ABSTRACT
TheresultofParmenides'theory-thatrealityisoneunchangeableblock, andthatthechangeableworldofmortalsisanillusion-isnotonly unacceptable.Notonlydoesitclashwithcommonsense;itisclearlyabsurd. Accordingly,Parmenideswasscoffedatbythefewwhotookanynoticeofhis boldtheory.Some,wehear,evencalledhimamadman.Andyet,this madmansucceededinthrowingaspelluponusscepticalandreluctant rationalists;uponWesterntheologiansaswellasuponWesternscientists. Howcanweexplainthis?WhereinliesParmenides'achievement?
