grains of salt and sugar are not, it is still possible to separate the two liquids. One slightly paradoxical consequence of this theory of total blending that the Stoics appear to have accepted was the thought that if one added a single drop of wine to the sea then that single drop of wine would have to mix with every part of the sea, in effect stretching itself out over a vast area (see DL 7.151). The Stoics described this third kind of mixture as a process in which the two original entities are destroyed and a new third entity, the mixture, is created. However, this new entity contains within it the qualities of the two original entities, and so it is possible to extract the original entities from the mixture (in a way that is not possible in the case of fusion, the second kind of mixture). [Sellars 88-89]

From:

Sellars, John. Stoicism. Durham: Acumen, 2006.