Middle Ages it is the time of over one and a half thousand years between the beginning of the 5-th century and the 15-th century. The special characteristic of this period of time is quite a big restrain of scientific notions' development ( also in atomistics ). After many attainments by Greek philosophers, there is a lack of successes in atomistics in that time. Only few courageous thinkers took up a challenge of researching microstructure. Most philosophers recognised Aristotle for the greatest authority including also his opinion on matter's constitution.
Many attainments of ancient culture were transferred into Arabian countries, and that was the case with atomistics philosophy, too.
Mutakallimuns , 'The people of the word', were a philosophical and religion group active in Islamic countries between the 9-th and the 11-th centuries. They tried to explain religion rationally. Their basis was atomistics because in their opinion it was not against Koran. Atoms were to be the components of all. With God's help they could combine creating a new substance. Atoms were homogeneous; different only in random traits. Atoms were influencing things made of them. 'The people of the word' were followers of determinism. Everything depended on atoms and Providence, i. e. Divine will, direct cause of atoms' movement and their characteristics. In that case human's life as consisted of atoms was also depended on Providence will.
In the same time, but in Europe, school of Chartres began developed. It was the institution created to serve not theoretical science. Works of ancient scientists were studied there with special emphasis on Democritus's atomistics.
Wilhelm from Conches (1080?-1145 A.D.), outstanding theorist of Chartres school, agreed with Democritus that would consisted of simple, indivisible, elusive to senses particles, that one can acquaint only by theoretical considerations.
Middle Ages didn't make any important change in the understanding of world's microstructure. Works of ancient atomists were rarely read. Most thinkers in Europe as well as in Islamic countries considered theological problems. Enlightened people, like Wilhelm from Conches, were even called heretics. But before long came the change. The time of great physicists has come. They were the ones to change the view of world and to begin the contemporary science.
If you want to read about the 16-th and 17-th centuries atomists click here:
THE 16-TH AND 17-TH CENTURIES
If you want to read about ancient atomists click here:
ANCIENT
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