Parmenides and Heraclitus

This paper looks at two Greek philosophers, Heraclitus, and Parmenides. It examines their different theories as to how the universe was created, understanding of the universe, 'way of truth, ' 'way of opinion ' and the third way. The author explains that Parmenides, who came after Heraclitus, addressed part of his writings as a refutation of Heraclitus? views. He objected both to Heraclitus? view of the universe and how Heraclitus felt people could gain knowledge of it.
From the Paper:
"While we have discussed what both men see as the make up of the material world, it is equally important to take up how each man felt he could know what he knows about the universe. Mimicking a bit the structure of Parmenides? own writings, this section covers the "way of truth," "the way of opinion," and then directly addresses Parmenides critique of Heraclitus. Heraclitus used "logos" in multiple ways. The first, discussed above, is as the ordering principle of the universe. However, the most common use of "logos" at the time of Heraclitus ' writing was "Word." Heraclitus felt strongly that our ability to use and understand language is the same ability that allows us to understand and describe the world. So "logos" is both the actual order of the universe as well as the means of our ability to understand it." Abstract
Socrates ' views are analyzed by studying a conversation between Socrates, Cephalus, his son Polemarchus and his followers. The author explains how Socrates enters into a philosophical dialogue with several different individuals who attempt to set down a firm definition of justice. Socrates then sets out to test and challenge their definitions through his method of questioning and counter-examples in an attempt to arrive at a more secure definition of justice, that which cannot be refuted.

From the Paper
"Cephalus first raises the idea of justice with Socrates and then passes the debate on to his son, Polemarchus, to carry forward. In line with his father