Philosophers Quotes Analysis

I will tell you of a twofold process. At one time it [i.e., the cosmos] grew together to be one only out of many, at another it parted to pieces so as to be many instead of one. Fire and Water and Earth and the mighty height of Air. And also, apart from these, dreaded Strife of equal weight to each, and Love in their midst, equal in length and breadth….All these elements are equal and of the same age in their creation. But each presides over its own area, and each has its own character, and they dominate in turn in the course of time.

What does this quote mean? And specifically the text listed below.

And also, apart from these, dreaded Strife of equal weight to each, and Love in their midst, equal in length and breadth…. mean and what

Does the passage fit into any of the common theories of metaphysics you explored earlier (Idealism, Materialism, Mysticism, Monism, Dualism)?

Second question

Of the first philosophers, most thought that the principles which pertained to the qualities of matter were the only principles of all things…. Yet they did not all agree as to the number and the nature of these principles. Thales, the founder of this type of philosophy, said the principle is water (for which reason he declared that the earth rests on water). Perhaps he got this notion from seeing that the nutrition of all things is moist, and that heat itself is generated from the moist and kept alive by it (and that from which they come to be is a principle of all things). Perhaps he also got his notion from the fact that the seeds of all things have a moist nature, and that water is the origin of the nature of moist things.

The first sentence Of the first philosophers, most thought that the principles which pertained to the qualities of matter were the only principles of all things…. Yet they did not all agree as to the number and the nature of these principles. What does it mean?

I think it means early believed the principles related to the quality of matter applied to everything. For example, plants are made of cells however according to the principles of matter it was made from atoms. When they say they did not agree to the number or nature does that mean, does it mean they did not agree how many principles of matter there were and the nature of matter.

In addition, when they state Perhaps he got this notion from seeing that the nutrition of all things is moist, and that heat itself is generated from the moist and kept alive by it (and that from which they come to be is a principle of all things).

Does he mean that everything requires water (which has a moist nature). I don’t know what it means heat itself is generated from the moist and kept alive by it (and that from which they come to be is a principle of all things). Can I have an example?

Does the passage fit into any of the common theories of metaphysics you explored earlier (Idealism, Materialism, Mysticism, Monism, Dualism)?